Who Else or Whom Else? The Real Rule, the Modern Reality, and How to Choose

When writing or speaking in English, tiny decisions like choosing who else or whom else can lead to major confusion. Even native speakers often pause mid-sentence, wondering which form is correct. The secret is knowing grammar rules, context, and formal correctness while keeping a natural flow. Whether you’re drafting an important email, sending a report, or talking in everyday conversation, using the right phrase helps your writing stay clear and professional. These tiny phrases are often at the heart of a never-ending tug-of-war between textbook grammar and real-world usage.

In practical use, who else tends to dominate everyday speech and casual communication, while whom else appears in formal writing or emails where you want to impress and follow strict rules. Paying attention to sentence structure, subject and object relationships, and prepositions is essential. For instance, in “I will send the report to who else,” the phrase works naturally in spoken English, while a rigid, formally correct version might use whom else in professional contexts. Confident speakers often loop through the sentence, choosing what sounds natural yet remains technically correct.

A simple method is to say the sentence out loud, notice if it flows, and check if it fits the context. Correctly using who else and whom else depends on practice and trusting your instinct over guesswork. Over time, real-world usage, everyday conversation, and rewriting emails make this choice automatic. By understanding the differences, evolving rules, and the grammar behind phrases, you can write and speak confidently, whether clarifying, explaining, or polishing off a professional email, ensuring your communication is simple, natural, and understood.

Quick Answer: Who Else or Whom Else?

If you’re in a hurry, here’s the short version:

• “Who else” works in almost every sentence, especially in conversation, informal writing, and most professional settings.
• “Whom else” is technically correct in some formal contexts, but it rarely appears in everyday speech.

Most native speakers naturally use “who else”, and trying to force “whom else” often sounds awkward.

The Grammar You Must Know

Subject vs. Object: The Only Rule That Matters

To understand who vs. whom, you must first grasp the subject-object distinction:

• Subject: Performs the action in a sentence. Example: She runs every morning.
• Object: Receives the action or is affected by it. Example: I saw her yesterday.

In short, who = subject, whom = object. This rule underpins almost all decisions about “who else” and “whom else.”

Who vs. Whom: The Traditional Rule Explained

• Use who when the pronoun is the subject of a clause.
  • Who else is coming to the meeting?
• Use whom when the pronoun is the object of a verb or preposition.
  • To whom else should I send the report?

Many learners struggle because English allows flexibility in spoken and informal writing, but the grammatical distinction remains consistent.

The Substitution Test That Actually Works

The He / Him Test

Here’s a simple trick: replace the pronoun with he/him.

• If he fits, use who.
• If he fits, use whom.

Examples:

• Who/Whom else wants cake? → Does he want cake? ❌ / Him else wants cake? ❌ → Actually, “who else” works because it’s a subject of the question.
• To who/whom else should I give this? → Should I give this? ✅ → Correct: whom else

This substitution method cuts through memorization and clarifies the correct choice.

Examples That Make the Rule Stick

Sentence	Correct Form	Why
___ else called during the meeting?	Who else	Subject of the question
I spoke with ___ else about the project.	Whom else	Object of the verb “spoke with”
To ___ else should we send the invitation?	Whom else	Object of preposition “to”
___ else wants to join the game?	Who else	Subject of clause

Does “Else” Change Anything?

Short answer: No.

The word “else” is an adverb that simply modifies the pronoun. It doesn’t change whether the pronoun functions as a subject or object.

Side-by-Side Examples

• Who else is coming? → Subject + “else”
• Whom else did you see? → Object + “else”

Even when “else” is present, the he/him substitution test still works perfectly.

Who Else vs. Whom Else in Real Sentence Structures

Direct Questions

These are simple questions where the pronoun is clearly the subject or object.

• Who else wants pizza? (Subject)
• Whom else did you invite? (Object)

Embedded Questions

Sometimes, questions appear inside longer sentences:

• I wonder who else might attend the seminar. → Subject role → who else
• She couldn’t decide whom else to consult. → Object role → whom else

Prepositions and Implied Objects

When a pronoun follows a preposition, whom else is technically correct:

• To whom else should I reach out?
  In casual speech, most people say:
• Who else should I reach out to?

While less formal, the second example reads naturally.

What Native Speakers Actually Say

Everyday Spoken English

In conversation, “who else” dominates. It feels natural and effortless.

Examples:

• Who else wants coffee?
• Who else is joining us tonight?

Informal Writing

Emails, texts, and social media captions almost always use who else:

• Hey, who else is coming to the party?
• Who else thinks this is hilarious?

Trying to insert whom else in these contexts can make writing feel stiff or overthought.

Formal English vs. Natural English

When Grammar Still Prefers “Whom”

Formal writing often expects traditional rules:

• Legal documents: To whom it may concern.
• Academic essays: Whom else should be cited in this study?

When Using “Whom Else” Sounds Forced

• Everyday emails or blogs
• Casual conversation
• Social media posts

In these cases, “who else” preserves clarity and flow.

What Grammar Authorities and Linguists Agree On

Modern style guides and linguists largely agree:

• Chicago Manual of Style: Prefers “who” in most cases unless formal context demands “whom.”
• Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of English Usage: Notes that “whom” is declining in spoken English.
• Oxford English Dictionary: Treats “whom” as technically correct but often unnecessary in modern usage.

The consensus: use “who else” unless you need strict formal correctness.

Language Change in Action

Why “Whom” Is Fading

• Spoken English favors simplicity and efficiency.
• Many formal grammar rules are relics of Latin influence.
• “Who” is versatile enough to cover subject and object roles in most contexts.

What Corpus Data Shows

• Google Ngram data indicates “who else” appears roughly 10 times more frequently than “whom else” in 21st-century English.
• Academic papers and formal documents still use “whom else” sparingly, mostly after prepositions.

How to Choose Without Overthinking

Use “Whom Else” Only When All Three Conditions Apply

• The sentence is highly formal.
• The pronoun is an object of a verb or preposition.
• The audience expects traditional grammar.

Use “Who Else” Everywhere Else

• Natural speech
• Casual writing
• Business communication (unless extremely formal)

This approach balances correctness with readability.

Sounding Natural While Staying Correct

Clarity Over Perfection

Readers care more about easy comprehension than hyper-correct grammar.

• Who else can solve this problem? ✅
• Whom else can solve this problem? ❌ (awkward in conversation)

Confidence Matters

Using “who else” confidently shows command of English. Overthinking “whom else” often leads to hesitation and weaker sentences.

Quick Decision Tools

One-Second Rule

• If it feels natural, it probably is. Use who else.
• For formal letters or academic work, check the object-subject position.

Mini Checklist

• Is it formal?
• Is it an object?
• Does the audience expect strict grammar?

If yes → whom else. Otherwise → who else.

Reference Table: Who Else vs. Whom Else

Context	Best Choice	Why It Works
Casual speech	Who else	Matches natural usage
Business email	Who else	Friendly, professional
Academic essay	Whom else	Object position, formal style
Social media	Who else	Conversational tone
Legal documents	Whom else	Traditional correctness

Visual Decision Tree: Who Else or Whom Else?

Step 1: Is the sentence formal? → Yes → Step 2 / No → Use who else
Step 2: Is the pronoun the object of a verb or preposition? → Yes → whom else / No → who else

This simple flowchart eliminates hesitation.

Real-World Case Studies

Business Email

• Hi team, who else will join the meeting tomorrow? → Friendly, clear, professional

Academic Essay

• Whom else should the research team consult to ensure accuracy? → Formal, precise, correct

Social Media Caption

• Who else loves this song? → Engaging, natural, conversational

Common Mistakes People Make

Typical Errors

• Using whom else everywhere to appear formal → Sounds stiff
• Avoiding both forms to be “safe” → Leads to awkward, vague writing

Why These Mistakes Happen

• Overemphasis on grammar school rules
• Fear of sounding incorrect
• Misunderstanding real English usage

Conclusion

Understanding when to use who else versus whom else can save you from confusion and make your English sound natural and professional. While who else dominates everyday speech and casual communication, whom else fits formal writing and situations where strict grammar rules matter. The key is paying attention to sentence structure, subject and object relationships, context, and trusting your instinct over guesswork. With practice, real-world examples, and awareness of evolving English usage, making the right choice becomes automatic, helping you communicate clearly, confidently, and effectively in writing and speech.

FAQs

Q1. What is the difference between who else and whom else?

Who else is used as a subject in a sentence, while whom else is used as an object, often following a preposition or verb.

Q2. Can I use who else in formal writing?

Yes, but it’s better to use whom else in formal writing, professional emails, or situations that require strict grammar correctness.

Q3. How do I know which one sounds natural?

Try saying the sentence out loud. If it flows naturally and fits the context, it’s correct. Trust your instinct.

Q4. Is whom else becoming outdated?

In everyday English, yes. Who else dominates in conversation, but whom else is still correct in formal contexts.

Q5. What’s a quick tip to remember the rule?

Remember: who else = subject, whom else = object, and always check sentence structure and prepositions before deciding.