Both “who else” and “whom else” are correct — but which one to use depends on the grammatical role the phrase plays in your sentence.
“Who else” is used when the phrase is the subject of a sentence, while “whom else” is used when it functions as the object of a verb or preposition. In casual speech, who else is almost always the natural choice, while whom else belongs mainly in formal writing.
This guide explains the difference between who else and whom else, the rule behind the choice, and the one test that makes it easy every time.
The Core Rule — Subject vs Object
The entire who vs whom distinction comes down to grammatical role:
- Who = subject pronoun (like he, she, they) — performs the action
- Whom = object pronoun (like him, her, them) — receives the action or follows a preposition
This same rule applies to who else and whom else — with the word else simply adding the meaning of “in addition to” or “besides.”
The Him/Her Test
The fastest way to choose between who else and whom else:
Substitute he/she or him/her into the answer.
- If he or she fits → use who else
- If him or her fits → use whom else
When to Use “Who Else”
Use “who else” when the phrase is the subject of the sentence — the one performing the action.
Example: “Who else wants pizza?” → Answer: “He wants pizza.” ✅ (He fits = subject pronoun = who else)
More examples:
Common uses of “who else”:
- “Who else is joining us tonight?”
- “Who else saw what happened?”
- “Who else could have done this?”
When to Use “Whom Else”
Use “whom else” when the phrase is the object of a verb or preposition — when someone or something is acting upon the person being referred to.
Example: “Whom else did you invite?” → Answer: “I invited him.” ✅ (Him fits = object pronoun = whom else)
More examples:
Common uses of “whom else”:
- “Whom else did you speak to about this?”
- “To whom else was the invitation sent?”
- “Whom else should we consider for the position?”
The Preposition Rule
When “else” follows a preposition — to, for, with, about, from — whom is grammatically required in formal writing:
- “To whom else should I address this?” ✅
- “With whom else did she meet?” ✅
- “For whom else was the gift intended?” ✅
Saying “to who else” or “with who else” is technically incorrect by strict grammar standards — though it is common and widely accepted in casual speech.
Who Else or Whom Else Comparison Table
Formal vs Casual — The Practical Reality
In strict grammatical terms, whom else is required whenever the phrase is an object. But in everyday speech and informal writing, who else has become the dominant form — even when whom else would technically be correct.
Most native speakers naturally say:
- “Who else did you tell?” (casual — grammatically whom is correct here)
- “Who else should we invite?” (casual — same situation)
This is widely accepted in conversational English and informal writing. Whom else is more often heard in formal presentations, legal documents, academic writing, and careful journalism.
Practical Guideline: Who Else vs Whom Else
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Memory trick:
- Who else → “He/she else” → subject doing the action
- Whom else → “Him/her else” → object receiving the action
- After a preposition → almost always whom else
- In casual conversation → who else is almost always fine
FAQs — Who Else or Whom Else
Do you say who else or whom else?
Both are grammatically possible. “Who else” is correct when it is the subject of a sentence — “Who else is coming?” “Whom else” is correct when it is the object — “Whom else did you call?” In everyday casual speech, who else is the natural choice in nearly all situations.
Does anyone still use “whom” correctly?
Yes — especially in formal, academic, and professional writing. In formal contexts, careful writers consistently use whom after prepositions (to whom, for whom) and as an object pronoun. In casual conversation, who has largely replaced whom — but whom remains the grammatically precise choice in formal situations.
Who vs whom — example sentences?
Who (subject): “Who called?” = “She called.” ✅ Whom (object): “Whom did you call?” = “I called her.” ✅ Who else (subject): “Who else knows?” = “He knows.” ✅ Whom else (object): “Whom else did you tell?” = “I told them.” ✅
What does “who else” mean?
“Who else” means “which other person or people” — asking about additional individuals beyond those already mentioned. Example: “I invited Maria and James — who else should we include?”
Conclusion
Both “who else” and “whom else” are correct — the right choice depends entirely on grammatical role. Who else is the subject pronoun form — use it when the phrase performs the action. Whom else is the object pronoun form — use it when the phrase receives the action or follows a preposition.
In everyday conversation, who else is the natural and universally accepted choice. In formal writing — particularly after prepositions — whom else signals grammatical precision and care. Apply the him/her test every time you are unsure and you will always make the right call.
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