So, for whom exactly DOES the bell toll?

I don't know about you, but I always have to stop and ponder whether to use who or whom when I'm talking or writing. My answer to this perplexing problem is to banish that tricky little "m" and stick with who in every situation. Unfortunately, no one asked my opinion, so we trudge on and try to master the rules for these persnickety pronouns.

Let's see what the experts say.

The Chicago Manual of Style (5.56): "In the nominative case, who is used in two ways: (1) as the subject of a verb (Who washed the dishes today?); and (2) as a predicate nominative after a linking verb (It was who?). In the objective case, whom is used in two ways: (1) as the object of a verb (Whom did you see?); and (2) as the object of a preposition (For whom is this building named?)."

The Gregg Reference Manual (1061): "Who (or whoever) is the nominative form. Use who whenever he, she, they, I, or we could be substituted in the who clause. Whom (or whomever) is the objective form. Use whom whenever him, her, them, me or us could be substituted as the object of the verb or as the object of a preposition in the whom clause."

Patricia O'Conner, in her book Woe is I, puts it in plain terms: "Who does something (it's a subject, like he), and whom has something done to it (it's an object, like him)."

Two Web sites also offer practical tips on applying the above rules.

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/pronouns.htm#who
http://www.getitwriteonline.com/archive/062802.htm

Knowing the rules helps (and it's great for trivia games), but nothing beats practice for conquering troublesome grammar headaches. Therefore, let's try our hands at a little quiz.

1. The man (who, whom) you resemble works in the art department.
2. (Who, Whom) would you nominate for vice president?
3. Evidently, Mr. Jones was the one (who, whom) the stockholders elected.
4. Ms. Johnson was the one (who, whom) explained the new procedure.
5. (Who, Whom) was he thought to be?
6. (Who, Whom) placed the smallest order?
7. Is Mr. Bennett the person (who, whom) I should see?
8. Everyone thought that Ms. Marks, (who, whom) was retiring, was over 65.
9. Is it sometimes difficult to determine (who, whom) is ready for promotion?
10. I can't imagine (who, whom) you took me to be!

Now, check to see how many you answered correctly.
1) whom; 2) whom; 3) whom; 4) who; 5) who; 6) who; 7) whom; 8) who; 9) who; 10) whom

How did you do? Hopefully these exercises will help hone your who-whom skills (at least until they decide to take my advice and drop whom completely!