The Nolan Substitution
A method to decide whether to use who or whom in a sentence by substituting in the pronouns he and him into the sentence.
If the subject can be replaced with he or she, use who; If the question can be answered with him or her, use whom.
If the subject can be replaced with he or she, use who; If the question can be answered with him or her, use whom.
The Nolan Substitution method examples
It was for him/her (right)
It was for he/she (wrong)
Whom was it for? (Correct question)
He/she opened the box (correct)
Him/her opened the box (wrong)
Who opened the box (correct question)
It was for him/her (right)
It was for he/she (wrong)
Whom was it for? (Correct question)
He/she opened the box (correct)
Him/her opened the box (wrong)
Who opened the box (correct question)