text: can anyone tell me an easy way to remember  how to know whether to use the word "who" or "whom" in a sentence. i"m homeschooling my 15 yr old and we need some help. thanks. :-) for "who" substitute "he" or "they" -- these are clearly used for the "subject" of the sentence or the clause, the  person "initiating" the action of the verb for "whom" substitute "him" or "them" - these are clearly the "object" of the clause, commonly used with prepositions or "receiving" the action of the verb  if you substitute using he/they or him/them, does the sentence sound right? if not try the other case.