Houston ESL Online Tutoring

"Who" or "Whom"?

"Who" is used with subjects; "whom" is used with objects.

Incorrect: "In a surprising decision, Naomi left her estate and her fortune, which is reported to be around $25 million dollars, to her husband, Larry Strickland, who she married in May 1989."

If we rewrote the meat of the sentence, we could say, "Naomi married Larry." "Larry" is the object of the verb "marry." Therefore, the sentence in the example should read, "In a surprising decision, Naomi left her estate and her fortune....to her husband, Larry Strickland, whoM she married in May 1989." ("Whom" is correct, not "who")

Correct: "Naomi married Larry, who still lives in Nashville." If we rewrote the information in the adjective clause about Larry, we could say, "Larry lives in Nashville." "Larry" acts as a subject. So, the correct word is "who."

Phrasal verbs -- verbs with prepositions that describe a single action -- are two separate words, not one. Examples: "set up," "pick up," "take out," etc. "Set up" (to arrange) ≠ "Setup" (an arrangement), for example.

Which is easier to eat: a huge, tall hamburger or a samller, "mini" hamburger? Obviously, a mini-hamburger, because it is smaller and more digestible, more "snackable," than a hamburger that you would need a giant mouth to bite into.

The same idea applies when it comes to writing and speaking English. Chopping up pieces of language into smaller "chunks" makes it easier for the writer or speaker to organize his or her ideas and easier for the intended audience receiving the message to understand the writer or speaker's ideas.

So, whether the writer or speaker is communicating through an email, Zoom meeting, or Power Point presentation, "smaller is simpler to understand, and simpler is better."

A general rule of thumb in writing is to keep sentences to 20 words or less. In Power Point presentations, which can be used in Zoom meetings, break up a dense paragraphs into bullet points so that the content of the paragraph is "snackable," as most people in business meetings like small, digestible (or "snackable") chunks of information. "Snackable" chunks of information are also easier for the speaker to remember in such meetings, which puts less stress on the speaker who is presenting the information.

In summary, keep your communication small and simple in order to make a big impact on your audience to whom you are writing or speaking.

The difference between "need" and "need to":

"need (something)"
"need to (do something)" or "need (someone) to (do something)"

Examples:

"I need money to fix my car." (need something)
"I need help fixing my bicycle." (need something)
Rule: need + noun (object) + (to do something/doing something).

"I need to save money to fix my car." (need to do something)
"I need someone to help me fix my bicycle." (need someone to do something)
Rule: need + (person) + TO + verb (action)

Incorrect/Wrong:

"I need go to the grocery store."
"I need call my friend."
>You must add "to" after "need."
>>need + to + verb
>>>need to go, need to call

The difference between "want" and "wish":

"Want" expresses a desire for something that seems realistic to do or get; it seems possible.
"Wish" expresses a desires for something that seems unrealistic to do or get, perhaps because circumstances won't allow it.

Examples:

"I want some chocolate." (You have money to buy chocolate.)
"She wants to go to Paris with her friends." (She dreams about going to Paris with her friends and believes one day she will be able to).

"I wish I could eat chocolate, but my doctor told me I can't."
"She wishes she could go to Paris with her friends, but she has to work instead."

The difference between "who" and "whom":

"Who" is used with subjects (in grammar terms).
"Whom" is used with objects (in grammar terms).

Examples:

I have a friend who lives in New York.
"Who" refers to the friend, the "he" or "she," which acts like a subject.

I talk to my friend in New York every day.
"Friend" receives the action of the verb "talk," so it is the "object" of the verb "talk."
Therefore, "whom" is used.
My friend, whom I talk with every day, is coming to visit me in August.
My friend from New York, with whom I talk every day, is coming to visit me in August.

The difference between "who" and "that":

"who" for people
"that" for things

Examples:

I have a friend who is an engineer.
My friend, who is an engineer, lives in New York.

I have a bicycle that is eight years old.
I have a bicycle that I have owned for eight years.
There is a restaurant near me that makes really good food.

Have you ever wondered, "How's my English?" Well, here's a chance to find out. Get a 1-hour, one-on-one, personalized evaluation with an expert. Check out the offer below. Make your appointment today.