This headline should really start out with, “Who gets…?”
I get it straight most of the time, but there are times when I have my doubts! So, let me make it easy for most of us to remember when to use “who” and when to use “whom” and how to tell the difference! Although my typical go-to source for writing is “Write Right” by Jan Venolia, I also found other useful online sources! (https://www.thoughtco.com/who-and-whom-1857114) (http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/who-versus-whom)
Here is my short and simple summary on the rules:
RULES
1. Who is the subject of a verb (the one doing the action).
E.g. Who is at the door?
Whom is the object of a verb (the one being acted upon).
E.g. Whom did you see at the door?
2. Substitute the pronouns he and him in a hypothetical question made from the sentence. If he sounds better, use who. If him sounds better, use whom. (To remember which goes with which, note that both him and whom end in “M” and therefore go together.
E.g. Whom do you love?
Do you love “him” works.
Do you love “he” does not!
3. Whom is used as the object of a preposition (to, for, of, before).
DISCLAIMER
The rules of writing have relaxed tremendously since the 1980’s. Few people are comfortable about when to use “whom” and therefore use “who” and remain unscathed. Sometimes when following the rules, whom can sound a bit too stiff and formal! Bottom line, look to whom you are writing. If you are trying to impress, then do your best in following the rules!
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