Hi there! I'm Dr. Grammar, a language enthusiast with years of experience exploring the intricacies of English. I'm here to help you navigate the often-confusing waters of grammar and usage. Let's dive into your question about "whom I am" versus "who I am."

## Unraveling the "Who" vs. "Whom" Puzzle

The age-old question of "who" versus "whom" trips up even the most seasoned writers. They are both pronouns, but they operate in different grammatical roles:

* "Who" functions as a subject, the one performing the action in a sentence. Think of it like the star of the show.
* "Whom" plays the role of an object, the receiver of the action. It's more of a supporting character.

So, how do you crack the code and choose the right pronoun? Here's the trick:


1. Identify the Clause: First, pinpoint the clause where your pronoun is working its magic. Is it the main clause, the star of the sentence? Or is it a subordinate clause, playing a supporting role?

2. The Pronoun's Role: Within its clause, is the pronoun acting as the subject, performing the action? Or is it the object, being acted upon?

Let's test it out with an example:

* **"The woman who stole the cookies is my neighbor."**
* In the clause "who stole the cookies," the pronoun "who" is the subject, performing the action of stealing.

* **"To whom did you give the cookies?"**
* In this case, the clause "to whom did you give the cookies" features "whom" as the object of the verb "give."

## The Case of "Who I Am"

Now, let's address your specific question: "whom I am" or "who I am"?

This phrase often pops up after forms of the verb "to be" (is, am, are, was, were). Here's the thing: **the verb "to be" acts as a linking verb.** It connects the subject to a noun or adjective that describes it. And here's the key takeaway: **Pronouns following linking verbs should be in the subject case.**

So, the grammatically correct version is "who I am." Let me illustrate:

* Correct: "I am not sure who I am anymore."
* Incorrect: "I am not sure whom I am anymore."

In this sentence, "who I am" is a noun clause acting as the object of the preposition "of." However, within that clause, "who" is correctly used because it is the subject of the verb "am."

## Exceptions to the Rule

While "who I am" is generally the way to go, there are a few exceptions where "whom" might make an appearance:

* Formal writing: In extremely formal contexts, you might stumble upon "whom" used after a preposition, even when the pronoun is technically the subject of the verb within its own clause. However, this usage is increasingly rare in modern English.
* Questions: In questions, if "who" is the object of a preposition and comes at the beginning of the sentence, "whom" is traditionally preferred, though "who" is becoming increasingly acceptable in informal contexts.

Let me know if you have any other grammar conundrums you'd like to unravel!
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And the suitable pronoun is (whom) in your sentence because the case is objective one .... The object case is used after a transitive verb. After a verb of being, such as in the example, the subject case is used. That would make, "I am who," correct.read more >>