Who Was Him?

ForumsGrammar & Sentence Structure
  •  0
  •  1,343
+0
Hi there!

I need your help this time with the sentence: Who was him? Is it correct? or should I say "he". I know that it is said but I don't know if it's correct.

Thanks a lot!
1 2
Comments  
It should be "Who was he?"
Mr WordyIt should be "Who was he?"


However, I've heard: "Who was him?" Why is it not correct?
Students: We have free audio pronunciation exercises.
Dido
However, I've heard: "Who was him?" Why is it not correct?

I'm not really sure. After all, "It was him" is OK. Even so, "Who was him?" sounds completely wrong to me. Have you heard this from native speakers? I'm a BrE speaker; perhaps it's more acceptable in other varieties of English? Any AmE speakers around?
Well, the person who said "Who was him?" was American. Maybe he was illiterate, I don't know. Thanks for answering anyway,

Bye for now
DidoWho was him? Is it correct?
No. (AmE)

CJ
Students: Are you brave enough to let our tutors analyse your pronunciation?
DidoI've heard: "Who was him?" Why is it not correct?
Question: Think of it this way: You would not say "who am me?" but "who am I", right? "who" is not the subject in this case. likewise, you wouldn't you say "who are them" is correct; would you?

I am not sure if this logic works for you.

Question: Who is your boss?
Answer: John is my boss.
Reciprocally, who is he? he is my boss.
dimsumexpress
DidoI've heard: "Who was him?" Why is it not correct?
Question: Think of it this way: You would not say "who am me?" but "who am I", right? "who" is not the subject in this case. likewise, you wouldn't you say "who are them" is correct; would you?

I am not sure if this logic works for you.

Question: Who is your boss?

Answer: John is my boss.

Reciprocally, who is he? he is my boss.

Thanks, your answer is very clarifying. Thanks, thanks a lot!

DidoWho was him? Is it correct?
If you actually heard this, it occurs to me that what was actually asked was probably this:

Who was "him"?

It asks you to tell the name of the person earlier referred to with the pronoun "him".
This kind of question is extremely unusual, and it goes like this:

-- Susan saw him yesterday and gave him the message.
-- Who was "him"? (Who were you referring to when you used the word "him"?)
-- Oh, I thought you knew who I was talking about. It was Robert.

Unless this very unusual situation comes up, you cannot use "Who was "him"?"

CJ
Site Hint: Check out our list of pronunciation videos.
Show more

Answer this Question

Guides