whom

[Anonymous]

Hello :)

I'd like to ask about the variation of the question style.

Would you take a look at the following sentences?
1) Who was this CD produced by?
2) By whom was this CD produced?

3) Whom was this CD produced by?

I think 1) and 2) is correct. 2) is probably formal. However what I'd like to know is whether 3) is still grammatically acceptable or not. When you make a question sentence, do you sometimes use "whom" ? Or is "whom" obsolete in the question?

Thank you.

[Tdol]

I wouldn't say 3. Technically, you could argue that it is grammatically acceptable, but in practice it wouldn't be used.

[Casiopea]

Hello :)

I'd like to ask about the variation of the question style.

Would you take a look at the following sentences?
1) Who was this CD produced by?
2) By whom was this CD produced?

3) Whom was this CD produced by?

I think 1) and 2) is correct. 2) is probably formal. However what I'd like to know is whether 3) is still grammatically acceptable or not. When you make a question sentence, do you sometimes use "whom" ? Or is "whom" obsolete in the question?

Thank you.

Traditionally, the object wouldn't be separated from its modifier (e.g. by whom? => *Whom...by?). In Modern English 'Whom' is being replaced by 'Who'.

The passive is used when the subject is a) unknown or b) not important. To use the passive so as to emphasize the subject makes the subject a) known and b) important, which goes against the reasons the passive is used.

In terms of meaning, "Who(m) was this CD produced by?" is the same as "Who produced this CD?" The latter is grammatical; the former is odd.