Question

We knew who had been elected chairman, but we did not yet know __________ he had appointed to fill the various vacancies in the standing committee. (Points : 1)
who
whom

Answer 1

To figure this one out, rephrase temporarily like this: he had appointed ________.

Is it "he had appointed who"? Or " he had appointed whom"?

To figure *that* out, try substituting "he" or "him." If the correct word is "he," then the correct word is also "who." If the correct word is "him," then the correct word is also "whom." They play the same role in any sentence.

Answer 2

So it's a who

Answer 3

Would it be correct to say "he had appointed he"?

Answer 4

Or would it be correct to say "he had appointed him"?

Answer 5

He had appointed him

Answer 6

Right!

And so, because "who" and "whom" are treated exactly as are "he" and "him," the correct answer is "whom."