If you haven't met detective Adrian Monk yet, you need to check out this entertaining USA Network dramedy. I'm not sure when it comes on because we "tivo" everything and watch it when we're in the mood, but you can check the website.
In the episode we watched last evening, Natalie (Monk's trusty assistant) asked him about getting something certified. "Certified by who?" she said.
Monk, in his muttering way, reworded her question immediately--before answering her question. "Certified by whom?" he corrected.
Monk was pointing out that WHO is the SUBJECT pronoun and could not be used as the OBJECT pronoun after the preposition BY.
WHO is bringing the dessert?
WHO wrote this detailed report?
WHOM is the OBJECT pronoun, for use, in this case, after the preposition.
FOR WHOM was this position created?
BY WHOM were you given permission to attend?
Personally, I would simplify the second example here by making WHO the subject and getting rid of the prepositional phrase:
WHO gave you permission to attend?
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