Problem: Vague syntax from the book Battlefield of the Mind.

Question

Dear users,

I have recently bought a book "Battlefield of the Mind" which is written by Joyce Meyer. Anyway, when I have found this vague syntax to me, I don't understand "...whom he really liked in his early high school years who rejected him for another boy." Please help me to understand what this means. Thanks.

Elaborate this syntax regarding my question: " And there was a girl whom he really liked in his early high school years who rejected him for another boy."

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

This is an example of two relative clauses both modifying the same noun.

There was a girl. He really liked her (the girl). She (the girl) rejected him for another boy.

CJ

Anonymous52111 · Answer

CalifJimThis is an example of two relative clauses both modifying the same noun.

There was a girl. He really liked her (the girl). She (the girl) rejected him for another boy.

CJ

Sorry, I haven't been able to specify what I meant by not understand... However, I have understood what this sentence by using my own common sense, but not fully understand about how this sentence really structured is. E.g. "...whom he really liked in his early high school years who rejected him for another boy." As you see this, what I don't understand is that words: whom and who. Do you know why? Because I tend to understand like this syntax: That boy in the red shirt who always like to eat sandwiches. Now, you see this "...boy...who..." [please correct my sentence if it have been found error(s), thanks]. Again, compare to this sentence regarding another sentence, "...whom he...his...who...him..." I hope you will understand my problem of this. Thanks.

CalifJim · Answer

Note:

There was a girl. He really liked her (the girl). She (the girl) rejected him for another boy.

whom is used to replace an object. He liked her. >>> ... whom he liked
who is used to replace a subject. She rejected him.>>> ...who rejected him.

The boy (he likes to eat sandwiches) >> The boy who likes to eat sandwiches (subject in bold)
The boy (Inez invited him to the party) >> The boy whom Inez invited to the party (subject in bold)

So basically use whom if it's followed by the subject of the relative clause; otherwise use who.

whom I like
whom the students admire
whom we love
whom they knew
whom our parents visit often

but

who likes me
who admires the paintings
who loves us
who knows the answer
who visited their cousins

CJ

Anonymous52111 · Answer

CalifJimNote:
There was a girl. He really liked her (the girl). She (the girl) rejected him for another boy.

whom is used to replace an object. He liked her. >>> ... whom he liked
who is used to replace a subject. She rejected him.>>> ...who rejected him.

The boy (he likes to eat sandwiches) >> The boy who likes to eat sandwiches (subject in bold)
The boy (Inez invited him to the party) >> The boy whom Inez invited to the party (subject in bold)

So basically use whom if it's followed by the subject of the relative clause; otherwise use who.

whom I like
whom the students admire
whom we love
whom they knew
whom our parents visit often

but

who likes me
who admires the paintings
who loves us
who knows the answer
who visited their cousins

CJ

Thank you, Califjim. These are very good examples and very good explantions. I'm truly appreciated...

Problem: Vague syntax from the book Battlefield of the Mind.

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