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Usenet Posted 22 years ago
Usage
Question about 'whoever' vs. 'whomever'
What is the correct form?
"I want to meet whoever bought the painting."
-or-
"I want to meet whomever bought the painting."
On the one hand, the wh-ever word is in the subject position in the relative clause, suggesting 'whoever'. But it is the direct object of the main clause, suggesting 'whomever'.
I would probably use 'whoever' since 'whomever' is simply not part of my vocabulary, but I was wondering what is considered grammatically correct.
Thanks for your help.
"I want to meet whoever bought the painting."
-or-
"I want to meet whomever bought the painting."
On the one hand, the wh-ever word is in the subject position in the relative clause, suggesting 'whoever'. But it is the direct object of the main clause, suggesting 'whomever'.
I would probably use 'whoever' since 'whomever' is simply not part of my vocabulary, but I was wondering what is considered grammatically correct.
Thanks for your help.
Top answer
english: [nq:1]What is the correct form? " -or- "I want to meet whomever bought ... is simply not part of my vocabulary, but I was wondering what is considered grammatically correct.
- english: [nq:1]What is the correct form?
- " -or- "I want to meet whomever bought ...
- is simply not part of my vocabulary, but I was wondering what is considered grammatically correct.
- " The various forms of "whom" are all but dead which is why they are often used incorrectly.
- If the correct use of the "whom" forms are not native to you, I advise that you always use the "who" forms.
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6 Answers
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In our last episode,
(Email Removed), the lovely and talented fricaticative
broadcast on alt.usage.english:
[nq:1]What is the correct form? "I want to meet whoever bought the painting." -or- "I want to meet whomever bought ... is simply not part of my vocabulary, but I was wondering what is considered grammatically correct. Thanks for your help.[/nq]
It is "whoever." The whole clau
(Email Removed), the lovely and talented fricaticative
broadcast on alt.usage.english:
[nq:1]What is the correct form? "I want to meet whoever bought the painting." -or- "I want to meet whomever bought ... is simply not part of my vocabulary, but I was wondering what is considered grammatically correct. Thanks for your help.[/nq]
It is "whoever." The whole clau
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[nq:1]What is the correct form? "I want to meet whoever bought the painting." -or- "I want to meet whomever bought ... subject position in the relative clause, suggesting 'whoever'. But it is the direct object of the main clause, suggesting 'whomever'.[/nq]
'Whoever' is correct here, for the direct object of 'meet' is not 'who(m)ever', but rather 'whoever bought the painting' in its entirety.
'Whoever' is correct here, for the direct object of 'meet' is not 'who(m)ever', but rather 'whoever bought the painting' in its entirety.
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[nq:1]The various forms of "whom" are all but dead which is why they are often used incorrectly.[/nq]
Moribund, perhaps, but hardly dead.
Moribund, perhaps, but hardly dead.
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[nq:1]What is the correct form? "I want to meet whoever bought the painting." -or- "I want to meet whomever bought ... subject position in the relative clause, suggesting 'whoever'. But it is the direct object of the main clause, suggesting 'whomever'.[/nq]
I agree with other responders who have said "whoever" is right because it's the subject of the dependent clause, and it's the clause, not
I agree with other responders who have said "whoever" is right because it's the subject of the dependent clause, and it's the clause, not
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[nq:1]If you ever get into a situation where it's essential that you avoid any possible criticism of your English usage, ... I would ask "Who did you give it to?" but I would never ask "To who did you give it?"[/nq]
Of course, 'whom' is more-or-less obligatory in the phrase 'to whom it may concern'.
Of course, 'whom' is more-or-less obligatory in the phrase 'to whom it may concern'.
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[nq:2]If you ever get into a situation where it's essential ... I would never ask "To who did you give it?"[/nq]
[nq:1]Of course, 'whom' is more-or-less obligatory in the phrase 'to whom it may concern'.[/nq]
Yes, that's a good point, but I would consider rephrasing "to whom it may concern" to "to whoever may find it of interest", or "to whoever may care". This would preserve correct gramm
[nq:1]Of course, 'whom' is more-or-less obligatory in the phrase 'to whom it may concern'.[/nq]
Yes, that's a good point, but I would consider rephrasing "to whom it may concern" to "to whoever may find it of interest", or "to whoever may care". This would preserve correct gramm
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