Reducing relative claue error

Question

Hi, I was reading this site which explains relative pronouns and when they can be omitted from a sentence. Here is what the site said:

Reducing Relative Clauses

If the pronoun ("that", "who", "which") is the object of the verb, it can be omitted.

In defining relative clauses, when the pronouns 'that', 'who' and 'which' are the objects of the verb they can be taken out and the meaning of the sentence stays the same. Look:

'The man (that) I work with collects snakes.'

'The person (who) I spoke to knows you.'

'The shop (which) she likes has closed down.'

It states that when the pronoun is the object of the verb, it can be omitted. However, is the second example incorrect? Should it not read, 'the person (whom) I spoke to knows you? If it is the object of the verb it should be in the objective case... Am I correct?

And secondly, why does everyone use a colon with the words preceding the colon not being an independent clause. There needs to be a complete sentece preceding the colon. That is what I have understood, anyway.

Thanks.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Eddie88s the second example incorrect? Should it not read, 'the person (whom) I spoke to knows you? If it is the object of the verb it should be in the objective case... Am I correct?

You are correct.
The unfortunate thing is that after you go through all the trouble of learning the correct use of who and whom, you'll find out that the word who frequently substitutes for whom, especially in casual conversation.

In fact, in casual conversation, you almost never hear the word whom.
CJ

Reducing relative claue error

Reducing Relative Clauses

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