who or whom?

Question

Dear Teachers,I would like to know your opinion regarding the choice of who or whom in the following kind of sentence:"This is the man who/whom everyone suspected was a serial killer a decade ago."Most sources say that "who" is the correct pronoun in this case; but there are a few that argue otherwise.Are there any new arguments either way?Thanks,Jaime

Paco2004 · Accepted Answer

Your question has been asked many times. Please read and .

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MrPedantic · Answer

Anonymous
Dear Teachers,

I would like to know your opinion regarding the choice of who or whom in the following kind of sentence:

"This is the man who/whom everyone suspected was a serial killer a decade ago."

Most sources say that "who" is the correct pronoun in this case; but there are a few that argue otherwise.

Are there any new arguments either way?

Thanks,

Jaime

Hello Anon

In this instance, the only possibility is "who":

1. This is the man who (everyone suspected) was a serial killer a decade ago.

As you can see, "who" is the subject of "was"; "everyone suspected" is a parenthetical comment.

MrP

CalifJim · Answer

Just one more observation:

"Everyone suspected (that) [he / *him] was a serial killer."
generates "This is the man [who / *whom] everyone suspected was a serial killer."

"Everyone suspected [*he / him] of being a serial killer."
generates "This is the man [*who / whom] everyone suspected of being a serial killer."

CJ

Rotter · Answer

A clever answer by CalifJim.

who or whom?

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