Who Vs Whom (in two similar sentences)
Please forgive me for asking this question, which some people may find rather old-fashioned and maybe even irrelevant. I am just curious as my friend and I have different opinions about it.
In which of the following sentences is "whom" correct? (We should appreciate it if you could give the reasons for your choice of the pronoun).
1. Of all the candidates that we interviewed, who/whom do you believe to be the better choice?
2. Of all the candidates that we interviewed, who/whom do you believe is the better choice?
Thank you for your help.
Top answer
] [2] Of all the candidates that we interviewed, who(m) do you believe [___ is the better choice]. In [1] the pronoun is object of the verb “believe”, so strictly speaking “whom” is correct. By contrast, in [2] the pronoun is subject of the embedded subordinate is clause, so it should be the nominative “who”.
- ] [2] Of all the candidates that we interviewed, who(m) do you believe [___ is the better choice].
- In [1] the pronoun is object of the verb “believe”, so strictly speaking “whom” is correct.
- By contrast, in [2] the pronoun is subject of the embedded subordinate is clause, so it should be the nominative “who”.
- Over the years, changes in the way we use these pronouns have resulted in the nominative becoming acceptable in certain positions where previously the more formal accusative was obligatory -- which means that it is acceptable to use either nominative “who” or accusative “whom” in [1].
- g.
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Traditional grammar has it that the accusative form “whom” is used where the pronoun is object of a preposition or verb, and nominative “who” elsewhere:
[1] Of all the candidates that we interviewed, who(m) do you believe ___ [to be the better choice.]
[2] Of all the candidates that we interviewed, who(m) do you believe [___ is the bett
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