whom

Question

'Henrietta, however, was at that time engaged in a lengthy correspondence with Joe's older and more serious brother, Morris, who was just about her own age and whom she had got to know well during trips to Philadelphia with Papa, when he substituted for Rabbi Jastrow at Rodeph Shalom Temple there during its Rabbi's absence in Europe.'

Isn't 'Joe's older and more serious brother, Morris' the object, so 'whom' should be used instead of 'who' ?

Huevos · Accepted Answer

Morris is the subject of the subordinate clause. "Morris was her age".

Clive · Answer

Hi,
'Henrietta, however, was at that time engaged in a lengthy correspondence with Joe's older and more serious brother, Morris, who was just about her own age and whom she had got to know well during trips to Philadelphia with Papa, when he substituted for Rabbi Jastrow at Rodeph Shalom Temple there during its Rabbi's absence in Europe.'

Isn't 'Joe's older and more serious brother, Morris' the object, so 'whom' should be used instead of 'who' ?

No. Consider a simpler example. eg Mary married Tom, who owned a house.

In 'Mary married Tom', 'Tom' is the object. But in the subordinate clause, 'who owned a house', 'Tom' (ie 'who') is the subject.

Best wishes, Clive

Clive · Answer

Hi,
'Henrietta, however, was at that time engaged in a lengthy correspondence with Joe's older and more serious brother, Morris, who was just about her own age and whom she had got to know well during trips to Philadelphia with Papa, when he substituted for Rabbi Jastrow at Rodeph Shalom Temple there during its Rabbi's absence in Europe.'

Isn't 'Joe's older and more serious brother, Morris' the object, so 'whom' should be used instead of 'who' ?

No. Consider a simpler example. eg Mary married Tom, who owned a house.

In 'Mary married Tom', 'Tom' is the object. But in the subordinate clause, 'who owned a house', 'Tom' (ie 'who') is the subject.

Best wishes, Clive

HeloOO · Answer

'ABC has retrenched Mary, whom Tom married'
is correct?

Huevos · Answer

heloOO'ABC has retrenched Mary, whom Tom married'

Correct. Tom is the subject of the subordinate clause and Mary is the object. "Tom married Mary".

Clive · Answer

Hi,
A very minor point.

People don't normally get 'retrenched'. I don't really know what 'ABC has retrenched Mary' means.

Best wishes, Clive

whom

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions