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Whoever vs. Whomever

In the “English Rules” section of my site, GrammarBook.com, you will find my simple explanation for determining whether to use who or whom.

Briefly, this is the trick:
who = he (subject pronouns)
whom = him (object pronouns)

Example: Who/Whom is at the door?
He is at the door.

Example: For who/whom should I vote?
Should I vote for him?

To determine whether to use whoever or whomever, here is the trick:
him + he = whoever
him + him = whomever

Examples:
Give it to whoever/whomever asks for it first.
Give it to him. He asks for it first.
Therefore, Give it to whoever asks for it first.

We will hire whoever/whomever you recommend.
We will hire him. You recommend him.
him + him = whomever

We will hire whoever/whomever is most qualified.
We will hire him. He is most qualified.
him + he = whoever

When the entire whoever/whomever clause is the subject of the verb following the clause, look inside the clause to determine whether to use whoever or whomever.

Examples:
Whoever is elected will serve a four-year term.
Whoever is elected is the subject of will serve.
Whoever is the subject of is.

Whomever you elect will serve a four-year term.
Whomever you elect is the subject of will serve.
Whomever is the object of you elect.

Pop Quiz

  1. Omar will talk about his girlfriend with whoever/whomever asks him.
  2. Kimiko donates her time to whoever/whomever needs it most.
  3. Quinton will work on the project with whoever/whomever you suggest.
  4. Whoever/Whomever wins the lottery will become a millionaire.

Answers

  1. whoever
  2. whoever
  3. whomever
  4. Whoever

Posted on Sunday, May 27th, 2007 at 9:41 pm