Let’s crack the code for who and whom. It is easier than you might imagine. In addition, I will give you the technique for learning when to use whoever vs. whomever. The following are informal methods rather than rules; however, they really work!

Rule: Use who when you could replace it with he.

Example: Who/whom is standing by the gate?

We would say, “He is standing by the gate.” So who is correct.

Example: Gail wished she knew who/whom won.

Gail wished is a subject and verb pair (also called a clause). She knew is another subject and verb pair (clause). Who/whom won, the third clause, is the one we care about here. We would say, “He won.” So who is correct.

Rule: Use whom when you could replace it with him.

Example: To who/whom am I speaking?

Let’s turn the question into a sentence to make it easier: I am speaking to who/whom. We would say, “I am speaking to him.” Therefore, whom is correct.

Example: Hank wanted to know on who/whom the prank was pulled.

Hank wanted to know is a clause. That leaves on who/whom the prank was pulled. Again, let’s turn the question into a sentence: The prank was pulled on who/whom. We would say, “The prank was pulled on him.” Therefore, whom is correct.

Now, wouldn’t it be nice to know when to use whoever and whomever with confidence? Once again, I’ll give you techniques that work.

Rule: Use ever on the end of who or whom when who or whom fits into both clauses.

Example: Give it to ________ asks for it first.

We could say, “Give it to him.” But we could also say, “He asks for it first.” In other words, who/whom fits into both clauses. That tells us to use ever on the end of who or whom. Now, is the correct answer whoever or whomever ?

Rule: When you have a he/him combination, use whoever. When you have a him/him combination, use whomever.

In the example above, we had a he/him combination. So the answer is this: Give it to whoever asks for it first.

Example: We will hire _________ you recommend.

We could say, “We will hire him.” But we could also say, “You recommend him.” Again, who/whom fits into both clauses. That tells us to use ever. This time we have a him/him combination. So the answer is this: We will hire whomever you recommend.

Pop Quiz

1. Who/Whom should I ask to the dance?
2. Cedric hasn’t decided who/whom should be appointed yet.
3. I’m looking for an assistant on who/whom I can depend.

Answers to Pop Quiz

1. Whom should I ask to the dance?
2. Cedric hasn’t decided who should be appointed yet.
3. I’m looking for an assistant on whom I can depend.

This entry was posted on Monday, May 1, 2006 at 3:46 pm and is filed under Who / Whom / Whoever / Whomever. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.