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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

6 Comments

6 Responses to “Whoever vs. Whomever”

  1. Daniel says:
    January 30, 2011 at 8:55 am

    Omar will talk about his girlfriend with whomever…
    Omar will talk with whomever…
    Omar talks with whomever…

    Kimiko donates to who needs it [the] most.

    Qinton will work the project with whom you suggest.

    Whomever wins the lottery will be a millionaire.

    Give it to whom who asks for it first.

    We will hire whomever is most qualified.

    Whomever elected will serve a four-year term.

    Whom you elect will serve a four-year term.

    Professor Jane Straus,

    Know that proper grammar is determined by etiquette.

    Reply
    • Jane says:
      April 10, 2011 at 9:58 pm

      The sentences in your comments contain numerous errors. Proper grammar has been determined over hundreds of years and is continuously evolving over time. What is considered proper etiquette is likewise constantly evolving and is not necessarily correlated to proper grammar.

      Reply
  2. avinash says:
    July 23, 2011 at 7:59 am

    thanks ….. for ur help

    Reply
    • Jane says:
      July 24, 2011 at 12:56 pm

      You are very welcome! (Although, since we are a grammar and punctuation website and blog, we feel obliged to remind you of the untexted version, “Thanks for your help.”)

      Reply
  3. Leigh Ann says:
    September 6, 2011 at 1:09 pm

    Still a little confused…please advise…thinking “whoever” is appropriate here:

    “…and offer her help to whoever would stop and listen.”

    Whoever or whomever?

    Reply
    • Jane says:
      September 7, 2011 at 5:06 pm

      To determine whether to use whoever or whomever, here is the trick:
      him + he = whoever
      offer to help him, he would stop and listen

      Sandy would stop by and offer her help to whoever would stop and listen.

      Reply

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