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Discussion Groups / English Usage / January 2004question about 'whoever' vs. 'whomever'
What is the correct form? "I want to meet whoever bought the painting." -or- "I want to meet whomever bought the painting." On the one hand, the wh-ever word is in the subject position in the relative clause, suggesting 'whoever'. But it is the direct object of the main clause, suggesting 'whomever'. I would probably use 'whoever' since 'whomever' is simply not part of my vocabulary, but I was wondering what is considered grammatically correct. Thanks for your help. In our last episode, <cd098345.0401150052.27641ad5@posting.google.com>, the lovely and talented fricaticative broadcast on alt.usage.english: > What is the correct form? > "I want to meet whoever bought the painting." > -or- > "I want to meet whomever bought the painting." > On the one hand, the wh-ever word is in the subject position in the > relative clause, suggesting 'whoever'. But it is the direct object of > the main clause, suggesting 'whomever'. > I would probably use 'whoever' since 'whomever' is simply not part of > my vocabulary, but I was wondering what is considered grammatically > correct. > Thanks for your help. It is "whoever." The whole clause "whoever bought the painting" is the object of "meet," not "whoever." The various forms of "whom" are all but dead which is why they are often used incorrectly. If the correct use of the "whom" forms are not native to you, I advise that you always use the "who" forms. You will be very modern and won't be caught in a pretentious error.  SignatureLars Eighner -finger for geek code- eighner@io.com http://www.io.com/~eighner/ "Having been unpopular in high school is not just cause for book publications." --Fran Lebowitz > The various forms of > "whom" are all but dead which is why they are often used incorrectly. Moribund, perhaps, but hardly dead. > What is the correct form? > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > relative clause, suggesting 'whoever'. But it is the direct object of > the main clause, suggesting 'whomever'. 'Whoever' is correct here, for the direct object of 'meet' is not 'who(m)ever', but rather 'whoever bought the painting' in its entirety. > What is the correct form? > "I want to meet whoever bought the painting." > -or- > "I want to meet whomever bought the painting." > On the one hand, the wh-ever word is in the subject position in the > relative clause, suggesting 'whoever'. But it is the direct object of > the main clause, suggesting 'whomever'. I agree with other responders who have said "whoever" is right because it's the subject of the dependent clause, and it's the clause, not "whoever", that's the object of "meet". > I would probably use 'whoever' since 'whomever' is simply not part of > my vocabulary, but I was wondering what is considered grammatically > correct. If you ever get into a situation where it's essential that you avoid any possible criticism of your English usage, you might want to heed William Safire's advice: "If a statement needs 'whom' to be correct, rephrase the statement" (or words to that effect). For example, if you start to say "He is the one who they accuse of stealing the painting", then realize it should theoretically be "whom" in that case, you could change it to "He is the one who they say stole the painting". I side with those who say that "whom" is probably terminally ill, but not yet dead. In all but the most formal writing, I would ask "Who did you give it to?" but I would never ask "To who did you give it?" > If you ever get into a situation where it's essential that > you avoid any possible criticism of your English usage, you [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > I would ask "Who did you give it to?" but I would never ask > "To who did you give it?" Of course, 'whom' is more-or-less obligatory in the phrase 'to whom it may concern'. > > If you ever get into a situation where it's essential that > > you avoid any possible criticism of your English usage, you > > might want to heed William Safire's advice: "If a statement > > needs 'whom' to be correct, rephrase the statement" (or > > words to that effect). > > I side with those who say that "whom" is probably terminally > > ill, but not yet dead. In all but the most formal writing, > > I would ask "Who did you give it to?" but I would never ask > > "To who did you give it?" > Of course, 'whom' is more-or-less obligatory in the phrase 'to whom it > may concern'. Yes, that's a good point, but I would consider rephrasing "to whom it may concern" to "to whoever may find it of interest", or "to whoever may care". This would preserve correct grammar while avoiding the sneers of the young. (It happens that the people I know who are most adamantly opposed to saying "whom" are young.) |
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