I have to admit there’s one point of grammar that’s always stumped me—whoever vs whomever. Maybe my confusion comes from growing up in Paris, France and having to worry about French grammar. I was great at French grammar. I had to be. Since I failed the spelling portion of every French test, the only way to end up with a passing grade was to ace the grammar half. But English grammar, that just wasn’t a factor. So when it comes to issues like when to use whoever over whomever, I figure that if I stick with whoever, I’ll get it right at least half the time.
Of course, that seems like a cop out, especially for someone whose life revolves around words. So I went in search of an explanation simple enough to remember. I found the solution to my whoever/whomever quandary on www.grammarbook.com/grammar/whoever.asp:
Rule 1. To determine whether to use whoever or whomever, here is the rule:
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
Rule 2. When the entire whoever/whomever clause is the subject of the verb that follows 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.
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