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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsWhich is correct?--Whomever you choose will have to--OR--Whoever you choose will have to--
Whomever would be direct object of 'choose'
Whoever would be subject of 'will have to'
yellerpup
(12,254 posts)a variation on "The person you choose..."?
raging moderate
(4,308 posts)the object of your clause, not the subject
mahatmakanejeeves
(57,608 posts)Scroll down to the bottom.
In the English Rules section of our website, GrammarBook.com, you will find our 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, the he/him trick still applies:
he (subject case) = whoever
him (object case) = whomever
Rule 1: In the objective case, the use of whoever or whomever is determined by the pronouns position in the object.
Examples:
Give it to whoever/whomever asks for it first.
Whoever is correct because it is the subject of the independent clause whoever asks for it first. This entire independent clause is the object of the preposition to.
We will hire whoever/whomever you recommend.
Whomever is correct because it is the object of you recommend. The independent clause whomever you recommend is the direct object of will hire.
We will hire whoever/whomever is most qualified.
Whoever is correct because it is the subject of the independent clause whoever is most qualified. This entire independent clause is the direct object of will hire.
Rule 2: In the subjective case, the use of whoever or whomever is determined by the pronouns position in the subject.
Examples:
Whoever/Whomever is elected will serve a four-year term.
Whoever is correct because it is the subject of the independent clause Whoever is elected, which is the subject of the sentence.
Whoever/Whomever you elect will serve a four-year term.
Whomever is correct because it is the object of you elect. Whomever you elect is the subject of the sentence.
bobbieinok
(12,858 posts)So 'whomever you choose' is a clause, which is then the subject of will have to.
And 'whomever' is object of choose
mahatmakanejeeves
(57,608 posts)Whoever/Whomever is elected will serve a four-year term.
Whoever is correct because it is the subject of the independent clause Whoever is elected, which is the subject of the sentence.
Whoever/Whomever you elect will serve a four-year term.
Whomever is correct because it is the object of you elect. [The clause] "Whomever you elect" is the subject of the sentence.
Hotler
(11,445 posts)Not an English quiz.
Hotler
(11,445 posts)A Writer's Reference, by Diana Hacker. I was introduced to it in college English and have kept one around since. You can find them in used book stores or college book stores. It is a quick and handy grammar reference.
https://www.amazon.com/Writers-Reference-Diana-Hacker/dp/0312450257
2naSalit
(86,780 posts)and another which I haven't seen in years but it's in my "desk stuff box" under the table. I don't write much anymore.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,840 posts)"You have to chose" -- "who" or "whom." In that arrangement it's clear that the word should be the object, so it's "whomever you choose." You want an object, not a subject.
Iggo
(47,565 posts)"The one you choose..."
or
"The person you choose..."
bobbieinok
(12,858 posts)And its presence causes my reading to 'stumble'.
MissMillie
(38,580 posts)"whom" was used after a preposition (to whom, from whom, for whom)
and "who" was used when it was the subject (who will be my friend? who will drive me to work?)