Section 1
The Relative Pronouns Who and Whom
Definition
The pronouns who and whoever are in the nominative case. The pronouns whom and whomever are in the objective case.
Explanation
To solve the who vs. whom mystery, you have to be a clause detective! First, find the subordinate clause where the pronoun is. Then, figure out the pronoun's job in that clause only. If the pronoun is the subject (doing the action) or a predicate nominative, use the nominative case like who. If it's an object (receiving the action or following a preposition), use the objective case like whom.
Examples
- The contest winner will be who sells the most cookies. [Who is the subject of the clause who sells the most cookies.]
- My cousin, whom I admire greatly, is a firefighter. [Whom is the direct object of the verb admire in the clause whom I admire greatly.]
- She is a leader for whom we have great respect. [Whom is the object of the preposition for.]