ENGLISH RULES WHOEVER VS WHOMEVER

Whoever vs. Whomever

To determine whether to use whoever or whomever, the he/him rule in

the Who/Whom section applies:

he = whoever
him = whomever

Rule 1. The presence of whoever or whomever indicates a dependent clause.

Use whoever or whomeverto agree with the verb in that dependent clause,
regardless of the rest of the sentence.

Examples:
Give it to whoever/whomever asks for it first.
He asks for it first. Therefore, whoever is correct.

We will hire whoever/whomever you recommend.

You recommend him. Therefore, whomever is correct.

We will hire whoever/whomever is most qualified.

He is most qualified. Therefore, whoever is correct.

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 the subject of is elected. The clause whoever is elected is the
subject of will serve.
 Whomever you elect will serve a four-year term.
Whomever is the object of elect. Whomever you elect is the subject of will
serve.

A word to the wise: Whomever is even more of a vogue word than whom.
Many use it indiscriminately to sound cultured, figuring that no one will know
any better.

Who, Whom, Whoever, Whomever Quiz 2

1. For each question, choose the correct sentence.

A) Whom brought the mail in today?

B) Who brought the mail in today?

2.

A) He is the doctor who took Jimmy’s tonsils out.

B) He is the doctor whom took Jimmy’s tonsils out.

3.

A) Whom did you go to the movie with?

B) Who did you go to the movie with?

4.
 A) There will be a prize awarded to whomever finishes first.

B) There will be a prize awarded to whoever finishes first.

5.

A) Fatima was the cashier who won the lottery.

B) Fatima was the cashier whom won the lottery.

Who, Whom, Whoever, Whomever Quiz 2

6.

A) It does not matter to me who drives tomorrow.

B) It does not matter to me whom drives tomorrow.

7.

A) I will be happy to help whomever needs extra assistance.

B) I will be happy to help whoever needs extra assistance.

8.
 A) Sheila will have her hair styled by whomever her friend Rhonda recommends.

B) Sheila will have her hair styled by whoever her friend Rhonda recommends.

9.

A) I will ride with whoever I choose.

B) I will ride with whomever I choose.

10.

A) Whomever wrote the story did an excellent job.

B) Whoever wrote the story did an excellent job.

Quiz Results
1. For each question, choose the correct sentence.

Correct Answer: B Who brought the mail in today?

Explanation: “Who” is the subject of “brought.”

2.

Correct Answer: A He is the doctor who took Jimmy’s tonsils out.

Explanation: “who” is the subject of “took.”

3.

Correct Answer: A Whom did you go to the movie with?

Explanation: “Whom” is the object of “with.”

4.

Correct Answer: B There will be a prize awarded to whoever finishes first.

Explanation: “whoever” is the subject of “finishes.”

5.

Correct Answer: A Fatima was the cashier who won the lottery.

Explanation: “who” is the subject of “won.”

6.
Correct Answer: A It does not matter to me who drives tomorrow.

Explanation: “who” is the subject of “drives.”

7.

Correct Answer: B I will be happy to help whoever needs extra

assistance.

Explanation: “whoever” is the subject of “needs.”

8.

Correct Answer: A Sheila will have her hair styled by whomever her friend
Rhonda recommends.

Explanation: “whomever” is the object of “recommends.”

9.

Correct Answer: B I will ride with whomever I choose.

Explanation: “whomever” is the object of “choose.”

10.

Correct Answer: B Whoever wrote the story did an excellent job.

Explanation: “Whoever” is the subject of “wrote.”

Final Score: 0/10