Whoever or Whomever?
What Is the Difference between "Whoever" and "Whomever"?
"Whoever" and "whomever" are easy to confuse. Deciding which one to use requires a little bit of grammar knowledge.To know the difference between "whoever" and "whomever," you must understand the difference between a subject and an object in grammar. Don't worry if you don't. It is easier than it sounds, and you already make this distinction with pairings like "he/him" and "they/them." Well, "whoever/whomever" is exactly the same!
"Whoever" Is the Subject of a Verb
"Whoever" is like "he" and "they." All three words are used as the subjects of verbs.Example sentences with "whoever":
- Whoever answers the next question wins the quiz. (Here, "whoever" is the subject of the verb "answers.")
- Whoever said money can't buy happiness simply didn't know where to go shopping. (Actress Bo Derek) (In this example, "whoever" is the subject of the verb "said.")
- Whoever controls the media and the images, controls the culture. (Poet Allen Ginsberg) (Here, "whoever" is the subject of the verb "controls.")
"Whomever" Is an Object
"Whomever" is like "him" and "them." All three words are used as objects.Example sentences with "whomever":
- The witch will choose whomever she wants. (Here, "whomever" is the object of the verb "choose." In this case, it is a direct object.)
- Tell whomever your story. (Here, "whomever" is the object of the verb "tell." In this case, it is an indirect object.)
- Give it to whomever you think will use it most wisely. (Here, "whomever" is the object of the preposition "to.")
Read more about objects.
More about "Whoever" and "Whomever"
This sentence might help with understanding the difference between "whoever" and "whomever":- Whoever likes me, and I like whomever.
- He likes me, and I like him.
- They like me, and I like them.
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