Grammar Handout 023
Confusing Words: Who/Whoever, Whom/Whomever 023
Many people seem to have difficulty when choosing between who/whoever and
whom/whomever, even though they follow the rules of nominative and objective pronouns. The
key to success lies in finding the verbs and their subjects. If the word choice is the subject of a verb,
then who is the correct choice. However, if the word choice is not the subject of a verb, then whom
is the correct choice. Keeping these facts in mind, you may find the following procedures helpful.
1. Look at the words after the word choice. If there are no verbs, whom is the correct choice.
There is no need to continue.
2. If there ARE verbs after the word choice, you need to identify their subjects. To do this, look
for the following:
a) Dependent clauses beginning with who/whom – Find them and bracket them. Next,
substitute he for who/whoever and him for whom/whomever and turn the dependent
clause into an independent clause. If the subject is the word choice, choose he(who). If the
subject is not the word choice, choose him(whom).
Example: A child (who, whom) is crying can be a distraction.
he, him
The dependent clause is [who, whom is crying]. Using the substitution method, the
dependent clause becomes an independent clause—
He is crying.
Since he is the subject of the verb is crying, the correct choice is who.
A child WHO is crying can be a distraction.
Example: The man (who, whom) she saw was a burglar.
he, him
The dependent clause is [who, whom she saw]. Using the substitution method, the
dependent clause becomes an independent clause—
She saw him.
Since the word choice is not the subject of the verb saw, the correct choice is
whom.
The man WHOM she saw was a burglar.
b) Questions – Check to see if the words who/whoever – whom/whomever introduce a
dependent clause in the question. If they do, follow the suggestions above. If they don’t,
then turn the question into a statement using the substitution method.
Example: Have you heard (who, whom) will get the promotion?
he, him
Since [who, whom will get the promotion] is a dependent clause, turn it into an
independent clause using the substitution method.
He will get the promotion.
The correct choice is who because it is the subject of the verb will get.
Have you heard WHO will get the promotion?
Confusing Words Who Whoever Whom Whomever Grammar Handout 023 (December 2011; ASC Eng/Read) Page 1
Example: To (who, whom) did you give the award?
The word choice does not introduce a dependent clause; therefore, just
answer the question, using the substitution method.
he, him
I gave the award to (who, whom).
The correct choice is whom because the word choice is not the subject
of the verb.
To WHOM did you give the award?
Exercise 1: Circle the correct pronoun.
1. The woman (who, whom) teaches first grade is retiring in June.
2. For (who, whom) did you do the report?
3. How did they know (who, whom) won?
4. He said that she didn’t know (who, whom) called.
5. (Who, Whom) do I call about the apartment?
6. She will give a prize to (whoever, whomever) completes the assignment first.
7. It was he (who, whom) I saw at the mall.
8. With (who, whom) did you dance?
9. (Who, Whom) arrived before 9:00?
10. Can you tell me with (who, whom) Bob left?
Exercise 2: Circle the correct pronoun.
1. We didn’t know (who, whom) to call.
2. Was it you (who, whom) I passed on the turnpike?
3. (Who, Whom) left the book on the chair?
4. With (who, whom) did you go to the prom?
5. I was the teacher (who, whom) gave the speech.
6. (Who, Whom) owns the green bicycle?
7. I will speak to (whoever, whomever) is there.
Confusing Words Who Whoever Whom Whomever Grammar Handout 023 (December 2011; ASC Eng/Read) Page 2
8. Give it to (whoever, whomever) you choose.
9. Dad invited (who, whom) he wanted.
10. Tell me (who, whom) won the contest.
Exercise 3: Circle the correct pronoun.
1. My teacher is a person (who, whom) we shall never forget.
2. Please tell me (who, whom) to notify about the accident.
3. For (who, whom) is that song written?
4. (Who, Whom) came to the dance alone?
5. By (who, whom) did you sit on the bus?
6. Please give my ticket to (whoever, whomever) wants it.
7. Please see (who, whom) is at the door.
8. We will be the ones (who, whom) choose the candidates.
9. From (who, whom) did you receive that plaque?
10. (Who, Whom) will you dance with?
Exercise 4: Circle the correct pronoun.
1. My mom is the person (who, whom) I admire.
2. Will you please tell me (who, whom) called at noon?
3. The doctor (who, whom) we saw was a caring person.
4. He doesn’t know (who, whom) to call for a date.
5. Teachers can tell (who, whom) studies for exams.
6. I will give the work to (who, whom) I choose.
7. Please be respectful to (whoever, whomever) substitutes tomorrow.
8. (Who, Whom) do you think will win the contest?
Confusing Words Who Whoever Whom Whomever Grammar Handout 023 (December 2011; ASC Eng/Read) Page 3
9. My friend (who, whom) I invited did not come.
10. When you called my home, (who, whom) took the message?
Exercise 5: Circle the correct pronoun.
1. He is the candidate for (who, whom) I voted.
2. Give the clothes to (whoever, whomever) needs them.
3. She was the person (who, whom) was selected for the position.
4. (Who, Whom) will be leaving tomorrow?
5. The actor (who, whom) we met seemed to have very little personality.
6. My sister has a friend (who, whom) owns a boutique.
7. We had a hard time deciding (who, whom) to pick for the committee.
8. (Who, Whom) did you select?
9. They did not know (who, whom) to notify about the accident.
10. I would gladly accept a compliment from (whoever, whomever) wanted to give
me one.
Confusing Words Who Whoever Whom Whomever Grammar Handout 023 (December 2011; ASC Eng/Read) Page 4
