Definition of Whoever
“Whoever” is a pronoun that refers to the person or people being spoken about or referred to, regardless of who they are. It is often used in statements or questions where the identity of the person is unknown or unimportant. For example, “Whoever finishes first gets a prize” means that the person who finishes first, no matter who they are, will receive a prize.
Definition of Whomever
“Whomever” is a pronoun that is used as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to the person or people being spoken about or referred to, regardless of who they are, similar to “whoever”. For example, “I will give the prize to whoever finishes first” means that the prize will be given to the person who finishes first, no matter who they are. It is also commonly used in formal writing and speech.
Whoever and Whomever – Differences
The main difference between “whoever” and “whomever” is their grammatical function in a sentence. “Whoever” is used as the subject of a sentence, while “whomever” is used as the object.
For example, in the sentence “Whoever finishes first gets a prize,” “Whoever” is the subject of the sentence and performs the action of finishing first.
In contrast, in the sentence “I will give the prize to whoever finishes first,” “whomever” is the object of the preposition “to” and receives the action of the prize being given.
Another way to think of it is that “whoever” is used in place of the subject pronoun “he/she/they” and “whomever” is used in place of the object pronoun “him/her/them.” It is also important to notice that “whomever” is less commonly used in informal speech and writing.
Comparison Chart
Here is a comparison chart that summarizes the main differences between “whoever” and “whomever”:
| Whoever | Whomever |
|---|---|
| Used as the subject of a sentence | Used as the object of a verb or preposition |
| Performs the action in a sentence | Receives the action in a sentence |
| Equivalent to “he/she/they” | Equivalent to “him/her/them” |
| More commonly used in informal speech and writing | Less commonly used in informal speech and writing |
Example:
| Whoever | Whomever |
|---|---|
| Whoever finishes the task first will get a promotion. | The promotion will be given to whomever finishes the task first. |
It is also worth noting that it is possible to phrase sentences with “who” instead of “whoever” and “whomever” in formal writing, this is considered more standard.
Similarities Between Whoever vs Whomever
Both “whoever” and “whomever” have a similar function in that they both refer to people, regardless of their identity. They are used to refer to an unknown or unspecified person or group of people.
Another similarity is that they both can be used in formal and informal writing, but “whomever” is less commonly used in informal writing and speech.
Another similarity is that both “whoever” and “whomever” are used in relative clauses. They both connect a dependent clause to the main clause of a sentence. The main clause can either be a statement or a question.
For example, in the sentence “I will give the prize to whoever finishes first,” the dependent clause “whoever finishes first” is connected to the main clause “I will give the prize to.”
“whoever” and “whomever” are similar in that they both refer to unknown or unspecified people and they both connect dependent clauses to main clauses.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can “whoever” and “whomever” be used interchangeably?
No, “whoever” and “whomever” have different grammatical functions and cannot be used interchangeably. “Whoever” is used as the subject of a sentence, while “whomever” is used as the object of a verb or preposition. - Can “whoever” and “whomever” be replaced by “who”?
Yes, “whoever” and “whomever” can be replaced by “who” in formal writing, this is considered to be more standard. - Can you give an example of when to use “whoever”?
An example of when to use “whoever” is in the sentence “Whoever finishes the task first will get a promotion,” where “whoever” is the subject of the sentence and performs the action of finishing the task. - Can you give an example of when to use “whomever”?
An example of when to use “whomever” is in the sentence “The promotion will be given to whoever finishes the task first,” where “whomever” is the object of the preposition “to” and receives the action of receiving the promotion. - How do you determine whether to use “whoever” or “whomever”?
To determine whether to use “whoever” or “whomever,” you should first identify the verb or preposition in the sentence and then look at the pronoun’s function in relation to that verb or preposition. If the pronoun is the subject of the sentence or clause, use “whoever.” If the pronoun is the object of the verb or preposition, use “whomever.”
Reference Books
There are several reference books that can provide more information on the use of “whoever” and “whomever.” Some popular books include:
- “The Chicago Manual of Style” by University of Chicago Press – This is a widely-used style guide for writing and editing, and it provides detailed information on grammar, punctuation, and usage.
- “The Elements of Style” by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White – This classic book is a popular guide to writing clear and effective prose. It provides guidelines for grammar, style, and usage, including the use of “whoever” and “whomever.”
- “The Oxford Guide to English Grammar” by John Eastwood – This book provides a comprehensive guide to English grammar, including information on the use of pronouns like “whoever” and “whomever.”
- “Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of English Usage” – This book provides guidance on the usage of words and phrases in the English language, it also provides information on the use of “whoever” and “whomever”
- “A Writer’s Reference” by Diana Hacker – This book is a popular guide to grammar, usage, and research, and it provides detailed information on the use of “whoever” and “whomever” in various contexts.
These books can be found in most libraries and bookstores.
