1. Pronoun Case with Who and Whom
Writing Lab
Pronoun Case with Who and Whom

2. Who and Whoever Who and whoever are used when a subject is needed.
Substitute he (or she) for who and whoever.
He’s the professor who teaches Symbology.
(He teaches Symbology.)
He who speaks must listen.
(He speaks.)
Give the job to whoever applies.
(He applies.)

3. Whom and Whomever
“Whom” and “whomever” are used when an object is needed.
Substitute “him” for “whom” and “whomever.”
Sometimes, it may be necessary to rearrange the word order in which the word “who” or “whom” is functioning.
Are you trying to contact the people to whom this house belongs? (This house belongs to him.)
Give the job to whomever we recommend. (We recommend him.)

4. More Examples I never met a man whom I didn’t like.
(I didn’t like him.)
He is the one who was going to leave.
(He was going to leave.)
Who is the artist who painted this portrait of the woman whom he loved?
(He is the artist. He painted this portrait. He loved her.)

5. That’s all, folks!
This lesson is part of the UWF Writing Lab Grammar Mini-Lesson Series
Lessons adapted from Real Good Grammar, Too by Mamie Webb Hixon
To find out more, visit the Writing Lab’s website where you can take a self-scoring quiz corresponding to this lesson