whomever

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whomever" is correct and usable in written English, although it is less common than "whoever." You can use it when referring to the object of a verb or preposition in a sentence.
Example: "You can invite whomever you like to the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And then the NSA is empowered to issue "directives" to telephone and internet companies to obtain the communications for whomever the NSA decides – with no external (i.e. outside the executive branch) oversight – complies with the guidelines it submitted to the court.

The Guardian - Opinion

Either way, whomever Etihad eventually selects, the Gulf carrier will have its work cut out in India.

The Economist

The firm's trick was a novel system of suspension.For the more audacious, a prize of $20m awaits whomever is able to get a rover to the moon's surface and operate it successfully there.

The Economist

The history of modernism is often viewed as a series of discoveries with the glory going to whomever made the next conceptual breakthrough.

The Economist

That would leave the newly elected vice-president to cast the deciding vote and give the party in control of the Senate the power to advance or strangle the president's agenda, whomever is elected.In this section Not so flippable Back in the centre, back in the game New South, blue South?

The Economist

Once he arrived somewhere he gave his full attention to whomever he met.

The Economist

Just as misery loves company, anger (at the media, at the president, at whomever) is fueled by it.

The Economist

He could no longer deliver Bahia's vote to whomever he chose.

The Economist

Iran is desperate to trade with whomever will buy its oil.

The Economist

And second, you (along with many other writers) referred to nanawatai as the Pushtun tradition of giving sanctuary to whomever wants it.

The Economist

Three times governor of the state, he strengthened his power base by allying with whomever was in power in Brasília.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "whomever", ensure it functions as the object of a verb or preposition. Double-check the clause's grammatical structure to confirm its correct usage.

Common error

Many writers mistakenly use "whomever" when "whoever" is grammatically correct. "Whoever" acts as the subject of a verb, while "whomever" acts as the object. If you can replace it with "him" or "her", use "whomever".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "whomever" is as an objective pronoun, serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI indicates it is generally considered grammatically correct. For example, in the sentence, "Give it to whomever asks for it," "whomever" receives the action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "whomever" functions as an objective pronoun, used as the object of a verb or preposition. While considered grammatically correct by Ludwig AI, it is often confused with "whoever", which serves as the subject. Its usage is most common in news and media contexts, reflecting a neutral register. When writing, it's crucial to ensure "whomever" correctly acts as the object to maintain grammatical accuracy. Remember to substitute "him/her" to confirm correct usage. Though technically correct, its usage is falling out of favor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anyone whom

Explicitly includes "whom", emphasizing the objective case.

any person whom

Replaces "whomever" with a more formal equivalent.

the person that

Uses a more common and less formal construction.

the individual that

Offers a slightly more formal alternative.

to whom

Focuses on the recipient or object of an action.

the one whom

Specifies a single person as the object.

those whom

Refers to multiple people as objects.

he whom

Presents a more archaic and formal alternative.

she whom

Presents a more archaic and formal alternative.

him whom

Emphasizes the person receiving the action in a formal manner.

FAQs

How is "whomever" used correctly in a sentence?

"Whomever" functions as the object of a verb or preposition. For example, "Give the prize to "whomever you choose"" demonstrates proper usage.

Is it always necessary to use "whomever" instead of "whoever"?

No, "whoever" is appropriate when it acts as the subject of a verb. Use "whomever" only when it's the object. Understanding this distinction is crucial for correct usage.

What are some common mistakes when using "whomever"?

A frequent error is using "whomever" when the pronoun should be the subject of the verb, which requires "whoever". Remember, "whomever" should be replaceable with "him" or "her".

Are there simpler alternatives to using "whomever"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can often use phrases like "anyone whom" or "the person that" instead of "whomever" to simplify your sentence structure.