whomever you fancy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whomever you fancy" is not correct in standard English; it should be "whoever you fancy." You can use it when referring to someone you are attracted to or have a preference for in a casual or informal context.
Example: "You can invite whoever you fancy to the party; it's going to be a fun night."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Brighton, if you fancy.

The New Yorker

Do subscribe, if you fancy.

The Guardian - Sport

Do subscribe if you fancy.

The Guardian - Sport

Do subscribe, if you fancy Do subscribe, if you fancy.

The Guardian - Sport

If you fancy it.

Vice

Do you fancy another one?

Independent

(Or whatever else you fancy).

The Guardian - Sport

Do you fancy doing that?

The Guardian

"Do you fancy meeting up?

The Guardian

But what do you fancy?

The Guardian - Arts

Do you fancy one?

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "whoever" instead of "whomever" when it functions as the subject of a verb. For example, use "whoever you fancy" rather than "whomever you fancy."

Common error

Avoid using "whomever" when "whoever" is grammatically correct. "Whomever" is the objective case and should only be used when it's the object of a verb or preposition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whomever you fancy" is intended to function as a determiner-noun construction, specifying someone that the speaker is attracted to or prefers. However, it contains a grammatical error in the use of 'whomever'. Ludwig AI points out this error.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "whomever you fancy" is understandable, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "whoever you fancy". This expression is mainly used informally to inquire about or express romantic interest. As Ludwig AI confirms, the use of "whomever" is inappropriate here. Always opt for "whoever" in this context to maintain grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

whoever you like

Replaces the grammatically incorrect 'whomever' with the correct 'whoever', focusing on general preference.

who you are attracted to

Specifies the feeling of attraction, replacing 'fancy' with a more direct term.

anyone you prefer

Uses 'anyone' instead of 'whoever' for a more general reference, emphasizing preference.

the person you desire

Replaces 'fancy' with 'desire', adding a stronger connotation of longing or attraction.

the one you are keen on

Uses 'keen on' as a more informal and British English alternative to 'fancy'.

the individual you favor

Replaces 'whoever' with 'the individual' and 'fancy' with 'favor' for a more formal tone.

the person you are interested in

Replaces 'fancy' with 'interested in', focusing on initial curiosity and attraction.

whoever you choose

Focuses on the act of choosing someone you are attracted to, emphasizing agency.

the object of your affection

Uses a more poetic and literary phrasing to refer to someone you fancy.

the person who appeals to you

Replaces 'fancy' with 'appeals to you', highlighting the attraction as a pleasant or desirable quality.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "whomever you fancy"?

The correct phrase is "whoever you fancy". "Whomever" is the objective case, but in this construction, the subjective case "whoever" is required.

Is "whomever" ever correct?

Yes, "whomever" is correct when it is the object of a verb or preposition. For example, "Give it to whomever needs it."

What does it mean to "fancy" someone?

To "fancy" someone means to be attracted to or have a romantic interest in them. It is commonly used in British English.

What are some alternatives to saying "whoever you fancy"?

You could say "whoever you like", "anyone you prefer", or "who you are attracted to".