Whoever and whomever in embedded clauses

The idea

Choose whoever for the subject inside the clause. For its object, whomever is formal; whoever is common in ordinary speech and writing.

Examples

• Whoever arrives first can unlock the studio.
• Please thank whoever organized the neighborhood meal.
• Whomever the committee selects will lead the project.
• Invite whoever you trust to the discussion.
• The librarian will help whoever needs a quiet place to study.
• Whomever you appoint should receive clear instructions.

Watch out

Do not choose the form from the role of the whole clause: after a main-clause verb, whoever can still be the subject of its own clause.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the correct option or options. Give the key to ___ opens the hall. (whoever / whomever)

   Show answer or example answer

   whoever

   whoever opens the hall; the whole clause follows a preposition.

2. Choose the correct option or options. ___ the panel chooses will receive the award. (whoever / whomever)

   Show answer or example answer

   whoever / whomever

   The panel chooses the person, so whoever or formal whomever fits, although the whole clause is the subject.

3. Choose the correct option or options. We will greet ___ the guide introduces. (whoever / whomever)

   Show answer or example answer

   whoever / whomever

   The guide introduces the person, so whoever or formal whomever fits.

Use it today

Write one sentence where the clause is an object and another where it is a subject. Identify the role inside each clause.