What is the Difference Between Whoever and Whomever?

The difference between "whoever" and "whomever" lies in their function within a sentence. Here are the key distinctions:

• Whoever: This is a subject pronoun, meaning it refers to the subject of a sentence, which performs the action of the verb. It is used like the pronouns "he," "she," and "they". For example: "Whoever wrote this poem should win a prize".
• Whomever: This is an object pronoun, meaning it refers to the object of a sentence, which receives the action of the verb. It is used like the pronouns "him," "her," and "them". For example: "Give the document to whomever in the department".

To determine which pronoun to use, consider the function of the person or entity within the sentence. If the person is performing the action, use "whoever." If the person is receiving the action, use "whomever".

Comparative Table: Whoever vs Whomever

Here is a table comparing the difference between "whoever" and "whomever":

To determine whether to use "whoever" or "whomever", follow these rules:

1. Subject pronoun: If "whoever" or "whomever" is the subject of a dependent clause, use "whoever". Examples: "We will hire whoever is most qualified" and "Whoever is elected will serve a four-year term".

2. Object pronoun: If "whoever" or "whomever" is the object of a verb or preposition in a dependent clause, use "whomever". Examples: "We will hire whomever you recommend" and "Give the document to whomever in the department".

Remember, "whoever" is a subject pronoun, like "he", "she", and "they", while "whomever" is an object pronoun, like "him", "her", and "them".