Many people find it difficult to distinguish between “whoever” and “whomever.” These pronouns sound similar and are often used interchangeably in everyday speech.
However, using them correctly can make your writing clearer and more professional, especially in formal contexts.
In this article, we’ll break down the differences between “whoever” and “whomever,” and provide you with simple rules to help you use them correctly.
What Does “Whoever” Mean?
“Whoever” is a pronoun used to refer to any person or people, without specifying who. It’s often used in sentences where the identity of the person is unknown or unimportant. “Whoever” can serve as the subject of a sentence or clause.
Examples of “Whoever” in a Sentence
- As the subject: “Whoever called you left a message.”
- In a question: “Whoever is responsible for this mess?”
- In a conditional statement: “Whoever finishes first gets a prize.”
How to Use “Whoever” Correctly
To use “whoever” correctly, remember that it acts as the subject of a sentence or clause. If you can replace “whoever” with “he” or “she” and the sentence still makes sense, then “whoever” is the right choice.
Common Mistakes with “Whoever”
A common mistake is using “whoever” when “whomever” is needed. For example, saying “Give the award to whoever deserves it” is incorrect because “whoever” is not the subject of the sentence. The correct sentence is “Give the award to whomever deserves it.”
What Does “Whomever” Mean?
“Whomever” is a pronoun used to refer to any person or people, but it’s used as the object of a verb or preposition. It’s more formal than “whoever” and is often used in written language.
Examples of “Whomever” in a Sentence
- As the object of a verb: “I’ll hire whomever you recommend.”
- As the object of a preposition: “The prize will go to whomever the judges choose.”
How to Use “Whomever” Correctly
To use “whomever” correctly, remember that it acts as the object of a verb or preposition. If you can replace “whomever” with “him” or “her” and the sentence still makes sense, then “whomever” is the right choice.
Common Mistakes with “Whomever”
A common mistake is using “whomever” when “whoever” is needed. For example, saying “Whomever is at the door, please let them in” is incorrect because “whomever” is not the object of the sentence. The correct sentence is “Whoever is at the door, please let them in.”
Whoever vs. Whomever: What’s the Difference?
| Feature | Whoever | Whomever |
| Part of speech | Subject pronoun | Object pronoun |
| Use | Refers to any person or people, without specifying who | Refers to any person or people, but used as the object of a verb or preposition |
| Examples | “Whoever called you left a message.” | “I will hire whomever you recommend.” |
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between “whoever” and “whomever” can help you communicate more effectively and avoid common grammatical errors. Remembering the simple rule of replacing “whoever” with “he” or “she” and “whomever” with “him” or “her” can make it easier to use these pronouns correctly.