WHO or WHOM? A 90% Trick

Self | 30APR03 | bannie

[bannie]

In a recent thread, we discussed teachers' various abilities/inabilities. With the banter about math "blocks," I had to start calling people on the frequent mis-usage of the pronoun "that."

I teased others--and I hope the understood my playful intent! Even true mathematicians can make simple mistakes in math. Likewise, even true grammarians can make simple mistakes in grammar. I only made note because of the subject of the thread (An English teacher who was having trouble passing a required math test).

In the thread, I mentioned that I could give a quick-fix lesson on how to determine whether one should use the pronoun "who" or the pronoun "whom."

The Rule:
WHO = SUBJECTIVE
WHOM = OBJECTIVE
or...
While "who" holds the grammatical position of a SUBJECT, "whom" holds the grammatical position of an OBJECT.
Subject = the "doer." Object = the DIRECT OBJECT or the INDIRECT OBJECT or the OBJECT of a preposition...the "do-ee."

THE TRICK:

IF replacing the who/whom in question with HE--simply because it SOUNDS BETTER--use WHO.

IF replacing the who/whom in question with HIM--simply because it SOUNDS BETTER--use WHOM.

IE:
With the question:

To who/whom should I give the "Offed by a Clinton" Award?

Try replacing the space with each, "he" and "him."
Although it's not totally "sensical," the better sounding choice is...

To HIM should I give...

(more clearly, Should I give the "Offed by a Clinton" award to HIM?
SOOOOOooooo...since "HIM" = "WHOM,"

the correct "who/whom-ness" of the question should be:

To WHOM should I give...?

IE:
Who/Whom was the oldest goat in the pool?

Try replacing the space with each, "he" and "him."

It makes much more sense to the ear to replace the who/whom with:

He was the oldest...

than with:

Him was the oldest...

SOOOOOoooooo....since "HE" = "WHO"...

The answer is...WHO was the oldest goat in the pool?

[bannie]

I hope I didn't overstep any protocol. I'm sure most know this, but I received interest in this little trick.

If it looks too confusing, just look at "THE TRICK" part of my stuff!

[bannie]

A playful "bump"

[fnord]

cool

[gcruse]

I'll be more concerned about who and whom once we get rid of the much worse confusion of 'him and me' vs 'he and I.' Even the people doing public speaking screw that one up regularly.

[WhiteGuy]

All of my English teachers, all those hours in class.....

and you straighten it all out for me in 20 seconds.

You ARE a great American!!!

[Quix]

Much thanks.

Has long been a bugaboo for me.

I never pretended to know grammar labels etc. well.

[willieroe]

Its great to see this information on it's own thread. :-)

[yankeedame]

Ah yes, and don't forget:

I after E except before C, and E before N in 'chicken'.

Hens "lay" and people "lie".

[netmilsmom]

Here, here.
This is a future lesson in reserve!

[John Beresford Tipton]

"'him and me' vs 'he and I.' "

Yes, and imagine the problem Sybil has with her multiple personalities.

[CharacterCounts]

Your trick seems to work better for statements than questions.

He do you trust?

Him do you trust?

Which is correct?

[Erasmus]

I after E except before C, and E before N in 'chicken'.

For every time I've seen someone write 'chickne' I'll give you a nickle.

<]B^)

[pipecorp]

Yes, but bill lies after he lays.

[Erasmus]

Since you are using the interrogatory form, you can un-invert the word order and then it becomes clear:

Do you trust him?

vs.

Do you trust he?

[Focault's Pendulum]

I don't understand the question.

[Tulsa Brian]

Actually, will and shall have always tripped me up...:-)

[not_apathetic_anymore]

Now do you have any tricks for affect/effect???? I'll often change whole sentences to avoid those words since I'm never really sure.

[CharacterCounts]

Great!

So that old TV show "Who Do You Trust" was bad grammar.

[Erasmus]

Hens "lay" and people "lie".

Here's how I remember the rule:

He: "Let's lie together."

She: "OK. I love you and will be true to you forever. Your turn."

[bastantebueno55]

Hens "lay" and people "lie".

This is true in the present tense. Last week my wife fell and broke her ankle. She LAY on the ground for five minutes before someone came along and found her.

The hen LAID one egg every day last week.