September 23, 2011, 21:36
KallehA peevish sort of question
My husband said that one of his pet peeves is when the clerk says, "May I help whoever is next?" He thinks it should be "whomever."
I think he is wrong. Wouldn't the object of the verb be the entire phrase "whoever is next?" If the sentence were "May I help whomever?" I could see his point.
What are your thoughts?
September 24, 2011, 02:21
BobHaleWell...
"whomever is next" would certainly be an object phrase and therefore would fit the sentence,
BUT
I think he's fighting a battle that's already lost. The word "whomever" is used by almost no one nowadays (shu excepted of course).
September 24, 2011, 05:27
<Proofreader>I would have to cast a peevish look at whomever used "whomever."
September 24, 2011, 05:42
GeoffSince it's not the object of a preposition, but the object of a proposition (The clerk proposes to help the next in line) I would use "whoever."
September 24, 2011, 07:13
zmježdAsk him which one he would say:
1.
I like he who is next.2.
I like him who is next.3.
I like him whom is next.September 25, 2011, 15:58
goofy sort of relatedSeptember 25, 2011, 19:53
Kallehquote:
"whomever is next" would certainly be an object phrase and therefore would fit the sentence,
BUT
I think he's fighting a battle that's already lost. The word "whomever" is used by almost no one nowadays (shu excepted of course).
Well, you are an English teacher, so I guess I have to take your word for it. However, I didn't think it was correct since the entire phrase (whoever is next) is the object.
Z, Shu is exhausted from our daughter's wedding this weekend and is sleeping. But I definitely will ask him about those three sentences. He actually began to think I was right after I argued my side. He'll be happy to hear Bob's view!