whomever

Whomever is a pronoun in English formed from who + ever. It functions primarily as an object within a dependent clause and can serve as the subject of the main clause when the entire clause acts as a noun phrase. For example: Whomever you invite will be welcomed. In this sentence, the subordinate clause contains whomever as the object of invite, while the clause itself serves as the subject of will be welcomed.

In standard grammar, whomever is the oblique form of the relative pronoun whover, contrasting with whoever, which is used in cases where the pronoun inside the clause is the subject. The form whomever is often preferred in formal or legal writing, especially when the pronoun functions as an object inside the dependent clause, or when preserving traditional case is desired. The somewhat rarer form whomsoever is a more emphatic or archaic variant found in older or highly formal text.

Usage notes and variation: Many contemporary guides allow whoever in most contexts, particularly when the pronoun acts as the subject of the relative clause or when the sentence is informal. Whomever is commonly chosen when the pronoun is the object of a verb or of a preposition within the clause, or in formal writing where strict case distinction is observed. After a preposition, whomever is often used, though increasingly whoever is accepted in everyday language.

Examples:

- Whomever you hire will lead the project.

- Please deliver the package to whomever arrives first.

- Whoever wins the award will be celebrated. (more common in everyday use)

- Whomever you choose will be approved. (formal usage)

Whomever thus occupies a niche between subject-focused and object-focused use, reflecting English’s evolving treatment of case in complex clauses.

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