whomsoever

Whoever; whomever

 Rule 1.

 To determine whether to use whoever or whomever, here is the rule:

him + he = whoever

him + him = whomever

  Examples:

 Give it to whoever/whomever asks for it first.

 Give it to him. He asks for it first.

 Therefore, Give it to whoever asks for it first.

 We will hire whoever/whomever you recommend.

We will hire him. You recommend him.

him + him = whomever

 We will hire whoever/whomever is most qualified.

We will hire him. He is most qualified.

him + he = whoever

 Rule 2.

 When the entire whoever/whomever clause is the subject of the verb that follows the clause, look inside the clause to determine whether to use whoever or whomever.

  Examples:

 Whoever is elected will serve a four-year term.

 Whoever is elected is the subject of will serve.

 Whoever is the subject of is.

 Whomever you elect will serve a four-year term.

 Whomever you elect is the subject of will serve.

 Whomever is the object of you elect

 Who; whom

 Rule.

 Use the he/him method to decide which word is correct.

he = who

him = whom

  Examples:

 Who/Whom wrote the letter?

He wrote the letter. Therefore, who is correct.

 For who/whom should I vote?

Should I vote for him? Therefore, whom is correct.

 We all know who/whom pulled that prank.

This sentence contains two clauses: We all know and who/whom pulled that prank. We are interested in the second clause because it contains the who/whom. He pulled that prank. Therefore, who is correct. (Are you starting to sound like a hooting owl yet?)

 We want to know on who/whom the prank was pulled.

This sentence contains two clauses: We want to know and the prank was pulled on who/whom. Again, we are interested in the second clause because it contains the who/whom. The prank was pulled on him. Therefore, whom is correct.