Posted on 04/30/2003 6:15:29 PM PDT by 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?
You're right, and over at DU they are arguing over "which Republican is the biggest c*cksucker."
"I am relieved that this flight has finally come to an end."
Regards,
PS: Remember that famous line from the opening of Star Trek? To boldly go where no man has gone before.
Wrong. Split infinitives are naughty. Nevertheless, "to go boldly where no man has gone before" sounds just plain silly, even though it is correct.
That's a tricky one, but you nailed it! "Who" is doing the "reminding", not "you".
I have to disagree: THEY (subject) do remind (verb) you (IO) of whom (preposition and object of preposition)?
Only when I can tear myself away from you fellers.
Um...well, not all public school teachers are merely "semi's." It's our job to encourage wise young people to BECOME teachers.
;-)
I assume that "the most affected" shall be a WHO/WHOM and not a WHICH.
:D
You DO well. It IS good.
WELL is an adverb: GOOD is an adjective.
Adverbs describe/modify verbs, adjectives and other adverbs: Adjectives describe/modify nouns/pronouns.
"I am relieved that this flight has finally come to an end."
Careful, it's a trick! When you use the word "over", as in "the flight is over", it's an adverb, not a preposition, and it is a perfectly acceptable word (ahem)...WITH WHICH TO END A SENTENCE! (whew)
This refers to one unit, a singular item, a "lot."
This would, therefore, be "There is a lot."
I might be wrong on this. If you have more consideration, I would love to hear it.
Scandalous! Repent!
Just substitute the word "boatload" for lot. Boatload is obviously singular, problem solved.
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