Using 'whom'...yea or nay??? (difference, sentence, grammar, quote)

[in_newengland]

Originally Posted by stan4

Was not aware we had a choice.

I'm not clear on what you mean. A choice of what? The OP is about using who or whom. Do you differentiate or do you just more or less ignore any rules about which one to use.

[Settled in PNW]

Part of the beauty of the English language is its flexibility. We don't speak the language of Shakespeare, nor that of the last King Edward, nor that of George Washington. Our language mutates, expands, contracts, evolves. "Whom" seems a corseted Edwardian grande dame in this age of blue jeans and tee-shirts. Let it retreat to its dry dusty shelves while "who" speeds along on the waves of the 21st century.

[Dirt Grinder]

Originally Posted by CA4Now

I do. But you're right, has the bell tolled for whom?

I suppose the modernized version will be "Peeps what the bell rings for."

[CA4Now]

I just read in the "Letters to the Editor" section of our newspaper, "Whomever decided to support this agenda was unaware of the consequences."

That's really mixing up the usage of who/whom.

[ABQConvict]

I am a 'whomer'.

[pink caddy]

Originally Posted by Dirt Grinder

I suppose the modernized version will be "Peeps what the bell rings for."

Or....."Who dat?"

[Delahanty]

Originally Posted by wutitiz

I am no expert on grammar but I still use "whom" rather than who when the objective form is called for. I notice that the use of 'whom' seems to be dying out, even among professional communicators. I notice that in a lot of advertising, for example, 'who' is always used. It doesn't really bother me. Years ago I recall William F. Buckley saying that he accepted the use of 'who' as objective (but not 'whom' when the subjective was required).

The other day there was a controversy about some high school students chanting "USA, USA" at a basketball game and the school district superintendent, Dr. Kevin Brown sent out a letter to parents about it:
Alamo Heights ISD letter to parents about Edison-Alamo Heights game incident | kens5.com San Antonio

From the letter:


I was surprised that even a professional educator declines to use 'whom.' In fact the only people I know of who still seem to use it are print journalists, and I like that they do. I once got a chance to ask 'Grammar Girl' Mignon Fogarty (whom I like(haha)) about this. She said that she still greatly preferred that 'whom' be used where appropriate, and did not seem at all pleased that it is dying out.

Grammar Girl :: Quick and Dirty Tips â„¢

So what is your opinion about the use of 'whom?' Do you use it? If so do you look down upon those who don't. If not, how do you feel about those who do? Does it come off as snobby?

I don't like to criticize correct usage, but I think the use of "whom" can come off sounding affectatious when speaking informally. I also don't say "It's I" when I'm at someone's door.

[Dirt Grinder]

He, who uses "whom," is the "him" to whom I wish to speak.

[CA4Now]

Just read this in the "Ask Amy" column:
"Toward the end of college, I met a man who I thought was going to be Mr. Right."

Isn't it "whom"....or am I mistaken?

[Mightyqueen801]

Originally Posted by CA4Now

Just read this in the "Ask Amy" column:
"Toward the end of college, I met a man who I thought was going to be Mr. Right."

Isn't it "whom"....or am I mistaken?

No, it's not "whom". Easy trick to check, rearrange the sentence. "Who" goes with "He, She, They". "Whom" goes with "Him, Her, Them".

What works--"I thought HE was going to be Mr. Right", or "I thought HIM was going to be Mr. Right."

It's "he", so it's "who".