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October 3, 2000
WHO VS. WHOM--PART III
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This is our third issue in which we deal with the differences between "who" and "whom" in writing. This week we'll look at special cases.
In subordinate clauses, use "whoever" for subjects and "whomever" for objects:
Do your best for whoever teaches the class.
("whoever" replaces the subject pronoun as the doer of verb action, "teaches")
Kim doesn't know whom her boss fired.
("whom" receives action of "fired")
To test for appropriate case, rewrite the subordinate clause (also called the dependent clause) as a separate sentence. Then check to see whether subjective or objective case pronouns will substitute:
Jim isn't sure who's in charge.
Subordinate clause = Who's in charge?
HE is in charge (subjective case). (NOT "HIM" is in charge--objective case.)
Use subjective case = "who")
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Finally, several sources suggest that when in doubt and with no time to check, use "who" which will pass muster in most instances--except as an object of the preposition (for whom, by whom, with whom, etc.).
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SPELLING OR WRITING TIP
When adding a prefix to a word, generally you do not need to change the original word by adding or dropping letters:
co + operate = cooperate
de + regulate = deregulate
mis + spell = misspell
(We will discuss the use of hyphens with prefixes in a future issue.)
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NEW WORD OF THE WEEK:
KNELL (pronounced "nel") verb: to sound or toll a bell.
The young pastor asked his clerk to knell the tower chimes.
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YOUR GRAMMAR AND WRITING QUESTIONS
GRAMMARCHECK: How do you use dashes?
QUESTION: We will work with dashes in an upcoming issue.
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QUESTION: As far as I know, only coordinating conjunctions like "and" or "but" should not be used to begin a sentence for stylistic reasons. "However" and "Though" (termed as subordinating conjunctions) can be used to begin a sentence. Hence, it's perfectly alright to say the following:
However, this food tastes horrible.
-but not-
But this food tastes horrible.
GRAMMARCHECK: The purpose of coordinating conjunctions is to combine main clauses. However, sometimes they are used at the beginning of a sentence:
I wouldn't do that if I were you. BUT don't take just my word for it.
Don't ever come back to this house again. AND the same goes for your stupid dog!
John had said all he could on the subject. SO he put on his hat and left.
Val disliked all the noise in her dorm. YET she decided to stay.
As you can see, each of the pairs of sentences above could be joined to make compound sentences. But if a writer so chooses, the clauses can remain separate to allow the second sentence in each set to begin with a coordinating conjunction. This format is more likely to be found in fiction than in professional writing.
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QUESTION: Does "you're" signify possession?
GRAMMARCHECK: No. The "you're" cited above is a contraction of the phrase "you are."
Possession is shown by the word "your."
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QUESTION: Which is correct?
I appreciate you taking the time to meet with John and I last week.
-or-
I appreciate you taking the time to meet with John and me last week.
GRAMMARCHECK: Your sentence should be written as follows:
I appreciate you taking the time to meet with John and me last week.
("me" is in the object position, requiring the objective form of the pronoun)
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QUESTION: In the following sentence, is "your" used appropriately?
You indicated your rescinding all rights and claims that you have as beneficiary. . . .
GRAMMARCHECK: Depending on how the sentence continues, "your" may or may not be correct:
EXAMPLES:
You indicated your rescinding all rights and claims that you have as beneficiary [WILL HAVE NO BEARING ON HER LEGAL CASE.]
In the above example, the use of "your" works with the optional ending we have provided. However, look at the following:
You indicated you're rescinding all rights and claims that you have as beneficiary [AND THAT NOTHING FURTHER NEED TO BE DONE IN THIS MATTER.]
In this example, the use of "you're" changes the meaning of the sentence to correlate with the second optional ending we've provided.
Remember that "you're" is a contraction of "you are" while "your" shows possession.
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