Grammar Central
Basics for Communicating Clearly
by Linda Shacklock
whom
Like the pronouns me, him, her, us, and them, the pronoun whom is used as an object, not a subject.
To whom [object of "To"] should I give the meeting agenda?
He brought the books for whom [object of "for"]?
Please tell me when you decide whom [object of "will hire"] you will hire.
Because the use of whom can be difficult and can sound stilted even when used correctly, try to avoid whom by replacing it with a noun phrase.
To which person should I give the meeting agenda?
He brought the books for which student?
Please tell me when you decide which candidate you will hire.
whomever
Like the pronoun whom, the pronoun whomever is used as an object, not a subject, but whomever leads to cumbersome constructions and is best avoided.
Give the meeting agenda to whomever you see first.
[Better: Give the meeting agenda to the first person (whom) you see.]
We'll hire whomever you find most qualified.
[Better: We'll hire the applicant (whom) you find most qualified.]
We'll heap praise on whomever the boss identifies.
[Better: We'll heap praise on the person (whom) the boss identifies.]
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