The Grammar Doctor

Q. Could you tell me if this is correct: "...the person should call and inform whomever is waiting." Thanks very much.

A. It should be, "The person should call and inform whoever is waiting."

"Whoever/whomever" comes after the verb, and it seems as though it should be the direct object and be in the objective form (whomever). In fact, the direct object is the entire clause (whoever is waiting). "Whoever" is the subject of that clause.


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