Grammar-licious: Making Grammar Fun - November

Let’s chat about the who/whom conundrum. It’s common to find “whom” in formal speech and writing, and “who” in informal speech and writing, but let’s take a step toward using each term correctly.

The best trick I’ve found is that when deciding between ‘who’ and ‘whom’, reword the clause using ‘he’ or ‘him’. If ‘he’ is appropriate, then ‘who’ will be the correct word; likewise, if ‘him’ fits, then ‘whom’ is correct. (Note: You can use ‘she’ and ‘her’, but by using he/him, you can key off the ‘m’ in ‘him’ and know to use ‘whom’.)

Follow these examples.

I met the writer who/whom wrote this story.
Reworded: The writer wrote this story. He wrote this story.
Correct usage: I met the writer who wrote this story.

She is the kind of person who/whom I admire.
Reworded: I admire him.
Correct usage: She is the kind of person whom I admire.

Give the gift to whoever/whomever is standing at the back door.
Reworded: He is standing at the back door.
Correct usage: Give the gift to whoever is standing at the back door.

Give the gift to whoever/whomever you find at the back door.
Reworded: You will find him at the back door.
Correct usage: Give the gift to whomever you find at the back door.

The play is about a girl who/whom wants to become an anthropologist.
Reworded: The girl wants to become an anthropologist. He wants to become an anthropologist.
Correct usage: The play is about a girl who wants to become an anthropologist.

Have you met the employee who/whom Mrs. Sniffles hired?
Reworded: Mrs. Sniffles hired him.
Correct usage: Have you met the employee whom Mrs. Sniffles hired?

The waiter who/whom you spoke to no longer works there.
Reworded: You spoke to him.
Correct usage: The waiter whom you spoke to no longer works there.

To who/whom it may concern.
Reworded: It may concern him.
Correct usage: To whom it may concern.

Who/Whom needs a ride to school?
Reworded: He needs a ride to school.
Correct usage: Who needs a ride to school?

Who/Whom did Sheila hire to replace me?
Reworded: Sheila hired him.
Correct usage: Whom did Sheila hire to replace me?

Do you know who/whom will speak at the writer’s conference?
Reworded: He will speak at the conference.
Correct usage: Do you know who will speak at the writer’s conference?

Oh my, who/whom can I trust with all this money?
Reworded: I can trust him.
Correct usage: Oh my, whom can I trust with all this money?


This month’s recommended grammar book is: Painless Grammar by Rebecca Elliott, Ph.D.


I like finding ways to remember the ‘rules’ and hope you can find something helpful. It’s my hope the monthly grammar techniques and usage examples will make grammar a lot less frightening and potentially enjoyable (can you imagine?) for you.

If you have grammar topics you’d like to see covered, please leave a comment or contact me!

(originally published in TWC Spotlight for August, 2008)

Is there relief from a turkey coma?

To those in the United States, let me wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.

This time of year can be extremely stressful for some folks, especially writers who need their quiet time to write. Those working on their NANOWRIMO stories are feeling the effects of either pulling into the homestretch or falling behind. The biggest question on our minds is: How do we concentrate on our characters, our worlds and ideas with nosey family poking their heads in and the onset of a turkey-coma?

I say don't worry about it. Don't try. You deserve a day off--ONE day off. So before I turn you loose on the relatives, here's my list of the ten things this author is thankful for.

10. The turkey coma. Yep, you read that corretly. Hey, we all could use a nap now and then. It helps the mind work on those plot problems.
9. The yard's done and the house clean for guests which means we have all week off from it next week. I'm going to use THAT time to write.
8. Leftovers are great. No cooking, just munching for the next several days. I do enjoy being a bum sometimes.
7. Getting to bore family and friends with talk about my books, my current story and other ideas. Yes, it's an evil thing to do. Grin.
6. Sleeping in! (See #10)
5. Lounging on the couch with both cats and some steaming coffee while watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV. There's just something about being all warm while watching other people freeze their butts off.
4. Okay, yes, I'm thankful for my computer and all my nifty software. I'm so lost without you.
3. My chat buddies who put up with my bad jokes, bad moods and overall bossiness. You couldn't get rid of me if you tried.
2. My sweet, sweet husband who encourages me to write. Everybody needs one of those.
1. I can read something for enjoyment. Now if I can figure out which one in this To Be Read pile.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!