# whomever

/huˈmɛvɝ/ (US) · /hˈuːmɛvɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Pronoun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/whomever
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

any person at all, used when that person is the object of a verb or preposition. You use this in very formal writing instead of 'whoever'.

For teachers: the objective case of 'whoever', used as the object of a verb or a preposition. Primarily restricted to formal or literary registers; in modern speech, 'whoever' is almost universally substituted.

## Examples

- You can invite whomever you like to the party.
- The committee will grant the scholarship to whomever they deem most deserving after the final interviews.
- The legal document stipulates that the assets shall be distributed to whomever the executor identifies as the primary beneficiary, provided all tax obligations have been met.

## Pitfalls

- Not "Whomever wants to go is welcome." but "Whoever wants to go is welcome." — Use 'whoever' for the subject of a verb ('wants') and 'whomever' only for the object.

## Usage notes

- Used as an object pronoun; often follows a preposition like 'to', 'for', or 'with'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.