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whoever, singular or plural?

6 replies
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There is no doubt whoever obtained these photos have them uploaded on the Internet with malicious and deliberate intent. (Edison Chen)

Is whoever a plural pornoun?
Contributing Member1,620
:
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Whoever is singular, and to be grammatially correct, the sentence should read has. And it should read 'has uploaded them'.
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Veteran Member77,125
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:
How about the acceptability of the following sentence?

Whoever want to, try to come up with one.
:
TeoWhoever want to, try to come up with one.
No. Can't do it. Use wants.
CJ
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Anonymous:
The questionof 'whoever' being sing. or plural depends on its use in the sentence, and if it is qualified by a noun in apposition:
Always singular: Whoever is here can pick up a form. = Whoever is it that is here.../It does not matter who the person is, he or she can pick up a form.
However, if the pronoun 'whoever' is followed by a noun, the noun can be singular or plural, and the verb agrees with that noun:
Whoever the successful candidates are, they will be rewarded.
Whoever the successful candidate is,he or she will be rewarded.
Whoever you are, know that I have always depended on the kindness of strangers...
Whoever they are, they will be apprehended soon.

Hope that helps.
Visnja (better late than never)
Anonymous:
What about "the job of watching the fire so it doesn't go out is left to whoever job it is."
:
... to whoever's job it is is often seen, but it's probably more correct to write ... to whosever job it is.

CJ
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