whoever/whomever again

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Iwazaru

#481274 Mon, 25 Feb 08 07:08 AM

Hi, people. I'm new to the grammar forums and I have a question regarding who(m)ever.

I have this setence:

"Both versions were drastically opposite, which meant that whoever was lying was a big fat nasty liar."

Something makes "whomever" ring correctly in this sentence. Which one would be correct?

Thank you!

Joined on Mon, Feb 25 2008

New Member (02)

CalifJim

#481275 Mon, 25 Feb 08 07:16 AM

Iwazaru
Something makes "whomever" ring correctly

Your bell needs a tune-up!

It's whoever because it's the subject of the clause whoever was lying.

You'd ask Who was lying?, not Whom was lying? (I hope!) Smile

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

California

Veteran Member (16,932)

"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

Iwazaru

#481279 Mon, 25 Feb 08 07:32 AM

Doesn't the rest of the sentence "was a [...] liar" modify the initial clause ("was lying") somehow?

Thanks, CJ.