Trebek/Obama/Borger/Montagne
QUESTION: What do Jeopardy host Alex Trebek, President Obama, and journalists Gloria Borger and Renée Montagne have in common?
ANSWER: They all need to learn the difference between who and whom.
- Alex Trebek commenting on a previous Jeopardy winner: “She didn’t know who she’d be facing.”
Correction: She didn’t know whom she’d be facing.
- President Obama in his announcement about refugees: “The US is increasing the number of refugees who we welcome within our borders.”
Correction: The US is increasing the number of refugees whom we welcome within our borders.
- Gloria Borger (CNN) speaking about Justice Scalia’s replacement on the Supreme Court: “I do think who the President nominates matters.”
Correction: I do think whom the President nominates matters.
- Renée Montagne (NPR) asks, “Who do you hear people blaming for the accidental bombing of the Afghani hospital?”
Correction: Whom do you hear people blaming for the accidental bombing of the Afghani hospital?
GRAMMAR RULE: Who is nominative and is used for subjects and predicate nominatives.
Whom is objective and is used for direct and indirect objects and for objects
of phrases.
See: The Cooper Hill Stylebook § 6.