Great point, Gordon. It’s not just the grammar that matters. It’s the mindset that attends to such things and that cares about clarity and accuracy. Nice to hear from you. I’d better start posting again. Feels good 🙂
Great to see you back in the blogosphere, Jeanne.
I don’t think I was ever taught the difference between who and whom that had picked up its usage from my reading. Incorrectly as it turned out, as I discovered the rule, explained as in the New Yorker article, only a year ago in style guide by Steven Pinker.
I still might slip up occasionally but try to use it correctly. But a misplaced whom always looks worse than a misplaced who so I can appreciate those who choose to err on the side of caution.
Hi Anne,
I do so miss blogging. And following othe blogs like (ok, such as) yours. I always have a line of unread notices in my inbox. As for whom, it’s true not many would miss it, and misuse of who passes with nary a blip on the public grammar detector. But whom shall no doubt live on in the impersonal business greeting. “To whom it may concern,” I salute you. Oh, and congratulations on your new book!!! So exciting!
I stand firmly in the WHOM camp. Keep the Barbarians at bay. What about you?
Definatly whom.
My son, a graduate in English from Oxford, made a similar point when reading election literature, when he came ot vote in his first election.
“I like his policies, but how can I be expected to vote for someone who misplaces the possessive apostrophe.”
Great point, Gordon. It’s not just the grammar that matters. It’s the mindset that attends to such things and that cares about clarity and accuracy. Nice to hear from you. I’d better start posting again. Feels good 🙂
Eh, whom kares?
(Or maybe we should keep it and try our best to use it correctly; this article helps make sense of it)
Language evolves. Time will make the decision for us on whether or not “whom” gets the axe. Thanks for your comment!
Great to see you back in the blogosphere, Jeanne.
I don’t think I was ever taught the difference between who and whom that had picked up its usage from my reading. Incorrectly as it turned out, as I discovered the rule, explained as in the New Yorker article, only a year ago in style guide by Steven Pinker.
I still might slip up occasionally but try to use it correctly. But a misplaced whom always looks worse than a misplaced who so I can appreciate those who choose to err on the side of caution.
Hi Anne,
I do so miss blogging. And following othe blogs like (ok, such as) yours. I always have a line of unread notices in my inbox. As for whom, it’s true not many would miss it, and misuse of who passes with nary a blip on the public grammar detector. But whom shall no doubt live on in the impersonal business greeting. “To whom it may concern,” I salute you. Oh, and congratulations on your new book!!! So exciting!