whoever/whomever ¹

首先应当明确,关系代词 whoever(有的语法学家将其称作连接代词)取主格形式,还是取宾格形式(whomever),取决于它在从句中的语法地位(主语、宾语、表语)。只有当它在从句中充当宾语时,才取 whomever 的形式(但亦可用 whoever 代替)。而在上面的句子里它在从句中充当 (comes) 的主语。下面是 whomever 在从句中充当宾语的例句:

1. Give it to whomever (whoever) you like. (Palmer) 你愿给谁就给谁吧。

2. They should enjoy complete freedom to marry whomever they might desire. (Foster) 他们应该享有完全的自由,他们愿意和谁结婚就和谁结婚。

还应记住,只有在非常正式的语境里,才使用宾格形式的whomever。如同只有在非常正式的语境里才使用宾格形式的whom一样。因此,人们常常用whoever来代替宾格形式的whomever:

1. Whoever you invite will be welcome. (Clark) 你请谁,谁就会受到欢迎。

2. She can marry whoever she chooses. (Eckersley) 她选择谁, 就和谁结婚。

3. Whoever they lend the money to must be trustworthy. (CGEL) 你借给他钱的人必须靠得住。

4. Give it to whoever you see in the classroom. 你在教室里看见谁，就把它给谁。请做下面的托福题：

5. The columnist feels sure who wins the election will have the support of the parties. (TOEFL)

6. That rich woman $\$frac{\text{offered}}{\text{A}} $\$frac{\text{a reward}}{\text{B}} to $\$frac{\text{who}}{\text{C}} would restore her $\$frac{\text{lost}}{\text{D}} car. (TOEFL)