A lot of people misuse who and whom. Do they want to sound like a butler?
2007-05-14 07:40:59 · 9 answers · asked by Captain705 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Some people might incorrectly use 'whom' to sound smart; others who do use it correctly might do so for the same reason, or might use it because 'who' sounds terrible and wrong. When I use 'whom,' I tend to use a joking tone to keep people from thinking I'm just putting on airs. I've also noticed that people use 'I' incorrectly, often (I think) to sound smart (backfire). For example, "The president invited he and I to the charity dinner." Whoops.
2007-05-14 07:49:33 · answer #1 · answered by Lea A 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I suppose some people might use "whom" to sound smart, but anyone who uses it correctly is just speaking proper English. I don't like the argument that people who speak properly are "putting on airs." And I agree with the person who wrote that misusing "I" in place of "me" is often done by people trying to sound smart.
2007-05-14 08:26:50 · answer #2 · answered by Kathryn 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Think of it another way. I may be a bit older, but when I was young, proper use of who and whom was simply ingrained in me. It's just how I was taught. It's certainly clear today that common usage has evolved since I was young. Few people use whom at all, and some use it incorrectly when they do employ it.
But for me, no, it's quite the opposite of what you suggest. At times I have to consciously think about NOT using whom since I know that many people nowadays will hear it and think I'm being overly formal when for me, using it correctly is more or less unconscious.
2007-05-14 07:52:44 · answer #3 · answered by DAO 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I had a very proper grandmother who used to drum it into me not to end a sentence with a preposition.
This has led me to struggle constantly with the uptight sounding "to whom " as opposed to the normal "who to".
It's a battle, so I tend to write more formally than I talk, because MS word checks my grammar, and I am not treated like a weirdo because I'm talking funny.. :P
2007-05-14 10:06:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
One of those words people use to sound smart. Furthermore...
2007-05-14 07:51:48 · answer #5 · answered by Wolf guy lupine 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if they misuse it then they arent smart ;)
that also means they want to sound smart which is sad
2007-05-14 07:50:20 · answer #6 · answered by nessa 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's easy. If you would use him, then you can use whom. For example to him/ to whom, with him/ with whom, or for him/ for whom.
2007-05-14 07:50:53 · answer #7 · answered by Dusie 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
whomever does must be a clever b*stard.
2007-05-14 07:48:30 · answer #8 · answered by exile 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not if they actually know how to use it (which I don't).
2007-05-14 07:48:23 · answer #9 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋