whomever

I read the following sentence in a newspaper:

Carmelo Anthony, 16 points in the first quarter and 32 in the game, went into the low post and abused whoever tried to guard him.

I would have written "whomever." Is "whoever" correct?

Thanks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jasmin165

I read the following sentence in a newspaper:

Carmelo Anthony, 16 points in the first quarter and 32 in the game, went into the low post and abused whoever tried to guard him.

I would have written "whomever." Is "whoever" correct?

Thanks.

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Yes, 'whoever' is correct. The form of the pronoun in such cases is determined by its role within its own clause, not within the main clause: it is the subject of the verb 'tried' and consequently requires the nominative form.

Cf.

You may give this to whomever you choose.

where it functions as object within its clause.