whomever

[Allen165]

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.

[philo2009]

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.

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.