Results 1 to 5 of 5
Like Tree2Likes
  • 1 Post By 5jj
  • 1 Post By birdeen's call

Thread: whosever??

  1. #1
    Katy Choi is offline Newbie
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • Student or Learner
      • Native Language:
      • Korean
      • Home Country:
      • South Korea
      • Current Location:
      • South Korea
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Posts
    11

    Default whosever??

    I've learned about wh-ever, and they said, "whosever is whoever's possessive case and whomever is the objective case of whoever." Then, can I say ,"whosever book it is,
    I will borrow it" or "whosever it was, it is mine now"? could you give me some examples with whosever and whomever?

  2. #2
    5jj's Avatar
    5jj
    5jj is online now Moderator
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • English Teacher
      • Native Language:
      • British English
      • Home Country:
      • England
      • Current Location:
      • Czech Republic
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    16,999
    Teacher

    Default Re: whosever??

    Quote Originally Posted by Katy Choi View Post
    I've learned about wh-ever, and they said, "whosever is whoever's possessive case and
    Who said that? Ask them why they used "whoever's" two words later.
    emsr2d2 likes this.
    Context is always important; labelling is rarely important.


  3. #3
    birdeen's call's Avatar
    birdeen's call is offline Key Member
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • Student or Learner
      • Native Language:
      • Polish
      • Home Country:
      • Poland
      • Current Location:
      • Poland
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Posts
    4,533

    Default Re: whosever??

    Quote Originally Posted by 5jj View Post
    Who said that? Ask them why they used "whoever's" two words later.
    Using "whosever" instead of "whoever's" would make no sense in this case. What they meant is

    Whosever is the possessive case of the word whoever.

    or

    Whosever is (the word whoever)'s possessive case.

    The word "whoever" is not equal to whomever. Or something like this. Anyway, their usage isn't inconsistent.
    Last edited by birdeen's call; 07-Dec-2011 at 00:41.

  4. #4
    birdeen's call's Avatar
    birdeen's call is offline Key Member
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • Student or Learner
      • Native Language:
      • Polish
      • Home Country:
      • Poland
      • Current Location:
      • Poland
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Posts
    4,533

    Default Re: whosever??

    Quote Originally Posted by Katy Choi View Post
    IThen, can I say ,"whosever book it is,
    I will borrow it" or "whosever it was, it is mine now"? could you give me some examples with whosever and whomever?
    Your sentences are correct.

    Note that "whosever" is a very rare word. "Whomever" is more frequent but also rare. For examples, have a look here: CORPORA: 45-425 million words each: free online access

    Note also that there is a word similar to "whosever", namely "whosoever". They don't mean the same thing.
    5jj likes this.

  5. #5
    Katy Choi is offline Newbie
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • Student or Learner
      • Native Language:
      • Korean
      • Home Country:
      • South Korea
      • Current Location:
      • South Korea
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Posts
    11
    Threadstarter / Original Poster

    Default Re: whosever??

    well,, To use wh-ever, I'd better study harder. Do you know any books about wh- ever for this grammar tips ,or websites?

Similar Threads

  1. why I can't find the word"whosever" in dictionaries?
    By roseriver1012 in forum Ask a Teacher
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 20-Apr-2010, 10:03

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0