both of

[navi tasan]

Which is correct:
1-I know two lawyers both of whom are competent.
2-I know two lawyers both of which are competent.

Is 2 ever used by native speakers?

 

[Francois]

The first one is correct, the second one is not.

FRC

 

[Tdol]

I agree with Francois, though you might possibly hear it. However, it wouldn't be regarded as very good English; more of a performance error.;-)

 

[navi tasan]

Thanks TDOL.
I heard it in a film, that's why I asked. I think it is sometimes used simply because you can't use "who" here instead of "whom" and "whom" is starting to sound a bit too refined.
That is of-course only my theory.

 

[Tdol]

Maybe the speaker doesn't think of lawyers as human. :lol:

It could be to avoid using 'whom', but I wouldn't recommend it- a student who did it in an exam would be marked wrong.;-)

 

[MikeNewYork]

Which is correct:
1-I know two lawyers both of whom are competent.
2-I know two lawyers both of which are competent.

Is 2 ever used by native speakers?

I agree with the others, but I'll add that a comma should be placed after "lawyers".

 

[navi tasan]

Good point!

 

[MikeNewYork]

Good point!

Thank you!

 

[navi tasan]

You're welcome Mike.

 

[MikeNewYork]

You're welcome Mike.

:smilecol: