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May 28

Who he said was late

Posted on Friday, May 28, 2010 in Misused words and expressions

Whom

Often incorrectly used for who before he said or similar expressions, when it is really the subject of a following verb.

Poor: His brother, whom he said would send him the money.
Better: His brother, who he said would send him the money.

Poor: The man whom he thought was his friend.
Better: The man who (that) he thought was his friend (whom he thought his friend).

From: William Strunk, Jr., The Elements of Style, 1918.

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