Who? Whom? Today's "Gotcha" Grammar Glitch

Using WHO and WHOM correctly is not too difficult if you already grasp the concept of subject spot in a sentence or clause as opposed to object spot in a sentence or clause.

Simply put, use WHO in the subject spot or WHOM in the object spot. The trick, of course, is to be sure you figure out which is which.

Chanda Temple Guster forgot this concept when she wrote a short review of Jenny Levin's new book of practical fashion advice from Harper's Bazaar magazine. Describing Levin, Chanda wrote the following:

Levin, whom today is a freelance writer living in Hong Kong, also addresses how to look fabulous at any age....

Whoops! In this sentence, the choice should be WHO because "who" is in the subject spot with "is" as its verb. There are two clauses here, and EACH ONE needs its own subject.

Levin also addresses how to look fabulous at any age.
...who is today a freelance writer living in Hong Kong...

Even when you combine these into one sentence, the inserted clause still needs the subject form WHO. The sentence should read as follows:

Levin, who today is a freelance writer living in Hong Kong, also addresses how to look fabulous at any age....

I hope this helps you keep the WHO and WHOM issue straight. And here's hoping the New Year finds you looking and feeling fabulous at whatever age you take on in 2008!