A litte grammar help with who and whom

[Hanpan]

This is NOT a homework assignment of mine, but english is not my first language, and I read the following in an article:


"...the most prominent of whom..."

now in general I know that a prepostition is followed by whom instead of who, however in this case, I am not sure it's correct. I have been tought that if one refers to a direct object, one would use who, while any indirect object requires whom. However this phrase has me stumped due to its rather trickey wording. Just wondering if there were any english majors/grammar nazis that might shed some insight on this dilemma.

Thanks in advance

 

[conjur]

Who is subjective.
Whom is objective.

Who did what to whom?

Actually, your example would be better as:

"...the most prominent of which..."

And, btw, in general. Not, is general.

Oh, and dilemma.

You know what? You should just impale yourself on a sharp object. Put yourself out of misery.

 

[pyonir]

I even have trouble with this one. Always have.

 

[Hanpan]

Well let us say the sentance went like this.

There were 3 people at the party, the most prominent of whom was Tom Cruise.

One might then say the most promiment was Tom cruise. This is a direct object and would call for who.

As in who was most prominent?

Yet this is phrased differently and this is my leads to my confusion.


EDIT: in my defense those two mistakes were typos. While I am not a master of the english language, I am aware it is "in general". Now my typing skills do leave something to be desired.

 

[Kojak]

I am not an expert, but following the rule you stated, then "prominent of" would be the preposition. Thus, you would use whom.

 

[conjur]

heh heh...I was just giving you grief.

BTW, read this, which would lead to the answer being "whom". "The most prominent of them being Tom Cruise."

 

[Electric Amish]

Wow...how did that get in here?? :\

Nevermind... move along.

amish

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: Electric Amish
I'm old...but not THAT old.

amish

hunh?


heh heh. A 'senior moment', Amish?

 

[Hanpan]

Originally posted by: conjur
heh heh...I was just giving you grief.

BTW, read this, which would lead to the answer being "whom". "The most prominent of them being Tom Cruise."

Alright that settles it then.

Thanks