Nominal Relative Clauses: Whoever, Whomever, and What: correct answers
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A nominal relative clause (also known as a fused relative clause) does the work of a noun phrase by combining both the antecedent and the relative pronoun into a single word. For example, in the sentence "I will hire whoever is most qualified," the entire clause acts as the direct object of the verb hire, while whoever serves as the subject of the clause itself. Similarly, in "What you need is a vacation," the nominal relative clause functions as the subject of the main sentence.
This advanced challenge tests your ability to navigate tricky pronoun cases and verb agreements within these unique clauses. You will practice choosing between whoever and whomever based on their grammatical role inside the dependent clause, a classic trap for English learners! You will also distinguish what from that or which, correctly match singular or plural verbs to nominal relative subjects, and identify fused relative clauses in complex sentences.
You'll encounter these grammar puzzles across eccentric billionaires' last wills, dramatic courtroom reveals, and sci-fi alien encounters. Work your way through 9 questions in single-choice, multi-choice, drop-down, and drag-and-drop formats.
Try the quiz to check your knowledge!
Correct answers
Question 1
The correct answers are I leave my haunted mansion to whoever can spend a full night inside it. and I leave my vintage sports car to whomever my cat chooses to sit on.
In formal English, the choice between whoever and whomever depends entirely on its grammatical function inside the nominal relative clause, regardless of the clause's role in the main sentence.
In the first correct sentence, whoever is the subject of the verb phrase "can spend." Even though the whole clause is the object of the preposition "to," the subject pronoun is required.
In the second correct sentence, whomever is the object of the preposition "on" ("my cat chooses to sit on [whomever]").
Question 2
The correct answers are what, whoever, and however.
what: This nominal relative pronoun means "that which" or "the thing that." It functions perfectly as the object of the preposition "for." "Which" and "that" cannot stand alone here without a noun before them.
whoever: This is a classic C2-level trap! Although it comes immediately after the preposition "to," the object of the preposition is the entire clause. Inside that clause, the pronoun is the subject of the verb "shows," so it must be in the subjective case ("whoever," not "whomever").
however: Here, "however" functions as a nominal relative adverb meaning "in whatever way" or "by whatever means."
Question 3
Help the head judge complete the rules of the magical baking tournament by selecting the correct pronoun.
The Golden Spatula will be awarded to ___ can bake a pie that genuinely sings a lullaby.
The correct answer is whoever.
Although the pronoun follows the preposition "to," the entire nominal relative clause ("whoever can bake...") functions as the object of that preposition. Within its own clause, whoever is the subject of the verb phrase "can bake." Using whomever here is a common trap!
Question 4
The correct answers are What the elusive thief left behind was a single red rose. and The inspector will aggressively pursue whoever tampered with the evidence.
A nominal relative clause functions as a noun phrase (acting as a subject, object, etc.) and contains its own antecedent within the relative pronoun. "What" means "the thing that," and "whoever" means "the person who."
Incorrect options:
- "The single red rose that the thief left behind..." contains a standard relative clause modifying the head noun "rose."
- "The inspector asked what the elusive thief had left behind" contains an interrogative noun clause (an embedded question), not a nominal relative clause.
Question 5
The correct answers are whoever, is, and what.
whoever: In a nominal relative clause, the pronoun takes the case required by its role inside its own clause. Here, it is the subject of the verb "manages," so we need the subjective case "whoever." ("Anyone" is incorrect because it would require a relative pronoun, like "anyone who manages").
is: When a nominal relative clause ("whoever manages to survive...") acts as the subject of a sentence, it generally takes a singular verb.
what: This acts as a nominal relative pronoun meaning "the thing(s) that." Both "which" and "that" are standard relative pronouns and would incorrectly require a preceding noun (antecedent) to attach to.
Question 6
Complete the starship captain's final log entry about a bizarre alien encounter by choosing the correct word for each blank.
The crew eventually realized that what baffled them most was how the creatures effortlessly manipulated whatever matter they happened to touch.
The crew eventually realized that what baffled them most was how the creatures effortlessly manipulated whatever matter they happened to touch.
what is a nominal relative pronoun meaning "the thing that." It acts as the subject of the verb "baffled." Using "that" would create an incomplete noun clause lacking a subject, and "which" requires a preceding noun (antecedent).
how acts as a nominal relative word meaning "the way in which." The entire clause functions as the subject complement after the verb "was."
whatever acts as a determinative in this nominal relative clause, meaning "any matter that." "Whichever" would imply a specific, limited selection of matter, whereas "whatever" correctly implies an open, limitless possibility.
Question 7
The correct answers are What were once considered bizarre science fiction tropes have now become everyday realities. and What was once considered a bizarre science fiction trope has now become an everyday reality.
When a nominal relative clause starting with "what" acts as the subject of a sentence, the verb agreement depends on the meaning of "what." If "what" refers to a plural concept (the things that), the verbs inside and outside the clause should be plural. If it refers to a singular concept (the thing that), the verbs should be singular. Mixing singular and plural verbs across the clause and main sentence creates grammatical disagreement.
Question 8
Choose the correct word to complete the detective's dramatic courtroom revelation.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, ___ the defendant hid inside that oversized tuba is exactly the missing diamond we've been searching for!"
The correct answer is what.
Here, what functions as a nominal relative pronoun (meaning "the thing that"). It acts simultaneously as the object of "hid" and as the head of the noun clause that serves as the subject of the main sentence. Using that would create a declarative fact ("The fact that he hid... is the diamond"), which makes no logical sense in this context!
Question 9
Complete the eccentric billionaire's rather unusual last will and testament by choosing the appropriate word.
My entire fortune of vintage yo-yos shall go to ___ of my nephews manages to walk the dog for a full minute.
The correct answer is whichever.
We use whichever as a nominal relative pronoun when referring to a restricted, specific choice from a defined group (in this case, "of my nephews"). Whoever is used for open, unlimited groups and does not naturally pair with an "of" phrase in this manner.