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Happy Belated Birthday is Wrong. Here's What to say Instead

If you want to wish someone well after missing his/her birthday, you say "Belated Happy Birthday," not "Happy Belated Birthday."

Main Happy Belated Birthday Takeaways:

  • Belated happy birthday is the correct way to say this phrase.
  • Happy belated birthday is not correct because “Happy” and “Birthday” need to go together. Otherwise, belated just describes the word “birthday” instead of the entire happy birthday greeting.
  • Belated happy birthday means you are late wishing someone a happy birthday.
  • Happy belated birthday means that someone’s birthday came late, which is usually not the case.
  • Belated refers to something delayed or late, such as a belated apology.
  • Usually, you can’t use belated to describe someone with punctuality problems.
  • Add -ly to make belated an adverb.

In an ideal world, we’d never be late with our birthday greetings. After all, we now have social media to send greeting reminders for everyone, from Grandma to your cousin’s third-grade teacher. And, countless calendar apps for that.

But, sometimes, it happens. And, better late than never.

How can we share warm birthday wishes (albeit late) while honoring grammatical guidelines?

Is it Correct to Say Happy Belated Birthday?

It is not correct to say “Happy belated birthday!” or “Happy late birthday!” even though these phrases are very common. The correct way to wish someone well when you miss their special day is “Belated Happy Birthday.” What’s the difference? When you say “Happy belated birthday,” you’re saying that the birthday itself was late and not your greetings. This is not what you mean. When you say “Belated happy birthday,” you’re saying that your greetings are late, and not the birthday. Since the latter is what you really mean, this is the correct phrase.

A turtle with a cake on top of his shell looking apologetic while facing his friend bunny.
Use “belated happy birthday” if you are late with your birthday wishes.

I know what you may be thinking. Yes, many greeting cards break grammar rules.

Card aisles are filled with happy belated birthday cards and gifts. But, you as the stellar Grammar Pro you are may want to consider using this ungrammatical phrase.

Just because the phrase is socially acceptable doesn’t mean it’s correct.

The point of language is to express what we think and feel to others. For something as heartfelt as a birthday greeting, expressing yourself as clearly as possible is too important.

Let’s dig a little deeper into the definition of belated and explore some of the best late happy birthday greetings. Finally, we’ll show you some examples of how to use belated correctly in a sentence.

Is Belated Before or After?

Belated meaning:arriving or occurring later than the usual time. Therefore, belated refers to something that comes after it’s supposed to. The word “late” is a more common alternative for “belated.”. On the other hand, use “early” or “preemptive” to refer to something that comes before.

The word belated is an adjective. It describes something that happens later than expected, such as a holiday greeting or anniversary celebration. You can use belated to describe an action or event.

What is the Opposite of Belated Birthday?

If you are early with your birthday greetings, you could say “Happy early birthday!” or “Happy pre-birthday“. Another option is “Happy Preemptive Birthday!“.

A distraught boy writing belated happy birthday on a card. A gift sitting on top of his desk.
If you want to wish someone well after missing their birthday, you say “Belated Happy Birthday,” not “Happy Belated Birthday.”

How do you Wish Someone a Happy Belated Birthday?

Here a the top 10 best (and grammatically correct) ways to wish someone a belated happy birthday:

  1. How could I have forgotten your special day?! I hope you had a fantastic birthday!
  2. Even though I’m a little late to the party, I want you to know how special you are to me. Belated happy birthday!
  3. I can’t tell you how happy I am that you were born. Forgive me for being late with my birthday greetings!
  4. Happy birthday to a dear friend… just a little late 😀
  5. I’m sorry I missed your birthday, but it’s a great opportunity to celebrate all over again!
  6. You know I’m always fashionably late. Belated Birthday wishes to you!
  7. There’s nothing worse than missing your favorite person’s special day! I guess this means you just get double the cake.
  8. My apologies for missing your birthday! Please accept my sincerest birthday wishes, albeit delayed.
  9. Happiest of birthdays to you! Forgive me for being late to the party.
  10. You’re so wonderful, you deserve to keep the party going. Even though I’m a little late, happiest of birthdays to you!

How do you use Belated in a Sentence?

My ex’s belated apology came about ten years too late.
Her belated push for inclusion nearly cost her company a lawsuit.
Sometimes his boss honors belated requests for schedule changes when she’s feeling nice.
Jim’s mom was upset about his belated birthday greetings.
“Please accept my belated birthday wishes,” John said sheepishly.
I wished my sister a belated happy birthday but only after realizing today was Tuesday, not Monday.
Stephanie bought a planner so she could stop sending belated birthday greetings.

1. Using Belated to Describe an Event

Janna shares custody of her son, so she’s hosting a belated Thanksgivingfeast this year.
We hate crowded restaurants, so we’re enjoying a belated Valentine’s Day celebration on February 21st.
The Smiths scheduled a belated anniversary dinner when their babysitter was available.
The school hosted a belated awards ceremony due to inclement weather.
A turtle with a gift on top of his shell greeting his friend bunny belated happy birthday. The bunny is looking happy while saying thank you.
It’s never too late to greet someone happy birthday.

2. Using Belated to Describe a Person

We usually don’t use the word belated when describing an individual with punctuality problems.

Mybelatedcoworker, Karen, always clocks in 15 minutes after she’s scheduled.

Karen isn’t belated. She’s late.

My coworker, Karen, was tardy for work again today.

Karen can be tardy for work, but she can’t show up for work belated.

However, sometimes it makes sense to describe a person with the word belated.

For example, we can say a belated representative was appointed after the deadline. It’s also okay to tell your boss made a belated appearance at an important meeting.

This is because belated refers more to a person’s role at a scheduled event versus something that is routine.

3. Using Belated as an Adverb

Transform belated from an adjective to an adverb by adding -ly at the end of the word. You might not see or use this word often, though. After all, wishing someone a belated happy birthday is easier than the alternative.

Pro tip:Add -ly to make belated an adverb.
I’m embarrassed tobelatedly wishyou a happy birthday.

While correct, this statement is wordy and sounds overly formal. You could say, “Sorry, I missed your birthday.”

If you go the belatedly route, remember the word modifies a verb. It doesn’t modify the birthday itself.

The company owner belatedly wishes everyone a Happy New Year.
The principal belatedly announces the resumption of classes.
The mayor belatedly honors the former council member for his contributions to the city.
Happy belated birthday is incorrect. Belated happy birthday is correct. Belated means delayed or later than expected. It can't be used to describe someone with punctuality problems. A cute bunny saying thank you to his friend turtle for still greeting him happy birthday even though the latter is late.
Happy Belated Birthday Infographic

You can belatedly wish someone a happy birthday, but you can’t say, “I hope you have ahappy birthday belatedly.” So like with happy belated birthday, it just doesn’t make sense.

Whether you like it or not, a birthday comes right on schedule each year. When you say “Belated happy birthday,” you refer to your greetings being belated and not the birthday.

So, make sure to place belated in front of happy birthday, not in the middle. With the correct sentence structure, belated is sure to modify your greeting, not someone’s annual trip around the sun.

Quick Belated Happy Birthday Grammar Quiz

Question #1

Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Correct! Wrong!

The answer is C. The word belated comes first to imply that the greeting is arriving late, not the birthday.

Question #2

What part of speech is belated?
Correct! Wrong!

The answer is B. The word belated is an adjective. It describes an action or event that happens later than expected.

Question #3

We can use belated to describe an individual with punctuality issues.
Correct! Wrong!

The answer is FALSE. Rather than use belated to describe an individual with punctuality problems, we would use late or tardy.

Question #4

What part of speech is belatedly?
Correct! Wrong!

The answer is D. You can transform belated from an adjective to an adverb by adding ly to the end of the word.

Read More: Happy New Year! Or Is It Happy New Years?

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What Does PS Mean: How to use it like a pro in Your Emails

What does p.s. mean: It means postscriptum

What Does PS Mean? Main Takeaways:

  • PS is an abbreviation of the Latin term postscriptum, which translates to written after.
  • Both PS or P.S. are correct.
  • The postscript dates back to an age when letters were handwritten or typed out on a typewriter.
  • PS still appears in modern correspondence like emails, and online chats.
  • You can express multiple afterthoughts by using PPS, PPPS, and so on.

What Does PS Mean?

PS stands for postscriptum. This is Latin for written after. Post means “after” and scriptummeans “written.” Traditionally, the abbreviation PS comes after the main body and signature in a written letter. It’s reserved for an afterthought or additional information not included in the main body of the letter. Back when people wrote letters by hand or typed them on a typewriter, backspace was not an option. If you forgot to mention something in your letter, you had two options: rewrite the letter to include your thought or add is after your signature using PS.

By including a postscript at the end of written correspondence, a letter writer created a place to add missing information or afterthoughts. It served an essential role in letters.

For one, it helped minimize time-consuming do-overs. What’s more, it helped keep correspondence neat and easy to read.

PS may have ancient roots, but it’s still relevant in today’s increasingly digital world.

An ancient Roman man holds a feather quill pen and explains that P.S. is an abbreviation for the Latin term "postscriptum."
P.S. is an abbreviation for the Latin term “postscriptum.”

No doubt you’ve seen a PS in action. From informal chats to direct marketing campaigns, almost any kind of correspondence can use this small statement.

Once in a while, you might also hear people use it in verbal communication to add extra emphasis to a thought or statement.

PS is an abbreviation of the Latin termpostscriptum, which translates to written after. Commonly referred to as a postscript, it serves as an addendum to a letter

How is PS Used?

Use PS to add something you forgot to mention in the main body of any correspondence. This includes letters or emails. Place the letters PS immediately below your signature line. Next, place the line or lines of text you want to add right next to the PS. For digital correspondence like Whatsapp messages or Tweets, it’s common to add your PS using a new message. This helps show extra emphasis. You can write PS with or without periods after each letter.

Dear Charlotte,

I’m sorry we never got to have lunch before I left. My flight time was moved unexpectedly, and I had to grab a cab and go. I didn’t even have time to make a phone call. I hope you’ll forgive me.

Sincerely,

Doug

P.S.You won the bet fair and square, and I still owe you a fancy dinner!

How to Punctuate PS

Capitalizing both letters is the correct way to go. However, there’s an on-going debate among grammarians on whether to use periods or not.

The bottom line is that there isn’t a hard-and-fast rule. Additionally, proper usage may vary depending on which style guide you follow.

For instance, the Cambridge Dictionary suggests that common usage differs depending on your country of origin:

  • British English leans towardPS
  • American English tends to prefer P.S.
A boy wearing eyeglasses and is typing a letter on his laptop. He usesP.S. to add an afterthought to a letter.
You can use P.S. to add an afterthought to a letter.

Another source of debate is trailing punctuation:

  • Many believe the PS should be free from additional punctuation.
  • Others typically include a colon to separate the letters from the statement or question that follows.
PSPlease don’t eat the last piece of cake.
P.S. Please don’t eat the last piece of cake.
PS:Please don’t eat the last piece of cake.
P.S.:Please don’t eat the last piece of cake.

Going Digital: The Postscript Evolves

The coming of the digital age meant that the PS had to evolve or risk becoming obsolete.

Now, computers and word processors help us effortlessly edit and reprint documents. This all but eliminated the need for a postscript. And, made it almost as ancient as it’s Latin name.

Unlike Latin, the PS stayed alive. It evolved to become more of a stylistic choice.

The modern PS is a way to add an extra touch to correspondence, including emails. It’s outgrown being just a tool for missed information or afterthoughts.

Here are 7 of the Best ways to use PS Today:

1. Emphasize a Subject

A postscript lets you reiterate an important point that’s already been addressed in the letter. This helps create emphasis where it’s most needed.

This is partially because the PS creates a visual break from the rest of the letter. It helps highlight a single point, both visually and thematically.

P.S.I really meant what I said about wanting you to come and stay with us for a few weeks.

2. Add Charm to Correspondence

Postscripts can be used to add a smart, funny, or sweet touch to a letter. This use helps leave the reader with something to savor.

P.S.The roses wilted as soon as you left. It was like they missed you as much as I do.
A girl holding a letter. Postcript reads: "I love your haircut!" Postscript appears after the closing.
Postscript appears after the closing and signature.

3. Add Information That’s not Relevant to the Main letter

You may have a fantastic thought you want to include in your letter. But, what if it isn’t relevant to the rest of your correspondence?

In this case, using a PS is ideal.

P.S.I know this is entirely off-topic, but Molly wanted to thank you for taking care of her goldfish.

4. Be Argumentative

Have the last word in an argument with a firm PS. A postscript can let you effectively punctuate an argument with a final line or two. Make yourself as clear as possible.

P.S.Seriously, don’t even try to pull a stunt like that again!

5. Leave the Recipient With a Parting Thought

The PS is an effective tool for sharing a parting thought or takeaway. Really sell it using a PS this way.

P.S.This could all be over if you just say yes. Think about it.

6. To Express an Important Sentiment

Since it can be used to convey the deepest of sentiments, it’s no surprise that the postscript has a timeless connection to love letters. A true love letter just isn’t complete without a touching PS.

P.S.I love you more.

7. Deliver a Call to Action

In direct mail campaigns, the PS is often used as a marketing strategy. Use it to promote special offers, share testimonials, or deliver a call to action.

In a world where people often skim large chunks of content, many will stop to read the PS. The fact that it is separate from the rest of the letter creates a clean and visible break. This helps highlight the information.

P.S.For one day only, we’re offering 20% off your first order.
A stylized drawing of blue hand holding a feather quill pen next to the text "What does PS Mean"
P.S. is the abbreviation for the Latin term “postscriptum,” which translates to written after.

What Does PS Mean in Chat?

The PS also makes regular appearances in social media chats (otherwise known as instant messaging). These fast-moving, real-time conversations can lead participants to forget to share information. The PS gives them a way to add it back in.

Just as the postscript represents an afterthought in traditional letter writing, it plays a similar role in this more modern form of communication.

It lets chatters throw out an idea or information after the main conversation has moved on.

This isn’t a thing for older people, either. PS is popping up in Gen Z threads on Twitter, Snapchat, and WhatsApp.

Joana: See you at the party on Friday?

Rechelle: Definitely.

Joana: Nice! Starts around 8.

Rechelle: I’ll swing by then.

Joana:P.S.Don’t forget to bring an appetizer. It’s a potluck!

When a Postscript Isn’t Enough

Let’s face it. Sometimes a single afterthought just isn’t enough. In fact, sometimes one afterthought leads to another, which leads to another, which leads to… a compound PS.

Thankfully, you aren’t limited to a single postscript. Here’s how to share multiple afterthoughts in your correspondence:

  • Place the letters PPS (aka post-post-scriptum) or PSS (aka post-super-scriptum) on the line below your initial PS to add a thought or information
  • Place the letters PPPS(post-post-post-scriptum) below the PPS or PSS to add another line for afterthoughts.
  • Continue adding PS to the front of the abbreviation as many times as necessary to express your thoughts.
P.S.Postscripts are so much fun!
P.P.S.I’m going to write another one just because I can.
P.P.P.S.Here’s a third!
P.P.P.P.S.Should I keep going?

A PS to our PS

Many letter writers believe that the postscript is quaint and should be obsolete. Maybe it should fade away alongside handwritten letters, typewriters, and Latin.

Others consider it as much a part of correspondence as a greeting, closing, or signature.

Regardless of popular opinion, the PS can still be found everywhere, from chat boxes and marketing emails to epistolary novels.

The point of language is to communicate how we feel and the ideas we have. If the postscript is a tool that helps you do that, go for it. Conversely, if it seems too stuffy for your personal style, no worries.

By knowing how and when to use this traditional correspondence add-on, you add yet another literary tool to your content creation repertoire. Bring charm, emphasis, and personality to any type of correspondence.

PS: Try This Quick Postscript Quiz

What Does PS Mean Question #1

“P.S.” is an abbreviation of the Latin term “postscriptum.”
Correct! Wrong!

The answer is TRUE. “P.S." translates to written after, and it expresses an afterthought in written correspondence.

PS Meaning Question #2

Select the correct way to punctuate “P.S.” in a sentence.
Correct! Wrong!

The answer is D. American English tends to use “P.S.,” while British English favors “PS.”

Postscript Question #3

Which of these is NOT a function of “P.S.” in an email?
Correct! Wrong!

The answer is B. Since “P.S.” appears after an email's closing, it's not ideal for greeting the recipient.

PS Question #4

Which of the following is acceptable for adding an afterthought to your correspondence?
Correct! Wrong!

The answer is D. You aren’t limited to a single postscript.

Read More: To Whom It May Concern: What It Means And When To Use It

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When Should you put a Comma Before Which?

Always use a comma before which when "which" precedes a nonrestrictive or non-essential clause.

Main Takeaways:

  • Place a comma beforewhich when which precedes a nonrestrictive clause.
  • A nonrestrictive clause is a phrase that adds non-essential information to a sentence without changing the overall meaning.
  • Don’t place a commabeforewhich when which is part of a prepositional phrase.
  • Don’t use a commabefore which when it’s used to pose an indirect question.
  • We use which with nonrestrictive clauses, while we use that with restrictive clauses.
  • When used with a restrictive clause, you don’t need to put a commabeforethat.
  • Restrictive clauses function as identifiers. Removing a restrictive clause from a sentence changes the sentence’s meaning.

Whether to use a comma before or afterwhich in a sentence is a dilemma that many people face when writing. This grammar guide will teach you when you should and shouldn’t place a comma before which.

When it comes to grammatical conundrums, commas are often the culprit. Thankfully, learning when to use a comma before and afterwhich is actually pretty easy when you follow several simple rules.

When Should You Use a Comma Before Which?

Simply put, you should use a comma beforewhich when it precedes a nonrestrictive modifying clause. A nonrestrictive modifying clause is a phrase that adds nonessential information to a sentence without altering its meaning. It’s normally set off from the rest of a sentence with commas.
Thecomma, whichcan be difficult to use correctly, is Michelle’s least favorite punctuation mark.

In this example, the phrase “which can be difficult to use correctly” is the nonrestrictive modifying clause. It modifies the noun comma, letting us know that commas can be challenging. Without it, however, the primary meaning of the sentence would remain intact.

The comma is Michelle’s least favorite punctuation mark.

In the example above, the sentence is correctly punctuated with a comma beforewhich. Another comma, placed after “correctly,” sets the phrase completely apart from the rest of the sentence. This is typical of nonrestrictive clauses.

Note: Nonrestrictive modifying clauses are also known as nonessential clauses or parenthetical expressions.
Comma before which
Always use a comma before which when “which” precedes a nonrestrictive or non-essential clause.

Should Which Always Be Preceded By a Comma?

The quick answer to this question is no. A comma should always precede which when it introduces a nonrestrictive clause. Otherwise, don’t place a comma prior to which.

There are several other ways that which can be used in a sentence. None of the following ways require a comma before which.

1. When Which Is Used in Prepositional Phrases.

Sometimes which forms part of a prepositional phrase. A prepositional phrase includes a preposition and a noun or pronoun that serves as the object of the preposition. It may also include adjectives that modify the object.

When which appears in prepositional phrases, it’s typically paired with a preposition.

  • in which
  • on which
  • during which
  • after which
  • from which

When used this way, you don’t need a comma before the which.

The platform on which she stood was dangerously high.
The stormduring whichwe lost power was over quickly.
Every evening she had a nightmare in which she was running from a killer clown.
The spaceship from which it came was sleek and gray.
A boy and girl labeled as which and prepositional phrase respectively are staring at each other happily while a heartbroken comma is looking at them. Don't put a comma before which if it's part of a prepositional phrase.
Don’t put a comma before which if it’s part of a prepositional phrase.

2. When Which Forms a Question

Since sentences never begin with commas, it should go without saying that you don’t need one before which when it starts a sentence.

Which commadid you use in your list—the serial comma or the Oxford comma? Oh, wait—they’re the same thing!

After all, it would look pretty strange if it was written as:

,Whichcommadid you use in your list—the serial comma or the Oxford comma?

There is, however, another potential scenario when which forms a question. That’s the indirect question. In this scenario, a question is implied rather than asked outright. There is no question mark at the end of the sentence in indirect questions (unless they’re embedded in another question).

Direct Question:Which items are on sale?
Indirect Question:I asked the clerk which items were on sale.

Essentially, both examples are asking about what items are on sale. One asks directly, while the other poses the question indirectly.

Comma After Which

Some grammarians believe that a comma can be used after which for reasons of style.

He wrote to the president of the company, which, I might add, was a complete waste of time.

You’ll notice here that by adding a comma after the which, you end up with commas before and after it. This can lead to a choppy sentence. In this case, rephrasing may be the better option.

(rephrased)He wrote to the president of the company. It was a complete waste of time.

That vs. Which: Picking the Right Word

When learning how to punctuate a sentence using the word which, it’s important to understand when which isn’t the right word at all.

One Rule to Guide Them All

It’s easy to get tangled up choosing between that and which, but there’s a simple rule for picking the right word. That is used with restrictive clauses. Which is used with nonrestrictive clauses.

Restrictive Clauses

To simplify, restrictive clauses provide essential descriptive information about the noun they modify. They function as identifiers, essentially narrowing things down. They can’t be removed from a sentence without altering the meaning.
Dogs that are well-trained make better pets.

The restrictive clause in this sentence, “that are well-trained,” modifies the noun—in this case, dogs. This clause narrows it down to a specific category of dogs: well-trained dogs. You can’t remove the clause without altering the sentence’s essential meaning. That makes it a restrictive clause.

When used this way, there’s no need to place a comma before that.

Nonrestrictive Clauses

As discussed earlier, nonrestrictive clauses add non-essential information to a sentence. Unlike a restrictive clause, a nonrestrictive clause doesn’t alter the main meaning of the sentence.
Amy’s dog, which she got from a rescue, was a purebred husky.

The nonrestrictive clause, “which Amy got from a rescue,” adds interesting information and context to the noun, dog. However, you can remove the clause from the sentence without changing the meaning.

No Comma Drama

Punctuating sentences can be challenging, and even experienced writers and grammarians often struggle with proper placement of commas. Remembering simple rules of usage can take the drama out of comma placement, letting the meaning of your sentences come through loud and clear.

Quick Comma Before Which Grammar Quiz

Comma Before Which Question #1

Which statement is incorrect
Correct! Wrong!

The answer is B. You should use a comma before “which” when it precedes a nonrestrictive clause.

Comma Which Question #2

Which sentence is grammatically correct
Correct! Wrong!

The answer is A. "That" is used with restrictive clauses, while "which" is used with nonrestrictive clauses.

Comma Before Which Question #3

Which statement is true?
Correct! Wrong!

The answer is A. Restrictive clauses can't be removed from a sentence without altering the meaning.

Comma Before Which Question
Correct! Wrong!

The answer is FALSE. When "which" appears in prepositional phrases, you don't need a comma before the "which."

Comma Before Which
Expert!
Not Bad!
Almost got it! Review the article and try again

Read More: How To Use Commas In Your Writing

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Whoever vs. Whomever: How to Always Pick the Right one

Whoever vs. whomever: Whoever is a subject pronoun. Meanwhile, whomever is an object pronoun.

Main Whoever vs. Whomever Takeaways:

  • Whoever is a subject pronoun. This means that it can replace pronouns like I, we, she, he, and they that are often the subject of a sentence.
  • Whomever is an object pronoun. This means that it can replace pronouns like me, us, her, him, and them that are often the object of a sentence’s preposition or verb.
  • Here’s a quick trick to remember the difference: If you’re referring to the pronoun him/her, you should use whomever. However, if he/she works better in the sentence, you should opt for whoever.
  • You can begin a sentence using whomever if the object pronoun naturally falls at the beginning of the sentence.
  • Whomsoever is a more formal word for whomever.
  • Whosoever is a more formal word for whoever.
  • Some modern grammarians believe whom is a dying pronoun, joining words like thee, thy, and thine.
Whomever made this salad is a culinary genius!
Whoever made this salad is a culinary genius!
Please make sure to give these supplies to whoever needs them most.
Please make sure to give these supplies to whomever needs them most.

If you find yourself changing sentences around to avoid using these words, you aren’t alone. But there is another way. Knowing whether to use whoever or whomever can be easy once you know what makes them unique. This article will answer all of your whoever vs. whomever questions and give you a few simple tricks to remember the difference between these pronouns. And, we’ll show you how to use each with easy examples.

Whoever vs. whomever
Whoever is a subject pronoun. Meanwhile, whomever is an object pronoun.

Many people believe that whomever is nothing more than a more formal version of whoever. But the truth is, they’re unique words with unique functions. So, what’s a writer to do if they’re deciding between whomever or whoever?

Which is Correct: Whoever or Whomever?

Here is the easiest way know if you should use whoever or whomever: associate the ‘m’ in whomever with the ‘m’ in him. Replace the word with him. Does the sentence still make sense? If so, then whomever is the correct pronoun. If not, then you should use whoever instead. This trick works because whoever is a subject pronoun like he/she/they. Conversely, whomever is an object pronoun like him/her/them.

Similarly, you can use the same trick to remember the difference between who and whom. This is because these pronouns are the roots of whoever and whomever.

Whoever and whomever are interrogative pronouns. Although they both relate to people, they aren’t interchangeable. Instead, they serve different functions in sentences.
Sheshoveled snow off the sidewalk.
Whoshoveled snow off the sidewalk out front?
Whoevershoveled snow off the sidewalk did a great job.
The letter was addressed tohim.
Towhomwas the letter addressed?
The letter should go towhomeverit was addressed.
Pro Tip: When choosing whomever or whoever, pay attention to the clause that includes the word, rather than the entire sentence.
A young man with a name-tagged as interrogative pronouns. He's holding two placards. The one on his left hand reads whoever and the one on the right says whomever.
Whoever and whomever are interrogative pronouns.

What is the Him Trick?

The Him Trick is the quickest and easiest way to remember the difference between whoever and whoever. Just link the ‘m’ in whomever to the ‘m’ in him. Replace the entire dependent clause beginning with whoever/whomever with him (The smoothie goes to whomever ordered it = the smoothie goes to him). Does the sentence still make sense? Is it still grammatically correct? If yes, then you know that whomever is the correct word to use. If no, then whoever is most likely the word you want. You can also use other object pronouns like her/them.

The reason this trick works is because whomever is an object pronoun like him/her/them. Conversely, whoever is a subject pronoun like he/her/they.

The money should go towhoever/whomeverneeds it most.
The money should go tohim/he.

Here’s how the sentences look like following the Him Trick:

The money should go tohim.
The money should go towhomeverneeds it most.
Whoever/Whomeveris in charge of the third shift should report in at noon.
He/himshould report in at noon.
He should report in at noon.
Whoever is in charge of the third shift should report in at noon.

Can you Start a Sentence With Whomever?

You can start a sentence with whomever, but it rarely happens. Use whomever at the beginning of a sentence when the object pronoun—the recipient of the action—falls at the beginning of a sentence. In this case, it’s grammatically correct to start a sentence with whomever. An example of one of these rare cases is: Whomeveryou choose for the role, it’s fine with me.

Whoever the committee nominates to run the fundraiser, we will support the decision.
Whomever the committee nominates to run the fundraiser, we will support the decision

When Should you use Whomever in a Sentence?

You should use whomever in a sentence whenever you can rewrite the sentence using him. For example, the sentence “Please send the file to whomever requested it” becomes “Please five the file to him.” This is because whomever is an object pronoun, meaning that it refers to the verb or preposition of a sentence and not the subject. In this example, the subject is the file while the object is the person who requested the file. Since the verb send and the preposition to refer to the person that made the request, whomever is the correct object pronoun to use. As you can see, you should use an object pronoun to replace the entire dependent clause beginning with whomever.

A manager sitting behind his desk while telling his supervisor: "I'll hire whomever you suggest."
Whomever is an object pronoun like him/her/them. Meaning, it refers to the object of the sentence.

Examples of Whomever in a Sentence

Here are examples of how to use whomever in a sentence:

I will give a name tag towhomeverneeds one.
Mrs. Garner would like to speak to whomever is in charge.
Please deliver the package to whomever it’s addressed.
I’d love to hug whomever made this cake!
The police plan to arrest whomever defaced this wall.

Whom/Whomever Recap:

  • Whomserves as an object pronoun because it receives the action.
  • As such, whom takes the place of other object pronouns like me, us, her, him, and them.
  • Since it’s also an object pronoun, the same is true for whomever.

Examples of Whoever in a Sentence

Here are examples of how to use whoever in a sentence:

Whoever helps you with the research should have an advanced understanding of physics.
Whoever the thief was, he was not from this area.

Who/Whoever Recap:

[example]Whoever you are, do not call my office again![/example]
  • Who functions as a subject pronoun because it refers to the person executing the action of the sentence.
  • As such, who takes the place of other subject pronouns like I, we, she, he, and they.
  • Since it’s also a subject pronoun, the same holds true for whoever.

Is it to Whoever or to Whomever?

The correct phrase is towhomever, not to whomever. Like whom, whomever is an object pronoun. This means that it can replace the object of the verb or preposition in a sentence. Since the word comes after the preposition to in this phrase, whomever is the correct object pronoun to use. Confirm this by replacing the word with a different object pronoun like him/her/them. If the sentence is still grammatically correct and makes sense, then whomever is correct. If not, then you should probably use whoever.

Two boys talking to each other. The boy on the left is labeled whomever and is holding a placard that reads "I'm an object pronoun." The boy on the right is labeled whoever and is holding a placard that reads "I'm a subject pronoun."
You can’t use whomever and whoever interchangeably because they have different functions. Whomever is an object pronoun. Meanwhile, whoever is a subject pronoun.

Is it Whoever or Whomever It May Concern?

The correct valediction is To Whom It May Concern. The reason we use whom instead of whomever orwhoever here is because the word it is actually the subject of the sentence. The person concerned is actually the object. Since whom and whomever are object pronouns, whom is the correct word here. Another is clue that whom is correct is that it follows a preposition. Because prepositions are direction words, the to gives you a hint that whom is an object of something else. Therefore, you need to use an object pronoun.

What is the Difference Between Whoever and Whosoever?

The only difference between whoever and whosoever is whosoever is more formal than whoever. Feel free to use them interchangeably. However, whosoever isn’t so common anymore, but you may see it formal writing or hear it in a formal speech.

Whosoever vs. Whomsoever

  • Whosoever = Whoever
  • Whomsoever = Whomever
Whoeveris in charge of this birthday party should get those kids under control.
Whosoeveris in charge of this gala should make sure to attend to the dignitaries.

What is the Meaning of Whomsoever?

The meaning of whomsoever is the same as the meaning of whomever. They are interchangeable. The only difference between these two words is that whomsoever is a more formal way to say whomever. Today, whomsoever is rarely used and may seem antiquated or stuffy. However, it is grammatically correct to use as an object pronoun in very formal speech and writing.

Today, Congress declared that they will pass a bill to grant aid to whomsoever needs it.
Today, Congress declared that they will pass a bill to grant aid to whomever needs it.

How do I Spell Thee? Let me Count the Ways!

Common misspellings of whoever and whomever include:

  • who ever
  • whom ever
  • who so ever
  • whom so ever

It’s important to note that these are all incorrect. Since whomever and whoever are compound words, all four of the above examples should be written without spaces.

Quick Grammar Quiz to Test Your Knowledge of Whoever vs. Whomever

Whoever vs. Whomever Question #1

“Whoever” and “whomever” are both possessive pronouns.
Correct! Wrong!

The answer is FALSE. “Whoever” and “whomever” are interrogative pronouns. They both function as words used to ask questions.

Whomever or Whoever Question #2

which sentence is correct
Correct! Wrong!

The answer is A. If you can rephrase a sentence and answer the question with “he,” then use “whoever”. Who needs it? He needs it. So “whoever” is correct here.

Who or Whom Question #3

Which sentence is correct?
Correct! Wrong!

The answer is B. As the object pronoun, “whom” functions as the recipient of the action.

Whom vs. Who Question #4

Which sentence is correct?
Correct! Wrong!

The answer is A. As the object pronoun, “whom” functions as the recipient of the action, “choose.”

Whomever Question #5

You can use "whomever" in place of which of the following pronouns?
Correct! Wrong!

The answer is C. It's easy to remember “him” because “m” is present in both “whomever” and “him”. It is also correct to use “her” in place of “whomever.”

Whomever or Whomsoever Question #6

“Whomever” and “whomsoever” are interchangeable in a sentence.
Correct! Wrong!

The answer is TRUE. “Whomsoever” is just a more formal version of “whomever.”

Read More: While Vs. Whilst: Is There A Difference?