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curmdgeon.GIF (1254 bytes) Curmudgeons' Corner

Guest Curmudgeon David Gowrie complains...

Here's my contribution. File this as yet another example of colloquial laziness...

Who's ever being used in place of whoever. You hear it all the time.  For example: "Who's ever experiencing printing problems, please call the PC support department." 

Another gripe: Whoever being used in a possessive relation. Example: "Whoever's car is parked out front, your light are on."

Combine the two and I really start to fidget. Example: "Who's ever car is parked out front, your lights are on."

Heehee, yes, those are good 'uns.  We can see what's happening: who's ever is equivalent to whoever is, and it may be somewhat confused with whosoeverWhoever's, however, is actually not so bad.  Whoever is a pronoun with the meaning "whatever person or persons", and it is certainly correct to say "Whatever person's car that is parked out front has its lights on."  The sample construction you provide is indeed awkward.  It would be better to say, "Whoever parked his car out front has left his (or her) lights on."

Is there something you read or hear that sends you up the wall?

Do tell us.  

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