Multiple choice

He was asked to nominate a director to whomever he thought had contributed most to the organization.

Directions for the question:
The following sentence tests correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of the sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice (A) repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice (A). If not, select one of the other choices.
In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is, pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence – clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.

Example:

If it were a British ship the resistance to the duty would be offered by the land merchants rather than by the sea traders; for the merchants did not desire that the cost of the merchandise to themselves and their customers should be doubled without some equivalent advantage.
(A)  If it were a British ship the resistance to the duty would be offered by the land merchants
(B)  If it had a British ship the resistance to the duty would be offered by the land merchants
(C)  If it were a British ship the resistance to the duty would have been offered by the land merchants
(D)  If it had been a British ship the resistance to the duty would have been offered by the land merchants
(E) If it would have been a British ship the resistance to the duty would be offered by the land merchants

Answer:  (D)

  1. to whomever he thought had contributed most to the organization.

  2. to whom so ever he thought had contributed most to the organization.

  3. to whoever he thought was contributed most to the organization.

  4. to whoever he thought had contributed most to the organization.

  5. to whom he thought had contributed the most to the organization.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Corrects the error of relative pronoun.