Question about modifiers

[alexisvargas85]

I would like a clearer explanation and example about a point that is described n the GMAT sentence correction guide, on page 87. It says "Who is used as the subject of the verb ina relative clause, whereas whom is used as the object of the verb or of a preposition"
ex: The security guard WHO we met was nice (WRONG)
The security guard WHOM we met was nice (right)
Why the first one is wrong?

[jlucero]

I would like a clearer explanation and example about a point that is described n the GMAT sentence correction guide, on page 87. It says "Who is used as the subject of the verb ina relative clause, whereas whom is used as the object of the verb or of a preposition"
ex: The security guard WHO we met was nice (WRONG)
The security guard WHOM we met was nice (right)
Why the first one is wrong?

Here's the simple sentence:
X was nice.

X here represents the clause "The security guard whom we met". This clause is an inverted one, which could be rephrased as "We met the security guard". Since security guard here is the object of a clause, we need to use an object pronoun "whom".

Side note, the easiest way for ME to remember this is to match up he=who, him=whom. Him and whom both have one more letter than their subject counterparts.

Since you would say "We met HIM." or "We met WHOM?", we need to use the pronoun whom in the original sentence.

So, two takeaways: (1) find the simple and subordinate clause and (2) reorganize to see if the noun is a subject/object.

[AnkurS333]

JLucero - Thank You for Your response.

Would "The security guard we met was nice." be correct?

Thank You.

[RonPurewal]

JLucero - Thank You for Your response.

Would "The security guard we met was nice." be correct?

Thank You.

That sentence is fine.

The inclusion/omission of this "whom" (or "that", for things that aren't people) is an issue of style. Since it's not an issue of either mechanics or meaning, it won't be tested on this exam.