Which word in the following sentence is grammatically incorrect? Dr. Jones, whom all the patients like, plays the piano well.

Rationale

Whom is the grammatically incorrect word in the sentence.

In standard English grammar, "whom" is used as the object of a verb or preposition, while "who" serves as the subject. In this sentence, "who" should replace "whom" to correctly refer to the subject of the clause "all the patients like."

A (Whom) CORRECT

The word "whom" is incorrectly used here because it is intended as the object of the verb "like." Since "all the patients" is the subject of the clause, "who" should be used instead of "whom" to maintain grammatical correctness.

B (Well) YOUR ANSWER

The adverb "well" correctly describes how Dr. Jones plays the piano. It appropriately modifies the verb "plays," indicating the manner of the action, and is grammatically correct in this context.

C (Plays) YOUR ANSWER

The verb "plays" is used correctly here as it matches the subject "Dr. Jones" in number and tense. There are no grammatical errors in its usage within the sentence.

D (Like) YOUR ANSWER

The verb "like" is correctly used to describe the action performed by "all the patients." It is in the present tense and agrees with the plural subject, making it grammatically sound.

Conclusion

In the sentence provided, "whom" is the only word that is grammatically incorrect, as it fails to serve its intended role in the clause where "who" would be appropriate. The other words—"well," "plays," and "like"—are properly used and adhere to grammatical rules. Recognizing these distinctions helps in mastering the subtleties of English grammar.

Which word in the following sentence is grammatically incorrect? Dr. Jones, whom all the patients like, plays the piano well.

Whom is the grammatically incorrect word in the sentence.

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