From: Liz Fried (friedl@acfcluster.nyu.edu)
Date: Thu Dec 14 1995 - 10:42:33 EST
It is the accusative. The subject of an infinitival phrase is in
the accusative case. always.
liz
On Thu, 14 Dec 1995, Mike Adams wrote:
> You wrote:
> >
> >I beg the indulgence of list members for a question of English grammar.
> >Which is correct (grammatically):
> >
> >A: The Son of Man is the Messiah whom Jesus claims to be.
> > ^^^^
> >B: The Son of Man is the Messiah who Jesus claims to be.
> > ^^^
> >Analogously:
> >
> >A: Jesus claims to be him.
> > ^^^
> >B; Jesus claims to be he.
> > ^^
> >
> >We would say:
> > He thought himself to be the Messiah (objective case).
> > ^^^^^^^
> >...but this is different, is it not, because there is no direct
> >object in my examples. I'm sure I could have figured this out
> >when I was in seventh grade, but now I find myself at a loss.
> >If pressed: I vote for the nominative.
> >
> >I suppose an off-list reply would be more appropriate.
> >-----------------------------------------------------------------
> >James D. Ernest Joint Doctoral Program
> >Manchester, New Hampshire, USA Andover-Newton/Boston College
> >Internet: ernest@mv.mv.com Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
> >
> >
> >
> Concerning who vs. whom, I agree with you and Carl. It is the nominative.
> The -to be- can be a bit deceptive, appearing to be a prepositional
> phrase which would take the objective, but rather being an infinitive
> verb phrase with a linking verb that takes the predicate nominative.
>
> In Hebrews 5:5 we see a linking verb as an infinitive taking the
> nominative case:
>
> ouc heaton edoxasen genhqhnai arcierea....
>
> Also -himself- is not objective, but rather a reflexive pronoun.
>
> I hope this explanation is sufficient for you and I.
>
> Ellen
>
>
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