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grammar question

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Posted: 10/21/05 - 16:29
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RealPoor Master of Posts
sinrakin
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 6094
 
I've never been able to find a definitive answer to this question, even online. Probably because I don't know how to express it properly.

When do you use "me", and when do you use "I"? I know if it's the subject it's "I", and if it's and object of a preposition, it's "me". So you say "I did that", or "give it to me". But when you answer the phone, supposedly you say "this is I", not "this is me". If you pointed yourself out in a class picture or something, would you say "that's me" or "that is I" (which sounds stupid)? Do you say "betweeen you and me", or "between you and I"? Or "between her and me", or "between she and I"? Between is a preposition, so is "me" the object of a preposition? Or is "you and I" or "she and I" a proper noun phrase which is the object of the preposition?

What's the rule? Is there something special about being an object of the verb "to be", as in "it is I", as opposed to other verbs? You'd say "the dog bit me" (object of the verb to bite), but you say "it is I" object of the verb "to be".


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Posted: 10/21/05 - 16:33
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khrath

 
me don't know


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Posted: 10/21/05 - 16:34
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RealPoor Master of Posts
Fattguyy
Joined: 09 Sep 2003
Posts: 6047
 
khrath wrote:
me doesn't no


YOU'RE*


On a serious note, I have no idea.


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Posted: 10/21/05 - 16:59
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RealPoor Jedi
Silvermouse
Joined: 12 Oct 2002
Posts: 10657
 
sinrakin wrote:
I've never been able to find a definitive answer to this question, even online. Probably because I don't know how to express it properly.

When do you use "me", and when do you use "I"? I know if it's the subject it's "I", and if it's and object of a preposition, it's "me". So you say "I did that", or "give it to me". But when you answer the phone, supposedly you say "this is I", not "this is me". If you pointed yourself out in a class picture or something, would you say "that's me" or "that is I" (which sounds stupid)? Do you say "betweeen you and me", or "between you and I"? Or "between her and me", or "between she and I"? Between is a preposition, so is "me" the object of a preposition? Or is "you and I" or "she and I" a proper noun phrase which is the object of the preposition?

What's the rule? Is there something special about being an object of the verb "to be", as in "it is I", as opposed to other verbs? You'd say "the dog bit me" (object of the verb to bite), but you say "it is I" object of the verb "to be".


Phone
Them: "Hello! May I please speak to Sinrakin?"
You: "This is he."

Class Picture
"There I am!" or "That's me!" is fine.

Other one
"That's between Michelle and I" or "That's between she and I".

However, language is constantly changing. I hear "That's between her and me" way more often than "she and I". Eventually, the former will become the accepted and the latter will be left behind, so don't stress yourself too much in everyday conversation.

In the end, nobody you know will really care, just businesses and schools.


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Posted: 10/21/05 - 17:52
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Toomuchtimeonhands
Soriak
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 952
 
"It is I" is right. (who "is"? I am - therefore "I". Not: who "is"? me is)

"You haven't seen nothing yet" - wrong. Either: You have seen nothing yet, or you haven't seen anything yet. Surprising how many people make that mistake... (not part of your list, but very annoying :p)

Class picture:

There I am (again: Who "is"? I am) - or: That is me: ("Who is that?" me)

"That's between Michelle and me" -> That's between whom? Her and me. "Michelle and I" aren't doing anything, so they can't be the subject. (The subject in that sentence is actually "That." Who or what is? That)

On ther other hand it is: "Michelle and I went to the park" - not "Michelle and me"


Quote:

What's the rule? Is there something special about being an object of the verb "to be", as in "it is I", as opposed to other verbs? You'd say "the dog bit me" (object of the verb to bite), but you say "it is I" object of the verb "to be".


In "it is I" "I" is the subject. No idea if "I, it is" would also be right - sounds like old english though.
And in the latter example, the dog is the subject - he's the one doing the biting. "He bit me" and passive you become the subject: "I was bitten by him"


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Posted: 10/21/05 - 18:47
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RealPoor Master of Posts
Aluaeia
Joined: 06 Jun 2003
Posts: 5676
 
Grammar faggots.


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Posted: 10/21/05 - 18:48
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RealPoor Master of Posts
Fattguyy
Joined: 09 Sep 2003
Posts: 6047
 
Aluaeia wrote:
Grammar faggots.


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Posted: 10/21/05 - 18:49
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RealPoor Guru
Ishmael
Joined: 03 Jun 2005
Posts: 4482
 
Fattguyy wrote:
Aluaeia wrote:
Grammar faggots.


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Posted: 10/21/05 - 18:54
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atarom

 
yeah glrammar lovin f**s HAHAHAHAHA


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Posted: 10/21/05 - 18:59
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RealPoor Guru
principessa
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 3112
 
That depends on where you and your friend are in the sentence. In colloquial speech 'me' is often used where standard grammar requires 'I', especially when someone else is mentioned too. Sometimes people use 'I' instead of 'me', because they know 'me' is sometimes wrong, but have not understood the principle. (Others resort to 'myself', which can sound rather pompous.)

I am the subject of the sentence, but the object of the sentence is me.

If in doubt, take your friend out of the sentence.

Me and my friend went to a party last night. [Wrong]
I and my friend went to a party last night.

My friend and me went to a party last night. [Wrong]
My friend and I went to a party last night.

The mayor has invited me and my husband.
The mayor has invited I and my husband. [Wrong]

The mayor has invited my husband and me.
The mayor has invited my husband and I. [Wrong]

Incidentally, saying 'my friend and I' instead of 'I and my friend' is not better grammar, it's just being polite.


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