Important
Starting from November 2, RealPoor members can trade their accounts and items much safer through improved Elite Trading. The chance of being scammed on Realpoor is now reduced by 99%! Learn how. Become Elite Trader now!
Author
Message
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".
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".
| 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.
"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"
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"
"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"
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.
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.
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Related topics:
GREAT book every grammar junkie should read
Grammar Rules!
John G. Roberts, Grammar Nazi
Uh, grammar?
Dear Grammar Nazis
Dutch spelling & grammar files for Word in Windows XP
Eduin Grammar
Correcting Grammar? wtf
Everquest 2 Leveling question
Modem Question
Piercing Question
Fallen Earth Tech Level question
EQ question
Poll Question for Married/Previously Married Men.
Stupid question about Lauren000
Web page question...
Guild Wars solo farming question
Question of you photography buffs..
Anarchy Online Fee question
Credit Question
neopets advent question
Divx question
Magelo search question
question from an unfortunate not testing
Trading Safety Question...
$ making question
Warhammer Online Wiki question
wireless question






