Confusion over when to use the pronouns ‘I’ and ‘me’ is widespread, and it’s not limited to the less-well-educated: in my own experience, people with university degrees get it wrong equally as often as anyone else.
It’s not that others won’t understand you if you get it wrong — they will.
It’s not even about being judged by others, although there are people out there who will either judge you or correct you.
It’s actually about communicating as clearly and effectively as possible. That’s why the “rules” and conventions of grammar exist.
Using the right pronouns is not actually that hard. Perhaps it just needs clearer explanation than has been experienced in the past.
We instinctively know when to use the pronouns when it’s just ourselves we are talking about. We know to say “I am happy”, not “Me is happy”. We know to ask “What do you want me to do?” Or “Can I do anything for you?”
We can use that basic knowledge to help get it right when we add someone else into the sentence.
If you are talking about two or more people , simply remove the other subject(s) from the sentence for a moment and think about which pronoun you would use if it were just you.
Then pop them back into the equation, always putting yourself after the others because that’s good manners.
Jules and I are happy.
Do you want Kim and me to do that for you?
If you need help, please see Robin, Beck or me.
If you are adding possession to the mix, such as talking about something that belongs to both of you or a friend in common, the same rule applies.
Kim is a friend of Robin’s.
Kim is a friend of mine.
Kim is a friend of Robin’s and mine.
This is Jules’ and my house.
When can I see Beck’s and your new puppy?
These guidelines will enable you to know which pronouns to use, and so help you speak and write with more confidence, which is a great thing.
Knowing When To Use ‘Me’ and ‘I’Tweet
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