Writing tips to keep every writer going. If you need writing tips, this is your place.
This has been one of my favorite writing tips since I was a child. Consider the following sentence, and ask yourself which sentence you would use on a day to day basis:
You and me should go to the movie tonight.
or
You and I should go to the movie tonight.
I know this is intense. This is the type of grammar discussion that comes up at the dinner table over Mac & Cheese. Which one of these sentences is written correctly? There seems to be much confusion over the concept of using “me,” or “I.” However, the answer is not terribly difficult. I am going to give you a simple rule that will solve the problem. Take out the word “you” in each sentence, and you will reveal which sentence can still stand on its own. Once you have determined that, then you know which sentence is the proper sentence. In the sentences below I have removed the confusing “you and.”
Me should go to the movie tonight. (I removed the “You and” part of the previous sentence)
or
I should go to the movie tonight. (I removed the “You and” part of the previous sentence)
That makes it pretty clear doesn’t it? When you are having doubts about using “I” versus “me” in a sentence like this, just remove the “you,” and you will know how to say it. Here is one last example:
You should jump off the bridge like Johnny and me.
or
You should jump off the bridge like Johnny and I.
In this case Johnny and (Me, or I) are linked together, but the concept is the same. So, how do you know which sentence will work? Remove Johnny and see if it stands on its own.
You should jump off the bridge like me.
or
You should jump off the bridge like I.
Can you think of your own examples? Try it out in your head. This little rule keeps things simple, and should help you determine on the fly if you should use “me” or “I.”
If you found this post useful at all, please take a brief moment to stumble or digg this article with the convenient links below.
Happy writing
Justin
easywritingtips.com is about a writer wanting to connect with other writers who are looking for writing tips. I will share what I know about writing, and I hope you will share your tips with me. That way, we can all learn to write better!
Just thought I’d say hello. Great site you have here.
It’s surprising how many people get confused when using I or me. But I’m sure these tips will help lots of folk out there.
This is a fantastic tip! I’ve taken advanced grammars (though you wouldn’t know it, lol) and this particular issue has never been as clear to me as it is right now. Thanks!!
Why thank you
Please feel free to digg or stumble this writing tip so others may benefit from it as well. I hope to see you come by again Kristyn.
Justin
me knows this subject quite well (Hilarious, huh?). but here’s one that i can’t find a reference for.
“you actually do some work, as opposed to me, who just pushes paper.”
–or–
“you actually do some work, as opposed to i, who just pushes paper.”
and it gets a little more confusing depending upon whether you consider w/ or w/o the comma.
“you actually do some work, as opposed to me who just pushes paper.”
general rule of thumb is “me” after a preposition (in this case “to”), but it’s falling apart.
any thoughts? gavin
upon reflection, i think this might be reflexive:
“…as opposed to myself, who just pushes paper.”
Gavin – Thanks for the comments and question.
Actually, the proper way to say the sentence is as follows:
You actually do some work, as opposed to me, who just pushes paper.
The sentence would not use the word “myself” as a reflexive. The reflexive “myself” requires you to use the word “I.” Clearly the sentence uses “me” and not “I.” As far as the comma goes, to some degree its usage is a matter of preference and style.