| Knowing whether to use "me" or "I" in a sentence can be very confusing. In Modern Standard English, it depends on whether it is being used as a subjective pronoun or an objective pronoun. You might not need to know what those phrases mean to figure out which word to use, however. First, use each word in a modified version of the sentence. For example, consider these sentences: |  |
| "You and I should have breakfast." or "You and me should have breakfast." |
Modify the sentences by taking the "you" out of it and try it again:
| "I should have breakfast." or "Me should have breakfast." |
If you're a native English speaker or proficient in Modern Standard English, it is probably clear to you that, "I should have breakfast," is the preferred form of the sentence. It just sounds right whether or not we know the reason why.
Here is another example:
| "Joaquin went to the store with Ashoorina and I." or "Joaquin went to the store with Ashoorina and me." |
Take "Ashoorina" out of the sentence and try it again.
| "Joaquin went to the store with I." or "Joaquin went to the store with me." |
Again, if you're a native English speaker or proficient in Modern Standard English, you probably think "Joaquin went to the store with I," sounds strange.
If it isn't obvious to you which word is correct (according to Modern Standard English) by this method, then understanding whether "I" or "me" is being used as an objective pronoun or a subjective pronoun is necessary.
What are objective and subjective pronouns?
First of all, a pronoun is a word used to replace a noun. My name is Cookie Davis. "Cookie Davis" is a noun. It would be strange and tiring to always use "Cookie Davis" when speaking and writing.
For example, consider the same sentences from the examples above:
If it isn't obvious to you which word is correct (according to Modern Standard English) by this method, then understanding whether "I" or "me" is being used as an objective pronoun or a subjective pronoun is necessary.
What are objective and subjective pronouns?
First of all, a pronoun is a word used to replace a noun. My name is Cookie Davis. "Cookie Davis" is a noun. It would be strange and tiring to always use "Cookie Davis" when speaking and writing.
For example, consider the same sentences from the examples above:
| "You and Cookie Davis should have breakfast." "Joaquin went to the store with Cookie Davis." |
It sounds much better and is much easier for me to say these sentences using a pronoun for Cookie Davis.
| "You and I should have breakfast." "Joaquin went to the store with me." |
In the sentences above, "I" and "me" are pronouns for the proper noun "Cookie Davis."
When you are using a pronoun for yourself—when you are using "I" or "me"—and you are the subject of the sentence, you use "I." Some examples:
When you are using a pronoun for yourself—when you are using "I" or "me"—and you are the subject of the sentence, you use "I." Some examples:
| "I should have breakfast." "I want to go to the movies." "I need to speak to you." |
These are all examples of "I" as the subject of the sentence. "I' am deciding to have breakfast. "I" want to go to the movies. "I" am the subject in each of these, therefore, "I" is a subjective pronoun in these sentences.
When you are using a pronoun for yourself and you are the object of the sentence, use "me" for the pronoun. Some examples:
When you are using a pronoun for yourself and you are the object of the sentence, use "me" for the pronoun. Some examples:
| "Joaquin went to the store with me." "Evelyn gave it to me." "They hugged me." |
In each of these examples "me" is the object of the sentence. "Joaquin," "Evelyn," and "They" are the subjects of the sentences and "me" is the object "Joaquin" is going to the store with, "Evelyn" is giving it to, or "They" are hugging. That means "me" is an objective pronoun.
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