A lady from a major bank wrote to me recently asking if I’d help her settle a $50 bet she had with her workmate about “I” vs. “me.” Which do you think is right?
- Box a few rounds with Tyson and I
- Box a few rounds with Tyson and me
Most people in my courses think “I” would win the round. But they’re wrong; “me” is the champ here. (So was the lady from the bank – she won her bet.)
But look out! “I” hasn’t thrown in the towel yet! Which of these is right?
- Tyson and I boxed a few rounds
- Tyson and me boxed a few rounds
With a sharp uppercut “I” knocks out “me” and wins!
Punch drunk? Confused? Here’s how to tell when to use
“I” vs. “me.”
The quick way: remove the other person and see if it still makes sense. So, “Box a few rounds with Tyson and I,” becomes, “Box a few rounds with I,” which is obviously wrong. Then you’d know it should be, “Box a few rounds with Tyson and me.” (Prove it works for yourself: try the same rule on “Tyson and me boxed a few rounds.”)
The technical way: it depends on whether the pronoun [I or me] is acting as the subject or the object of the sentence. [The subject is what does the action; the object is what the action is done to.] “I” can only be used as the subject of a sentence; “me” can only be used as the object of a sentence. Ditto for she/her, he/him, we/us, etc.
You’ve been saved by the bell! Now you know when to use “I” or “me” you can replace your mouthguard, climb back in the ring and sock it to ’em!
Has this helped you? Please let me know by leaving a comment below…