Writing Clinic: Me and I
When is it correct to use “I” and when should you use “me?” The two words are often used incorrectly. But it isn’t that difficult to know which is correct.
“I” is the subject of a verb – the one who does the action. “Me” is the object of the verb – the one the subject does the action to. Example: I want this for me.
When “I” and “me” are used with another noun, you often can hear which word should be used if you remove the other noun. Look at the following sentence:
Patti and (me or I) ate the whole loaf of bread. Patti ate the whole loaf of bread. I ate the whole loaf of bread. Patti and I ate the whole loaf of bread. “I” am the subject of the verb. I ate the bread.
And here is an example for “me:” The doctor gave both my husband and (me or I) prescriptions. The doctor gave my husband a prescription. The doctor gave me a prescription. The doctor gave my husband and me prescriptions. “Me” is the object of the verb. I didn’t do anything. It was done to me.
Now you try it. If you stop and think a moment before speaking or writing, you soon will hear the correct pronoun to use. Just remember, “I am not the king. I am the subject.”
©Mary K. Doyle