When to use me or I?

Question

A previous discussion about "ti in a sentence" got me thinking. I have no idea about when to use me and when to use I. I was hunting for an answer on the internet and found that this is a problem even with the native English speakers. Easily I found a site that explained it so even I can understand it.

The official explanation is, “I” is a nominative pronoun and is used as a subject of a sentence or clause, while “me” is an objective pronoun and used as an object.

Now if I can just remember it would be nice! Although, this was clearly explained by Quentin in that thread, but I did not know what a tonic or atonic means.

There is an explanation on this site about 'atonic' by Lazarus, but I have not study it yet.

Answer 1

Zoltán, the nominative/objective rule works for he & him, and for she & her as well.

• Thank you Valerie for reminding me, I do need reminders and corrections. - Zoltán Nov 27, 2009
• Yes, indeedy, Valerie! Huzzah! - 0057ed01 Nov 27, 2009
• they and them, too... - 0057ed01 Nov 27, 2009

Answer 2

Fine topic, and thanks for the link, Zoltan. It's very clear and well done.

The examples of correct usage, especially, are excellent.

I'm one who cringes when I hear or read faulty usage of "I" as an objective pronoun, which is pandemic here in the States.

Between you and I (Egads! Doesn't that sound simply awful!), I wouldn't worry about that arcane stuff about atonic. And just think of "tonic" only as it applies to a cold gin-and-tonic on a hot day.

(A related issue is the misuse of "myself" as the subject. But that's another story.)

• "tonic" you said? I drink to that! - Zoltán Nov 27, 2009

Answer 3

It can be tricky: You are asked. "Who's there?" I or me? In this case we must invert and say "It is I." Most Americans get this one wrong because they don't invert, which would be, "I am it." So in this same case, "I' is not the object. Another way to remember: Me cannot do anything, only I can.

Answer 4

"Invert" seems a good technique, but it's the first time I've heard of it.

But isn't the reason "I" is used, is that "is" is an intransitive verb?

(Wow! That's a lot of "ises" or should that be "is's?" Definitely not!)

That's also why Mildred replies, "This is she," when asked "Is Mildred there?" by a caller on the telephone.

I do hope me made this clear to they who yearn to know...

(While I'm at it, another clanger occurs when people say or write, "The reason is because..." Nope: "The reason is that..." is proper.)

• I've always thought "This is she." was because she was the subject of the sentence... - Valerie Nov 27, 2009