More and more I'm noticing people use the phrase 'and I' incorrectly. On TV, Facebook, and on group messages people are using 'and I' instead of 'me'.
It's so simple to determine the correct usage of 'I' or 'me'. Simply remove the name and the word and and you're left with 'I'. If you've used 'I' correctly the sentence will make sense.
Example: Joe and I went to the store. Remove Joe and. You're left with I went to the store. Makes sense so 'I' is correct.
Example of wrong usuage: Carol went to the store with Joe and I. Remove Joe and. You're left with Carol went to the store with I. Obviously, 'I' is incorrect. It should be me. Carol went to the store with me.
Yet, people constantly use 'and I'.
Okay, my rant for the day is finished.
7 comments:
I'm glad to know I'm not the only one with that as my pet peeve!
That's the way I was taught at school and I use it all the time to make sure I've got it right.
Drives me bonkers, too! And like you say, so easy to avoid!
My pet peeve is when I'm standing in line at the self checkout at my local Safeway and people insist on making one line that straggles down the aisle when the yellow sign clearly says form 2 lines.
Yes, call me anal. ;)
I'm with you 100% on this!!! I hear it so much from everyone even on TV that it drives me nuts!! I want to scream at them to think about what they are saying.
Hi Roseanne,
That annoys me too, the TV has a lot to answer for sometimes.
cheers
Mrgaret
Hi, Roseanne,
People who have had their hands slapped for saying "Sam and me went to the store" are now using "and I" in all situations instead. Over-correction!
My pet peeve (in terms of English usage LOL) is writers who use present participle modifiers incorrectly. New romance authors seem to do it all the time... For example:
"Strolling into the room, her eyes were drawn to the dark man huddled in the corner."
Whenever you have a participle modifier, the implied subject of the participle MUST be the same as the subject of the independent clause. "Her eyes" didn't stroll into the room! Usually the way to fix this is to alter the subject of the independent clause - or choose some structure other than a participle modifier.
This is a particularly egregious (and obvious) instance, but I see more subtle examples all the time, and it's enough to make me scream!
Post a Comment