ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: I or me

anon1 — Thu, 02 Sep 2004 05:27:36 GMT

CalifJim,

So it is a simple "rule" and that's that.

Okay. I struggled with this question because I wondered, is it the subject or the object.

And as mentioned, I thought how I would say, "It is I, It is me". I would tend naturally to go with the latter. But I wasn't confident in my answer, so I thought I would let you or MM answer the question first. Then I could ask my question if necessary.

The "it is I..." sounds artificial to me. Ah well, once you know the rules, then you are free to break them right?

If you're interested, you can see this link-Grammar Myths Debunked-which tends to allow for more flexibility. You seem to allow for this flexibilty too in your answer, though not as explicitly.

Thank you for your help.

MountainHiker

Re: I or me

CalifJim — Thu, 02 Sep 2004 05:04:16 GMT

MountainHiker,

That's hard to believe! You're so good at Googling! OK. Here goes:

"Rule": Nominative case for a predicate nominative.

It is/was/has been ... (I, you, he, she, it, we, you, they).

I gave the conservative (prescriptive) answer in case the question had to do with "English tests". One never knows the real purpose of the question, nor the specific needs of the questioner.

The objective case [me] is accepted by some because people usually say it that way.

It is/was/has been ... (me, you, him, her, it, us, you, them).

Most of the borderline, debatable, or controversial cases are textbook sentences, just to present a complete picture of English grammar, no matter how unusual the combinations and permutations.

In the living language, in my opinion, these sorts of sentences do not often occur. Are they avoided because they are borderline cases? I don't know.

So the "real" English way of expressing the thought in question is

"I'm the one who/that asked to go to the store, not you."

"I / me" problem solved!
Q.E.D.

Re: I or me

anon1 — Thu, 02 Sep 2004 03:50:25 GMT

Hi CalifJim,

I struggled with the first example, so I didn't bother to even venture to answer the question. Can you provide your rationale behind "I" and not "me". I looked at various grammar sites and didn't find much. I saw something to the effect that "It is I" that is correct.

But if I knocked on your door and you said, "who is it?" I would reply, "It's me, MountainHiker." I wouldn't say, "It's I, MountainHiker." Perhaps I should, but I wouldn't do it automatically.

I am curious as to the supporting reasons. Again, I didn't know how to answer this question, so I am looking forward to your answer.

MountainHiker

Re: I or me

CalifJim — Thu, 02 Sep 2004 03:21:55 GMT

1. I
2. me

I or me

Guest — Wed, 01 Sep 2004 18:50:04 GMT

I have two sentences. It was I, not you, who asked to go to the store. ( I or me?)
The conversation, between Mary,Alice, and I, was brief but angry. ( I or me?)