Why do so many people use "Bob (or other name) and I" as an object (incorrect!)?

Question

Yet people think they're so smart when they say "you can just ask so-and-so and I" -- it's ridiculous! I've heard partners at CPA firms do this! Why do people always talk that way?

Answer 1

That's an excellent question. I, too, have noticed this problem.

I believe it is because as youngsters, many people say "Bob and me" naturally all the time. In school, they get corrected by teachers who instill in them "Bob and I".

I frequently have to explain this to people, by pointing out that you wouldn't tell I that the bakery was closed, so why would you tell Bob and I?

Answer 2

This is one of the most common errors in the English language. People confuse the subject and object forms of the personal pronoun. I think that many times the object misuse comes from being corrected repetitively on the subject usage. The simple rule is this: if you would normally use I (subject form) when referring to yourself alone, then you use I in combination with another person (e.g. I will go to the store. -- Bob and I will go to the store. -- Bob or I will go to the store.); if you would use me (object form) referring to yourself alone, then use me in combination with another person (e.g. Give the money to me at the end of the show. -- Give the money to Bob or me at the end of the show. -- Give the money to Bob and me at the end of the show.)

Answer 3

There are multiple reasons why they do this.
1. They grew up saying it
2. They grew up with people who said it like that
3. They are in a rush and under pressure and cannnot think quite clearly
4. They just don't know that it is incorrect.

Answer 4

"Bob and I" is not always incorrect. For example, "Bob and I are going to the bakery" is correct, but "Someone told Bob and I the bakery was closed" Is not correct, in that sentence it should be "Bob and me"