Is this english rule always correct?

Question

The way to remember whether or not you use 'I' or 'me' is by dropping off the other person or thing and see if it still makes sense.
For example:
Do you want to go to the mall with Brian and me?
Do you want to go to the mall with me?
and
Brian and I went to the mall.
I went to the mall.

Answer 1

It works most of the time, but it does fail in some cases. For example, it will not help to decide between "me" and "I" in the following case:

There are many differences between Brian and me.
- There are many differences between me. (- doesn't make sense)
There are many differences between Brian and I.
- There are many differences between I. (- doesn't make sense either)

Really, though, it is a very helpful and reliable rule. It won't lead you to a wrong answer; at the worst, in a very small number of cases, it won't lead you in either direction. Don't give up on it because of the occasional exception.

Answer 2

I disagree with the above comment. Think about putting an object in there instead of "Brian". For example, "The cat is standing between me and the table". You wouldn't say "between I". So the correct way is "Between me and Brian/ between me and you, etc." It is an accurate rule. I also hate when people misuse it. The worst is when people use it in possessives. For example, my friend says things like, "David and I's anniversary is next month". I's anniversary? It makes me want to smack her!

Answer 3

It will always work in some form of setnece; but many sentences are incomplete, shorthand. bDSoit's too complicated.

I is the actor-subject form.

Me is the object form--something has to be done to it, for it, etc.

So your white-out rule will work in clear cases.
But that's why.

Now take an unclear case.
"Frank divided the books between him and me".
The sentence is incomplete; you don't divide books "between" two persons, except as a figurative, non-literal statement. He give books to someone.

But with the rule in mind, you'd know the "me" form is needed as an object of the action even in a misused senence structure.

Answer 4

Yes! And I wish that more people knew this and would apply it!
One of my pet peeves is the way so many people nowadays use the "I" form instead of "me" because they think it sounds more literate or more intelligent or something--------WRONG!
Often it's an educated person who does this; he or she just isn't thinking. For instance, "Spending time with our children has always been very important to Mike and I." I heard someone say this just yesterday! Aaaaaargh! Would she say, "Spending time with our children has always been very important to I"???
Of course she wouldn't!

Glad you posted this question; hope lots of people take notice!

Answer 5

Lots of good answers here. I just want to add a little to the "Frank divided the books between him and me" thing. All you have to do there is replace 'him and me' with 'us'. That shows you it's an object, so you know to go ahead and use me.

Answer 6

Glad you posted this question. It drives me nuts when people use I instead of me. Yes good rule of thumb wish more people would use it.

Answer 7

I do the same thing. Yes, it's an accurate rule.

-MM

Answer 8

Sounds good to me.