I'm an EFL student, and can't consult a teacher since it's summer break. So anyways, someone pointed out to me that I can't use "me and my sisters", that I must use "my sisters and I". I need to know which rule the person is referring to, so I can learn it. What other sentences abide by this rule? Thanks
2007-08-16 09:21:08 · 11 answers · asked by Puchiko 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Primary & Secondary Education
Thanks Robin, but I have really found English to be quite easy compared to my native language, Czech. No language is really easy but English is okay because it uses the Latin alphabet, just like my native language.
2007-08-16 09:44:08 · update #1
Whenever you are able to substitute "Me and my sister" with just "Me" and it makes sense, then it is correct.
Ex: Bob and Me went to school.
Me went to school. This is not correct.
I went to school. This is correct, so...Bob and I went to school.
Ex: They wont talk to Jane and me.
They won't talk to me. This is correct, so the usage of "me" in the first sentence is acceptable.
Also whenever using yourself and another person, put the other person first. It sounds better.
Jane and me. Not: Me and Jane. Because Jane is not "mean".
2007-08-16 09:40:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the context. The one poster that referred to "Me and my sisters are going to the mall" is correct in that context. If you were to drop the "and my sisters" part, you'd say "I am going to the mall" because that is the "subject" pronoun form and you (in the first person "I" form) are the subject of the sentance.
"Me" is the object form pronoun, and would be used when you are the object of the sentance rather than the subject. In the sentance "Are you talking to me?" "you" is the subject, and "me" is the object, so if we expand that sentance to "Are you talking to me and my sisters?" "me and my sisters" would be a more proper form, but it would be more common to say, "Are you talking to us?"
Jane Strauss has a bit more on this at the website below.
2007-08-16 16:43:58 · answer #2 · answered by Tad W 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You CAN use "me and my sisters" when it is the object of a sentence. For example:
The ball rolled toward me and my sisters.
It is incorrect to use "me and my sisters" when it is in the subject of a sentence. For example:
Me and my sisters rolled the ball down the street.
That is incorrect grammar. The very simple rule to remember is - use "me" with a phrase like "me and my sisters" only when it is correct to use "me" alone: "The ball rolled toward me". The same applies to "I". Use "I" with a phrase like "I and my sisters" only when it is correct to use "I" alone: "I rolled the ball".
Hope this helps.
2007-08-16 16:34:18 · answer #3 · answered by artistagent116 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
lots of people would say me and my sisters... it's just not PROPER english... who knows what the rule is called. good luck learning english... i heard its one of the hardest languages to learn... its confusing... so many rules, and so many exceptions to the rules that the rules barely even matter. its crazy. but the rule there i think is that you usually list yourself last and refer to yourself as I and not me.
2007-08-16 16:29:47 · answer #4 · answered by rm333 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
since things had changed with school districts over the years, one of them was that is you HAVE to use my sisters and I. Not all school have it, the chances of your school Not having them is 3 in100 the rule dosen't apply to you.
2007-08-16 16:37:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know the rule, but, for example, one can say:
I went to the store.
and one can say
my sisters went to the store.
hence, my sisters and I went to the store.
but you would never say
me went to the store, unless you are a caveman, or a public school graduate
2007-08-16 17:05:32 · answer #6 · answered by Wayne G 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure if any specific rule applied. I thought it was just common courtesy which governed it. You put other in front of yourself.
2007-08-16 16:29:50 · answer #7 · answered by Dylan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There ARE some situations where you can use "me and my sisters."
For example, "He bought dinner for me and my sisters."
It's correct only if "me and my sisters" is the object of the sentence - that is, an action is being done to, for, or on "me and my sisters." Another example is, "My dad bought presents for my mother and me."
Otherwise, use "I" instead of "me."
2007-08-16 16:39:23 · answer #8 · answered by Betsy D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was taught when I was younger "me and my sister" but as I got older I was told that it was incorrect. My advice to you is say it however it feels comfortable. I still say "me and my sister" and I am college educated!
2007-08-16 16:30:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Cause you aren't going to say me am going to the mall.
Your going to say I am going to the mall.
So you can't use me and my sisters are going to the mall, it has to be my sisters and I are going to the mall.
2007-08-16 16:29:08 · answer #10 · answered by angel2005_2001 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋