That might be funny if anyone actually thought it possible that you were smarter than I.
or
That might be funny if anyone actually thought it possible that you were smarter than me.
2007-08-24 06:47:37 · 11 answers · asked by Michael O 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Grammar books will teach you "I", because our grammar books are all derived from an ancient system that tried to jam rules of Latin into English.
In common spoken English, on the other hand, the accusative tense is used after a comparative word like "than", so the correct answer (from how people really speak and not how grammarians think we should speak) is "me".
2007-08-24 07:12:26 · answer #1 · answered by Expat Mike 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ten thumbs up for Mike, Mike! I'll quote his answer to lend it the requisite thrust:
Grammar books will teach you "I", because our grammar books are all derived from an ancient system that tried to jam rules of Latin into English.
In common spoken English, on the other hand, the accusative tense is used after a comparative word like "than", so the correct answer (from how people really speak and not how grammarians think we should speak) is "me".
2007-08-24 15:43:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"I" is correct...imagine the sentence written this way, "...that you were smarter than I [am]". Good rule: if you're using any part of the verb "to be" [which "...you were" is, right?] it always takes the nominative case: I, you, he, she, we.
Look at your sentence the wrong way..."..that you were smarter than me [am]"?
2007-08-24 14:00:02 · answer #3 · answered by constantreader 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Either one works. Than can be a conjunction in which case there's an implied "am" so you need "I" or a preposition which requires the objective form, "me".
2007-08-24 14:06:25 · answer #4 · answered by Goddess of Grammar 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i before e except after c wont help you totally i heard there is something else you need to know in some instances and all this time i thaught that had me covered just like little l and big I are the same letters i think someone is trying to confuse me some time
2007-08-24 13:59:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Ask youself, am I smarter than you, or me smarter than you?
2007-08-24 15:36:00 · answer #6 · answered by MJ MCK 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're talking about yourself so use ME.
2007-08-24 13:53:34 · answer #7 · answered by ♥Infatuation 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ME SOUNDS MORE RIGHT WITH THE SOUND OF THE SENTENCE BUT I DONT KNOW FOR SURE.
2007-08-24 13:55:17 · answer #8 · answered by lismarie16 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It should technically be I (am), but 'Me' scans better
2007-08-24 17:58:28 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I *believe* it should be I, but I am not postive about that.
2007-08-24 13:53:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋