Comments on: Me, myself and I

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 22:46:00 +0000

I know this is a really old post, I just happened across it today and thought I’d add my question in case someone *is* looking for new comments. In the initial example, the writer stated that “this is I…” would be incorrect. I didn’t think it actually was. I seem to remember being taught that after a linking verb a subject pronoun is used, rather than an object pronoun. I know my mother always answered “This is she” when a phone caller asked for her by name. Is there such an exception or not?? The reason I was given for this rule is that “is” (and other conjugations as well) implies equivalence of the subject and object. (this is she she is this)

By: mighty red pen

mighty red pen — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 19:39:00 +0000

*Well done for spotting my deliberate mistake, MRP. Good to know you are paying attention.
You know I hang on GrammarBlog's every word, doncha?

By: mighty red pen

mighty red pen — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 21:22:00 +0000

Gez, I feel compelled to mention, only because it’s such a great typo, that his name is really Paul Brians, although he probably does have a lot of Brains . . .

By: cmadler

cmadler — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 18:42:00 +0000

Setting the grammar issue aside, I have always preferred captioning photos in third person.

By: Gez

Gez — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 16:55:00 +0000

That wasn’t a reprimand, that was a joshing. Everyone should read the engine room, it’s great. You can find the link in our friend list.

By: JD

JD — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 15:45:00 +0000

I have been officially reprimanded for over-zealously promoting my blog on GrammarBlog! Fear not, I shall cease and desist.But I will, of course, continue commenting…

By: JD

JD — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 13:11:00 +0000

Punctuating quotations: there seems to be a big difference between US and UK usage. Americans seem to be sticklers for including punctuation within the quote marks, whereas Brits don't unless the punctuation itself is part of the quote.

This is bit of a generalisation I know but it is my experience having taught English as a foreign language working both with other Brits and Americans.

It may be that usage in the UK is changing to match the American model (which would be a shame).

Incidentally, I work for a UK magazine and we don't include punctuation inside our quote marks unless it is part of the quote - so it is not so rebellious as you might think!

Umm, I was going to write about 'me' and 'I' but got sidetracked... maybe next time...

http://engineroomblog.blogspot.com

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 12:51:00 +0000

I agree with Gez (and Bill Bryson). Punctuating quotations which fall at the end of sentences is a bit of a minefield that no-one has ever set a proper rule for – establish your own preference and stick to it.

By: Gez

Gez — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 07:16:00 +0000

You rebel, you! Actually, I think we’ve covered this in a comment thread of a previous post (which I can’t, for the life of me, find). The rule isn’t as set in stone as you think. As you are quoting a complete sentence, you could end it …game.”. but that just looks weird. As long as you are consistent with your style, nobody can complain too much about ahow you choose to deal with this.

By: Mojave33

Mojave33 — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 02:03:00 +0000

One of the main factors in the incorrect usage of “I” and “me” is due to an overcorrection of using “me” as a subjective pronoun, as in “John and me went to the game”. Then it was drilled into all of us that it was “John and I” and now everyone thinks that is the only correct usage. So now you’ll routinely hear people, especially tv journalists use “I” where “me” should be used, not because they think it sounds informal but because they’ve been overcorrected.Note: I know I incorrectly placed the period outside of the quote in my first sentence. I personally rebel against the rule that punctuation should be inside quotes when ending sentences. The quoted passage is just a chunk of the main sentence and the punctuation is ending the main sentence not the chunk. I think that rule should be changed! I’d love to hear what other people think about that.