How to decide whether to use "I" or "me" in a sentence

People frequently misuse the word "I" when speaking.

In conversation, people often say sentences along the lines of "My friend and me went to the same college" or "They are looking for you and I." However, the grammar in both of these sentences is incorrect. Correct usage of the prepositions "I" and "me" relate to their relationship to verbs. When referring to the subject of a sentence, the noun that performs the action of a verb, use "I." When speaking of the direct object or indirect object of a verb or preposition, use "me."

Instructions

1. Locate the verb in the sentence. A verb signifies an action, like "jump," "walk" or "take." Stative verbs denote a state of being, such as "are" or "have."

2. Decide if you wish to refer to yourself as the person who performs an action or receives one. For example, if the verb is "give," ask yourself if you are doing the giving or if someone else if giving you something.

3. Place "I" before the verb if you wish to express that you are completing the action. For example, in the sentence "I told her," "I" belongs before the verb because it expresses the doer of the action.

4. Situate "me" after the verb if you wish to express that someone else is completing the action. For example, in the sentence "She told me," "me" belongs after the verb because it receives the action.

5. Use "me" when referring to an indirect object of a verb. In the sentence, "The officer gave me a ticket," "ticket" is the direct object of the verb "gave" because it is "being given"; "me" is not being given. "Me" is an indirect object (it does not perform or receive the action). In the sentence "She is going with me," the verb going takes no direct object, that is, "She is going" is a complete idea unto itself. "Me" is neither the subject nor the direct object; it is the object of the preposition "with."

Tips & Warnings

• Only use "I" when referring to the doer of an action. All other times use "me."

• If you are still confused about when to use "I" or "me," try placing "me" in front of the verb and see if it makes sense. For example, "Me am going to the game" is not correct; therefore "I" belongs first.

• Watch out for passive sentences, which situate the subject of the sentence after the verb, as in "I was given a gift," "A gift was given to me" and "She was given a gift by me." In these instances, "I" still precedes the verb, even when it is the object of the verb, and "me" still follows the verb, even when it is the subject of the verb.

References

• University of Houston-Victoria: Grammatically Correct
• "Simon & Schuster Handbook for Writers;" Lynn Quitman Troyka; 2002