Wading through those muddy waters of grammar again….
Do you see anything wrong with the following sentences?
He wrote to Sarah and I to tell us he was OK.
They rode with Bob and I to the concert.
Everyone from my students to my peers to Our Esteemed President, Barack Obama, is a little confused about when to use the pronoun ‘I’. I think people over-use it because they think it sounds distinguished. But to me, it sounds wrong.
For example, I’ve heard Obama say things like, This has been a great experience for Michelle and I.
My friends even say, She came to Rob and I’s party.
(shiver)
But take the other person out of the equation for a second. Would you ever say, This has been a great experience for I or She came to I’s party?
No. You’d say “for me” and “to my party”. Thus, you should say, This has been a great experience for Michelle and me, and She came to Rob’s and my party.
When is it appropriate to use the pronoun ‘I’?
- When it’s the subject of your sentence: Michelle and I had a great experience.
- …Even if the subject comes after the verb ‘to be’: It is I.
- After ‘than’: She is stronger than I. (This one could be confusing, but just think, She is stronger than I am. You wouldn’t say “stronger than me am”.)
This is I’s understanding of the rules. Am me right or wrong on this one?