From time to time we will be posting grammar and writing tips! We asked for suggestions on Twitter, and you answered. Up first is a request from @light4dawn for a post on when to use I and when to use me.
If you’re anything like me, the rule you remember from school is that I always comes after the other person’s name.
Correct: Edward and I
Incorrect: I and Edward
It’s pretty rare to see the I come first, so I think it’s safe to say we all have a good handle on this rule. In fact, we know this rule so well that sometimes we still use I when we should be using me. I could go on about different types of pronouns and subjects and objects and all that other technical stuff, but there’s a pretty easy trick to figure out which one you should use:
If you remove the other person, does the sentence make sense with I or me?
Correct: Edward and I are visiting Alice. (I am visiting Alice.)
Correct: Esme is cooking for Edward and me. (Esme is cooking for me.)
Incorrect: Carlisle gave Edward and I chocolate for Christmas. (Carlisle gave me chocolate.)
The same goes for using my and mine.
Correct: This is Edward’s and my house. (This is my house.)
Correct: The house on the left is Edward’s and mine. (The house is mine.)
Incorrect: Edward and I’s house is blue. (Don’t laugh! I’ve seen I’s used a couple of times, and it’s definitely not a laughing matter.)
This rule can also be used when deciding on the correct he/him or she/her.
Correct: She and Jasper live in Texas. (She lives in Texas.)
Correct: I am going to the party with her and Bella. (I am going with her.)
Incorrect: What the heck are him and Emmett doing to that deer? (What is he doing to that deer?)
Now that you have a better understanding of pronoun use, what other writing and grammar tips would you like to see? Does something have you perpetually confused? Perhaps you’d like to draw attention to an error you’re tired of seeing. Leave a comment below, tweet us @thetwilight25, or send us an email.