How to choose 'and me' or 'and I' in a sentence.

Question

Learn a simple, accurate way to determine the correct use of 'and me' or 'and I' in a sentence.

Answer 1

A helpful trick I like to use is putting 'me' or 'I' in a sentence, sounding it out in my head, and seeing if it makes sense or sounds right intuitively. 'I went to the grocery store' versus 'Me went to the grocery store' - which one is correct? It's the first one, so the correct answer would be 'you and I went to the grocery store', NOT 'you and me went to the grocery store.'

Another example: 'She gave me a gift' versus 'She gave I a gift'. The first one is correct, so the correct answer would be 'she gave you and me a gift' and NOT 'she gave you and I a gift'.

Here's the formal answer:

You would use "and me" when you are the object in a sentence (being acted upon). For example, the teacher spoke to you and me.

You would use "and I" when you are the subject of a sentence (actor). For example, you and I spoke to the teacher.

Answer 2

I for subject, me for object

I for the active actor, me for the passive guy or girl, acted upon

I did it. or No, You did it to me

John "and I did it" but NO, You "and me" didn't do it. so I'm innocent, like You.

best thing about this though is no gender controversies. like in 3rd person pronouns

You, me, I are all genderless.

confusion comes up in more complicated sentences

like Who do you think did it? me or you? That's wrong. or is it? It should read

Who do you think did it? I or you? but that sounds so stilted, so odd, no one says it that way. the collision of ancient King James English colliding with modern usage

but Who do you think did it? really asks for Whom do you think did it, and Whom is an object like me, not a subject like I.

so whenever a 1700's hundreds King James grammarian corrects you, they just may be wrong, even in their own grammar, It's possible.