me
pronoun
UK/miː/US/miː/
Used by a speaker to refer to himself or herself as the object of a verb or preposition.
Example Sentences
She gave me the book yesterday.
Please send me the report by Friday.
They invited me to the party.
Can you help me with this task?
He told me a funny story.
The teacher asked me a question.
She looked at me with surprise.
Give me a call when you're free.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
How to Use
Refers to oneself as the object of a verb or preposition.“Me” is a first-person singular object pronoun used by the speaker to refer to themselves as the object of a verb or preposition. For example, in the sentence “She gave me a gift,” “me” is the object receiving the gift. Similarly, in “This book is for me,” “me” is the object of the preposition “for.” “Me” cannot be used as the subject of a sentence; instead, the subject form “I” is appropriate. For instance, “Me and John are going” is grammatically incorrect and should be “John and I are going.” In informal speech, some people may incorrectly use “me” as a subject, but proper usage requires distinguishing between subject pronouns (“I”) and object pronouns (“me”). Additionally, “me” is used in various idiomatic expressions and phrasal verbs, such as “between you and me,” “for me,” or “to me.” Understanding when to use “me” versus “I” is essential for grammatical accuracy.
Alternatives
In contexts where reflexive or emphatic pronouns are needed, “myself” can sometimes replace “me” for added emphasis or correctness. For example, instead of saying “Please give it to me myself,” one might say “Please give it to me.” However, “myself” is not a direct synonym for “me” and is used differently. Other pronouns cannot replace “me” directly because “me” specifically functions as an object pronoun. However, rephrasing sentences can eliminate the need for “me” or adjust the sentence structure to use the subject pronoun “I.” For instance, instead of “She and me went to the store,” you can say “She and I went to the store.”
Writing
When writing, it’s crucial to use “me” correctly to maintain grammatical accuracy. Ensure that “me” is used only as an object pronoun—either as the object of a verb or a preposition. For example, write “He called me yesterday” instead of “He called I yesterday.” To avoid common mistakes, remember that “me” should not be the subject of a sentence; use “I” instead. In compound subjects or objects, list other subjects or objects before “I” or “me.” For example, “John and I went to the park” (subject) and “She gave the tickets to John and me” (object). A useful trick is to remove the other noun to test the sentence: “I went to the park” (correct) versus “Me went to the park” (incorrect), which confirms the correct usage. Additionally, in more formal writing, be cautious of overly casual language that might misuse “me” as a subject or in incorrect positions. Proofreading sentences that involve personal pronouns can help catch errors. For example, ensure sentences like “Please let me know” are correctly structured, without accidental misuse like “Let I know.” By paying attention to the role of “me” in each sentence, you can enhance the clarity and professionalism of your writing.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “me” is super versatile to refer to oneself as the object of actions or prepositions. For example, you might say, “He gave me a ride,” or “This is for me,” without much thought to formality. It’s common to hear “me” used in compound objects like “Me and my friends went to the movies,” though grammatically it’s better to say “My friends and I went to the movies.” However, in relaxed settings, such corrections are often overlooked. People also use “me” in idiomatic expressions and informal phrases, such as “It’s all about me,” “Between you and me,” or “Come with me.” These expressions make “me” an integral part of everyday speech, emphasizing personal involvement or inclusion. Additionally, “me” is used in various casual contexts like texting or social media: “Check out what I did for me today!” or “Send me a pic.” In more relaxed writing, like personal blogs or messages to friends, “me” fits seamlessly to express thoughts and actions without needing formal structure. Just remember that in more structured or professional contexts, proper usage should be maintained to ensure clarity and correctness. Overall, “me” is a straightforward pronoun that keeps conversations and informal writing clear and personable.
Etymology
The word “me” has its origins in Old English “me,” which was the dative and accusative form of “ic” (meaning “I”). It evolved from Proto-Germanic *mē, retaining its function as an object pronoun through various stages of the English language. In Middle English, the pronoun system simplified, and “me” became the standard object form, distinct from the subject form “I.” This differentiation mirrors similar developments in other Germanic languages, where object and subject pronouns became more distinct over time. Throughout its history, “me” has remained a fundamental part of English grammar, consistently used to represent the speaker as the object of a verb or preposition. Its simplicity and essential role in sentence structure have kept it a stable element in the language. Despite shifts in usage patterns and increased attention to grammatical correctness, “me” continues to function effectively as a key pronoun in both spoken and written English, reflecting its deep-rooted presence in the language.
