I vs Me: A Simple Guide

Understanding “I” vs “Me”

History of “I” and “Me”

The words “I” and “Me” have been part of the English language for a long time. “I” comes from the Old English word “ic” and “Me” comes from “mec” or “me.” Both are personal pronouns, which are words that we use to replace names when talking about people.

How to Use “I”

“I” is used when the person speaking is doing the action. “I” is always the subject of the sentence.

• I am going to the store.
• I like to read books.
• I saw a movie yesterday.
• Today, I will play soccer.
• I have a pet dog.

How to Use “Me”

“Me” is used when the person speaking receives the action. “Me” is always the object of the sentence.

• Mom gave me a gift.
• Can you help me with my homework?
• The teacher called me.
• Please pass me the salt.
• Dad took me to the park.

Trick to Remember the Difference

To know whether to use “I” or “Me,” try this trick:
Remove the other person from the sentence and see if it still makes sense.

For example, in “Mom and I went to the store,” remove “Mom” and check: “I went to the store” works. In “Mom gave John and me a gift,” remove “John” and check: “Mom gave me a gift” works.

Summary

Remember, use “I” when you are the doer, and use “Me” when you are receiving the action. “I” is a subject pronoun, and “Me” is an object pronoun.