Grammatically Correct: When to Use: You and Me versus You and I

Preposition
A part of speech that connects a noun or pronoun to another word in a sentence. Examples include with, across, by, from, about, between, etc.

Object of a preposition
A noun or pronoun that a preposition correlates to another word or phrase.

Direct object
A noun or noun clause identifying what or whom after a transitive verb (a verb that takes an object).

Indirect object
A noun or noun clause that assumes an intermediary role in the action being described in a sentence

Subject
The noun or noun substitute that a sentence is about; the “doer” of a specified action in a sentence.

Definitions are adapted from Dictionary.com and Harbrace College Handbook, 13^th Edition.

Grammatically Correct 7/18/06 A weekly grammar tip created by Academic Center Peer Writing Tutors.	University of Houston-Victoria 3007 N. Ben Wilson Victoria, TX 77901
When to Use: You and Me versus You and I by Kelli Trungale
At one time or another, you may have been told that using the phrase you and me is incorrect in all instances. However, it is not true. Indeed, you and me has its grammatically correct place in a sentence, as does you and I. *The use of you and me* is correct when it is the object of a preposition (the object in a phrase that describes where, in the example below).** Ex. Maria is going to the basketball game with you and me. In the example above, the prepositional phrase is with you and me, and you and me are the objects of that prepositional phrase. *The use of you and me* is also correct when it is the direct object (the object that is receiving an action).** Ex. Maria will drive you and me to the basketball game. The direct objects are you and me because you and me are the recipients of Maria’s action. *The use of you and me* is correct when it is used as an indirect object (an object that plays a secondary role in a sentence).** Ex. Maria gave you and me tickets to the basketball game. The indirect objects in the example above are you and me. In other words, the tickets are the direct object, or the initial recipient of Maria’s action, and you and me are the secondary recipients of Maria’s action. *The use of you and I* is correct when it is the subject of the sentence (the “doer” in the sentence).** Ex. You and I are going to the basketball game with Maria. The subject, or the “doers,” in the sentence above are you and I. *Here’s a helpful hint: If you’re in doubt about whether to use you and me, try replacing me with I, and use I in the sentence by itself. If I doesn’t make sense, then try to use me by itself. If me works, then you and me* is the correct phrase to use.** Ex. You and I are going to the baseball game with Maria. Replace you and I with I: I am going to the basketball game with Maria. Now replace you and I with me: Me am going to the basketball game with Maria. * The third sentence in the examples above is not grammatically correct; therefore, you and I* will work better in this sentence than you and me will.	Definitions Preposition A part of speech that connects a noun or pronoun to another word in a sentence. Examples include with, across, by, from, about, between, etc. Object of a preposition A noun or pronoun that a preposition correlates to another word or phrase. Direct object A noun or noun clause identifying what or whom after a transitive verb (a verb that takes an object). Indirect object A noun or noun clause that assumes an intermediary role in the action being described in a sentence Subject The noun or noun substitute that a sentence is about; the “doer” of a specified action in a sentence. Definitions are adapted from Dictionary.com and Harbrace College Handbook, 13^th Edition.
Recommended Grammar Website of the Week by Kelli Trungale
Along with our website, we recommend the following site: The BBC World Service’s Learning English: Grammar and Vocabulary. This site provides useful information such as the definitions of idioms and words in the news, lessons in retro English, and lessons in differences between U.S. and British English.
Test Your Knowledge by Kelli Trungale
Test your understanding by choosing the correct phrase in each of the following sentences. 1. (You and me/You and I) are driving to the airport tomorrow. 2. Can Lisa go to Mark’s birthday party with (you and me/you and I)? 3. Between (you and me/you and I), it’s the cat and not the pollen that’s aggravating Jennifer’s allergies. 4. My brother is taking (you and me/you and I) to the movies on Sunday. 5. (You and me/You and I) need to focus on studying for the GRE. Answers 1. *You and I* are driving to the airport tomorrow. 2. Can Lisa go to Mark’s birthday party with *you and me? 3. Between you and me, it’s the cat and not the pollen that’s aggravating Jennifer’s allergies. 4. My brother is taking you and me* to the movies on Sunday. 5. *You and I* need to focus on studying for the GRE.
Grammatically Correct is a grammar tip of the week created by Academic Center Peer Writing Tutors at the University of Houston-Victoria in Victoria, Texas. Comments about this newsletter should be directed to Summer Leibensperger, leibenspergers@uhv.edu. Subscribe/Unsubscribe/View Archive