You and I vs. You and Me: Which is Accepted, and Which is Wrong?

Ever wondered which is correct? It’s really confusing to determine which to use between “you and I vs you and me”. Actually, it’s one of the most common writing mistakes.

“You and I” vs. “You and Me” — Knowing the Right Choice

silver framed eyeglasses on yellow surface showing the word

Which of the two is correct?

“You and I” are often used in discourses not just as the subject, but also as the object. However, both of them are acceptable depending on the usage.

“You and I” should be used as subjects in a sentence, while “you and me” for objects in the sentence.

A sentence uses the pronoun “I” rather than “me”. Put “you and me” in the subject position instead of “you and I”.

With full sentences, you are usually able to identify the subject as the performer of an action or the person who is being described.

Although it can be difficult to understand as to whether this is the subject or the object. By completing the thought, check the function of the phrase.

Once you have finished the thought, it becomes clear that you are referring to the subject, or the person.

Informal Communication

Care to know which is correct between you and i vs you and me? Oftentimes, in informal communications, “you and I” are referred to as the subject in a sentence. It is acceptable in informal usage, but not in formal use.

As the Subject of the Clause

Use “you and I” as the subject of a clause, even if the clause itself is the object of egress. Noun clauses can serve as direct object instances of verbs in sentences.

The verb “think” describes the entire clause “I think you and I should make a website together”. “You and I” are the subject of this clause.

An informal usage of “you and me” is acceptable instead of grammatically correct “you and I”.

Take “you and me” in place of “you and I” in a sentence.

As Grammatical Object

“You and me” is the grammatical object of both prepositions and verbs.

Use “you and me” instead of “you and I” in a sentence (as you would use “me” instead of “I”).

If Included in a Gerund Clause

Use you and me in sentences where a gerund clause is the object, not “you” and “I”.

This means that I and you should be used as subject and “you” and “me” as object. However, concordance is making “you” and “I” more common.

“You” and “I” are correct, but sometimes speakers use it incorrectly even in the object position in a sentence. (Concordance occurs when an attempt to be grammatically correct is unsuccessful).

The term pronoun is generally used after the be verb. “You” and “I” are preferred to each other except in formal ways.

Subject Complement

The use of object pronouns like me is equally common, although subject pronounces like I are strictly correct. Most English speakers may find this too strange and unnatural.

This means that “you” and “I” are more often presented as the subject complement. While the grammatically correct “you” and “me” are rarely used informally.

To Wrap Up

It is generally accepted that “you and I” is the correct usage, “you and me” is sometimes acceptable in informal communication. In certain cases, “you and me” is considered incorrect as the subject of a clause. It’s also the grammatical object or the complement to a gerund clause.

Pam is an expert grammarian with years of experience teaching English, writing and ESL Grammar courses at the university level. She is enamored with all things language and fascinated with how we use words to shape our world.

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