Grammar Girl: I vs Me

This is a big one. Wait for it. I verses me.

This happens to be one of the biggest grammar pet peeves of mine. It must be that my hearing is especially tuned to this particular rule.

So let us clear up this one once and for all (hopefully).

The pronoun I is a subjective pronoun and is to be used as the subject of a verb. Other subjective pronouns are he, she, we, you, and they.

Paul and I made the cutest baby in the universe. (subject of the verb)

Ice cream and I have a special relationship. (subject of the verb)

The pronoun me is an objective pronoun that is to be used as either the object of a verb or the object of a preposition. Other objective pronouns are him, her, us, you, and them. 

Emma sprayed Paul and me by sneezing in our faces. (object of the verb)

Emma went to Costco with Paul and me and wanted to buy a new flatscreen. (object of the preposition)

This is not optional my friends. 

Have a grammatically correct day!

Write on!

Grammar Girl: The Oxford Comma

Comma, comma, comma, comma, comma chameleon.

(Hehehe. My name is Samantha and I laugh at my own jokes. Please don’t leave me.)

Welcome to my first official Grammar Girl post. I hope you all have a grammatically correct day! 

The Oxford Comma (otherwise known as the serial comma) is placed before a coordinating conjunction in a series of three or more terms.

In ‘Merica, the flag is red, white, and blue.

I love having bread, wine, and cheese every single day of my life. Yum!

There is some debate of its necessity, but most American English style guides recommend its usage. And I vehemently agree. All hail the Oxford Comma!

Write on!

Grammar Girl: An Introduction

Ever since I purchased my first copy of The Elements of Style by Strunk and White, I have been obsessed with grammar. (If you have never heard of it, then you need to go get one right now. Get both an old edition and a new edition. I promise you, it’s life changing. Or you will get stuck in a downward spiral and have a panic attack every time someone does not use an Oxford comma like I do.)

I am quite the grammar enthusiast (read, tyrant) and while I have been known to make up words for my blog posts, I do try to pay attention to my writing style. Therefore, I have decided to start a new series to share my obsession with you. I will be giving tips, tidbits, pointers, and all-around fun facts for all your grammar needs. If you do not have any grammar needs, then stop by for, what I am sure will be, many crazy adorations of the written word and rants about proper punctuation.

(photo credit: my dear friend, Natalie)

I will be doing my first Grammar Girl post soon, so stay tuned!

Have a wonderful Thursday.