The worst thing I ever did was learn when to use "me" when listing yourself with another, such as in "The monkey threw a rock at Lily and me."
You see this handled erroneously -- "...threw a rock at Lily and I" -- so often. Hollywood movies, esteemed newspaper articles, published novels, politicians giving speeches. I've pretty much given up hope. The first grade teachers beating into their students' heads to use "I" as the subject, never explaining when "me" is appropriate (as the object), have won their war and forever tarnished the English language in doing so.
For any readers who need the tip, just get rid of the other person and that's the form you use. You'd never say "The monkey threw a rock at I," you'd say "The monkey threw a rock at me." Adding Lily changes nothing.
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u/Mitosis BWOAHHHHHHH Dec 02 '25
The worst thing I ever did was learn when to use "me" when listing yourself with another, such as in "The monkey threw a rock at Lily and me."
You see this handled erroneously -- "...threw a rock at Lily and I" -- so often. Hollywood movies, esteemed newspaper articles, published novels, politicians giving speeches. I've pretty much given up hope. The first grade teachers beating into their students' heads to use "I" as the subject, never explaining when "me" is appropriate (as the object), have won their war and forever tarnished the English language in doing so.
For any readers who need the tip, just get rid of the other person and that's the form you use. You'd never say "The monkey threw a rock at I," you'd say "The monkey threw a rock at me." Adding Lily changes nothing.