»
Main Forums
»
English Workshop
»
Is is 'It's me.' or 'It is I.'?
| English Workshop |
|
Is is 'It's me.' or 'It is I.'? |
|
|
Brad Member Ascendant
since 1999-08-20
Posts 5705Jejudo, South Korea |
I'm curious what people think here. I've actually heard arguments in both directions (although I think I'm right on this one.) I also have a social reason to explain the prevalence of the other. So, What does everyone else think? Brad |
||
| © Copyright 2000 Brad - All Rights Reserved | |||
|
Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Easy beans... and you know I'm a real wench about this stuff..  "It is I" is the correct usage in formal writing... The predicate nominative is in the nominative case. Widespread improper use of "It's me" in conversation has made its use an acceptable colloquialism, but it shouldn't (using a contraction here) be used in formal writing.  |
||
|
Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
LOL I knew the correct answer, but didn't know why. Thanks for the explanation Nan......... running for dictionary....  |
||
|
Brad Member Ascendant
since 1999-08-20
Posts 5705Jejudo, South Korea |
Ahhhhh, Nan, I knew you knew and Munda you understand (when are you going to start teaching me Dutch -- I'm not joking here. I may have to learn how to read Dutch for my dissertation -- it's a long story  ) But why the prevalence of the incorrect? Any ideas?I love this stuff, Brad |
||
|
Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
What is formal writing? |
||
|
Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
Uhhhhhh.....awaiting more replies, so I may say, "I knew that ! " Brad any idea what you will get yourself into ? An English speaking person tried to explain to me how that feels and sounds....."it feels as if I'm trying to choke myself on purpose and it sounds like you all have a severe cold, coughing all the time." |
||
|
Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
When I was 15, I met that "First Love" that no one ever forgets. Brigitte Maria Sabrina Kita Kosterchevski. Bridget's family had moved to the US from the Netherlands when she was nine, and they all spoke Dutch within the confines of the home. I found several books in the local library and studied with the fervor of young love. Within a month of our "friendship" (which lasted well after both of us later married others), I was sitting and waiting for her to dress and picked up a paperback in Dutch. When Kita walked down the staircase and discovered me, she laughed and teasingly asked me if I was enjoying the book. I floundered, stuttered, and shyly admitted I could only understand bits and pieces. "Besides," I said, "Cook books are pretty boring." Turns out I had the last laugh. Kita spoke her native language flawlessly, but she still read it as would a nine-year-old. She thought it was a mystery novel until forced to take a closer look. That's been a few lifetimes ago, and I've retained not a bit of what I learned. Except I do remember Dutch wasn't that tough to read (I never tried to speak it). Certainly, it was more "logical" in its construction than was English. And, coming from the lips of young Kita, it was very sexy and euphonic! |
||
|
Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
LOL Ron ! I've heard that one before ! Gee, what is it with you native English speaking men that make (or is that makes ?) you find this Dutch accent so very sexy ! Now don't you all start phoning me ! |
||
|
Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
Is it "me" drinking tea ? Is it "I" that shall die ? And is it come to "me" ? You and "I" maybe ? Why the prevalence of the incorrect ? I dunno, cuz it's easy ya know ! (Sorry, trying to learn slang these days  )Honestly, I do believe it is because we are lazy, but if there are other reasons I would like to find out what they are. Brad, since I'm here, how about some Dutch ? |
||
|
Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
It is "I" drinking tea.... (coffee's better) ... Turn it around to read "I am drinking tea" and it'll make more sense. It is "I" "WHO" shall die.... (hopefully not too soon)... It's definitely "Come to ME"... yep.. and "You and I may be"... Test yourself by saying the sentence without the "You and".... Just say "I may be"... You know that "ME may be" is incorrect, right??? You can use that little trick on just about any of these little ditties... [This message has been edited by Nan (edited 03-15-2000).] |
||
|
jbouder Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash |
All this makes perfect sense to I ... er ... me ... ummm ... me understand this ... DRATS! ... me mean ... rrrrrr ... I mean me understand ... me mean I understand ... ARGHHHHH!!! This was always so much easier to I ... er ... me before this was explained to me ... um ... yeah, me. |
||
|
Brad Member Ascendant
since 1999-08-20
Posts 5705Jejudo, South Korea |
Okay, (except for Jim) it all seems pretty clear. But why the more common "It's me". I think it has to do with the egalitarian nature of American culture. To say, "It is I" sounds poetic, sounds 'uppity'. People avoid it for this reason. Munda, Can we hold on the Dutch lessons for a moment? I am serious about it but, honest to God, I don't have the time to do it seriously at the moment. Of course, if you want to start sending me general phrases with a basic pronunciation manual, I'm up for it. Thanks, Brad PS I'll never forget the Dutch man who I got my diving license with in Thailand. He had a dolphin shaved into his newest haircut. Are going to extremes part of Dutch culture or was he an exception? |
||
|
Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Munda Are you gonna let these guys pick on you like this? You need some help here?.. I'll call in Charlie's Angels for ya.. |
||
|
Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
Thank you for the explanation Nan. : ) Jim, making fun at me huh ???? Wait until I have finished my epics and let's see if you still laugh.....up to 10 pages now, he he he....pulling your hair already ? Brad, consider yourself lucky to have seen some real Amsterdam art. As for your Dutch lessons....I'll see what I can do, but it will have to wait a bit. I want to finish my epics first and you wouldn't want me to disappoint Jim, now would you ? |
||
|
Brad Member Ascendant
since 1999-08-20
Posts 5705Jejudo, South Korea |
Munda, Not in a thousand years would I want to disappoint Jim. You see, in certain circles, he is known as the Grand Inquisitor (which means he has all the torture devices). I am merely the High Priest (which means I merely tell you what our deity means regardless of what he actually said). Gee, I'll give you one guess to name who the deity is? (starts with 'T') Wanna join up? Brad |
||
|
jbouder Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash |
Munda: That's right. Me the High Inquisitor and Brad and me serve the deity whose name begins with "T" but me will not name him now(the name is known to I but me would hate to ruin the guessing game the High Priest has initiated). The epic, by the way, is about to kill I. Me have to go study for a licensing exam now because me not want to fail the test. Later. Jim |
||
|
Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Jim - what are you doing over here in the wrong classroom??.. Just came to harass the teacher over here too? Is that your act?.. Is your homework done, young man??? |
||
|
jbouder Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash |
Ummm ... no, ma'am. *Jim goes to stand in the corner* |
||
|
Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
Brad ! Jim ! T.! What are you guys doing ? Turning C.A. into a Role Playing game ? Can I be the Bard ???? Please, please, please ? I always wanted to be one.....or should I say Bardess ? Oops better run over to Chris' topic now.....I made a new word ! |
||
|
Justin Nuendo Member
since 2000-02-05
Posts 86Ozzz |
Ya better watch it Jim boy ! Before ya know it ya got Miss Behavin' come after ya ! he he |
||
|
Brad Member Ascendant
since 1999-08-20
Posts 5705Jejudo, South Korea |
Ahhhhh, the world is just beginning for you. "T" will come soon. I gaurantee it (really, I'll ask). Anyway, what's your favorite beer? Oh, sorry, I forgot you're not one of us quite yet. Brad |
||
|
jbouder Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash |
Munda: No role playing here ... T*****ism is for real. But we don't have a Bardess yet ... what do you say, oh great High Priest? We don't have anyone who can compose hymns to the Big T, so ... Justin Uendo: Tell Miss Behavin' to bring the brewskis. I'll take care of the rest. Jim |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
