Here is a usage mistake that I hear quite frequently:
Be sure to let Jeff or I know.
Talk to Bob or I if you have any questions.
Maybe you’ve heard this too.
If you take Bob and Jeff out, these sentences sound really odd.
Be sure to let I know.
Talk to I if you have any questions.
Most of us wouldn’t think of talking this way. When we take the extra person out, it’s pretty obvious that we should say Be sure to let me know or Talk to me if you have any questions.
For some reason, when we add the second person, we get confused and think we have to use I rather than me. Don’t do that!
Things happen to me, so things happen to you and me. Things also happen to Bob and me.
Talk to Bob and me.
I know you will help Bob and me.
I hope you can visit Bob and me.
When you are unsure whether to use I or me in a compound object, take out the other person and see which sounds better. Here are two sentences. Which is correct?
Mr. Smith talked to Dad and I.
Mr. Smith talked to Dad and me.
To find out which it correct, take out Dad.
Mr. Smith talked to I.
Mr. Smith talked to me.
Which sounds better? Mr. Smith talked to me.
So now you know which pronoun to use with Dad.
Mr. Smith talked to Dad and me.
A compound object with a pronoun can be tricky. Try the sentence first without the other person so you can figure out which pronoun to use – I or me.