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Twistedthistle Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
compound subject: position of "I"
Hi everyone,
This is a bit of a weird one. We all know that in a compound subject, "I" follows, not precedes, any other noun: i.e. "My father and I played..." not "I and my father played..."
My question is, does anyone know the name of this rule? Or any grammar book in which it is cited? For the life of me I can't find any concrete reference to it and thus no reason for it apart from..."umm, it just sounds weird..."
Thanks in advance
TT
This is a bit of a weird one. We all know that in a compound subject, "I" follows, not precedes, any other noun: i.e. "My father and I played..." not "I and my father played..."
My question is, does anyone know the name of this rule? Or any grammar book in which it is cited? For the life of me I can't find any concrete reference to it and thus no reason for it apart from..."umm, it just sounds weird..."
Thanks in advance
TT
Top answer
It's not a rule of grammar. It's just a convention of politeness. Putting yourself first makes it seem that you think you are more important than the other person.
- It's not a rule of grammar.
- It's just a convention of politeness.
- Putting yourself first makes it seem that you think you are more important than the other person.
- There can be cases where this is not necessary.
- eg I and Tom are responsible for the error .
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4 Answers
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It's not a rule of grammar. It's just a convention of politeness.
Putting yourself first makes it seem that you think you are more important than the other person.
There can be cases where this is not necessary.
eg I and Tom are responsible fo
Putting yourself first makes it seem that you think you are more important than the other person.
There can be cases where this is not necessary.
eg I and Tom are responsible fo
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CliveIt's just a convention of politeness.I hear this a lot, but I disagree. I don’t find I and my father… impolite, just very unnatural.
Putting yourself first makes it seem that you think you are more important than the other person.
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I was speaking very broadly.
A great deal depends on the actual context, and on factors such as whether the person being spoken of is actually present to hear the conversation.
Clive
A great deal depends on the actual context, and on factors such as whether the person being spoken of is actually present to hear the conversation.
Clive
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Thank'ee Clive and Aspara Gus for your answers! Very helpful.
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