Me or I

Question

Is the variant "Both me and you" (not "Both I and you" acceptable in informal speech? I'm not interested in the place of these words in the sentence (of course, they depend on it :"It was given to me and you" etc.) One of the American video courses for foreign learners is called 'Me and my Family". It makes me think that it is possible as in this case:-Who is there?-It's Me (or Him, her, them etc.)

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

You are tackling several related but distinct problems all at the same time.

1. Depending how informal you want to be, you can use several different patterns after 'both', and you can't avoid talking about the place of these expressions within sentences.

a. 'both you and I' in subject position; 'both you and me' in other positions.

This is the standard "formal/informal" (i.e., all-purpose) version.

b. 'both I and you' in subject position; 'both me and you' in other positions.

This is non-standard and the next less formal version. I rarely hear the first one at all.

c. 'both you and me' or 'both me and you' in the subject position; or 'both you and I' or 'both I and you' in other positions.

This is the least formal, and though you hear them in very informal speech, mostly by less educated speakers, they won't be accepted in writing or in written exams.
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The same principles apply whether you include the word 'both' or not.

2. In titles, and informally, combinations like Me and My Family are accepted.

3. In the subject complement position, the object form (or "non-subject form") is preferred nowadays in all but the highest level of formality.

"Normal": It's me. / That's him. / It's us. / That was them.
Very formal: It is he and I who wish an audience with the king.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

olive bee"Both me and you"

Is common in informal language use.

Me or I

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