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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Me or myself after preposition

In the following sentences, is me or myself the correct word?

I hope that my idea continues to do much good for myself and others.
I hope that my idea continues to benefit myself and others.

I understand that if it said " I hope to do much good for myself/hope to benefit myself" that "myself" is correct, but these sentences confuse me because the "myself doesn't refer directly back to "I" but refers to "my idea". And "me" doesn't sound quite right in them. It seems the first one is "more" correct than the second one, at least?

Please help!!
  

Top answer

Well, all I can say is that 'myself' sounds better than 'me' in both of them. The reflexive pronouns also find use in emphasis, and I suppose that is why these sound OK.

— Mister Micawber

  • Well, all I can say is that 'myself' sounds better than 'me' in both of them.
  • The reflexive pronouns also find use in emphasis, and I suppose that is why these sound OK.
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12 Answers
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Well, all I can say is that 'myself' sounds better than 'me' in both of them. The reflexive pronouns also find use in emphasis, and I suppose that is why these sound OK.
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How would you feel if it were "your ideas" instead of "my ideas"?
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Thank you, but even though I agree they sound better I wonder about this:

I hope my pants look good on me (not on myself).
I hope my health regime benefits me (not myself).

Maybe it just seemed OK because the sentence subject was I.

I can't find a definitive answer on the web and the only other person who answered this just asked me a question. I'm on a deadline -
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Truthfully, I could argue either way. If you think of your ideas of an extension of yourself, as your agent, then you could say that they benefit you reflexively.

However, I don't think anyone could argue that "me" is correct no matter what.

(Have you ever been to Blobfest?)
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I see you like to ask questions - here's one for you. How did you know I lived near the Blobfest if the post is anonymous?
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I apologize if my attempt to be friendly offended you.
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I'm not offended - I'm very curious. How could youknow this if the post is anonymous?
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I apologize. As a moderator I can see a bit more info, but I forgot it wasn't visible to others. Head down 113 until it bangs into the school with the cool play structure, turn right, and you'll be heading toward me.

I've always wanted to go to Blobfest. Maybe next year.
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I think it should be "me" in both cases. "Myself" is a reflexive pronoun, and a reflexive pronoun is used when the object is the same person as the subject. In this case the subject is "idea," not "I."

Examples:

You should pamper yourself a little.

I treated myself to a chocolate bar.
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