Personally, I would go with the other one, but that's just me.

Question

Personally, I would go with the other one, but that's just me.

Does "but that's just me" mean that it's only my own personal opinion, and I'm not aware of, or care about others' opinions, thinking? Please guide me.

Sam1947 · Accepted Answer

This is casual usage and isn't technically correct, because the first person pronoun should be I, i.e., "...that's just I." But, to the ear of most Americans, at least, that would sound strange and stilted.

It does mean that it's your personal opinion, but doesn't really have any implication about whether or not you know, or care about, the opinions of others. You might very well know of them and/or care about them. This statement is neutral on those points.

Jackson6612 · Answer

Sam, thanks for the help.

sam1947This is casual usage and isn't technically correct, because the first person pronoun should be I, i.e., "...that's just I."

I understand your point. Though, it's not correct grammatically, it's still idiomatic as is "It wasn't me". It's wrong because "me" is first person pronoun used as an object but in constructions such as "It wasn't me", "me" has taken the role of a pronoun used as a subject which is wrong. Am I correct?

sam1947You might very well know of them and/or care about them.

"of them" - Would it be incorrect to use simply 'them' without 'of'. I don't think it's right. I think 'know them' is used when talking about people. What do you say on this?

Thanks a lot for all the guidance.

Jackson6612 · Answer

Help, please!

Sam1947 · Answer

Jackson6612Sam, thanks for the help.
sam1947This is casual usage and isn't technically correct, because the first person pronoun should be I, i.e., "...that's just I."
I understand your point. Though, it's not correct grammatically, it's still idiomatic as is "It wasn't me". It's wrong because "me" is first person pronoun used as an object but in constructions such as "It wasn't me", "me" has taken the role of a pronoun used as a subject which is wrong. Am I correct?

Yes, you are correct. Especially in spoken English, one seldom encounters the technically correct, "It wasn't I," and, that actually sounds a bit stilted to most people. But, it is still technically correct, so in an English exercise of correcting sentences, one should probably always go with the technically correct, or in formal writing (although one is not generally speaking in first person in formal writing, except perhaps in a business letter or cover letter for a resume or CV.)

sam1947You might very well know of them and/or care about them.
"of them" - Would it be incorrect to use simply 'them' without 'of'. I don't think it's right. I think 'know them' is used when talking about people. What do you say on this?Thanks a lot for all the guidance.

Your analysis is correct again.

Jackson6612 · Answer

Sam, thank you so much.

But sorry for asking another follow-on question.

sam1947although one is not generally speaking in first person in formal writing

Then, which 'person' is used in formal writing, if not the first one?

Sorry for another question. Which of the following two is correct?
1: But sorry for asking another follow-on question.
2: But sorry to ask another follow-on question.

Best wishes
Jack

Sam1947 · Answer

Generally, in writing essays, etc., one is writing factual sentences and not writing in the first person, e.g.,

Current trends in U.S. politics are revealing long repressed anger among certain segments of the electorate.

One would not be saying, "I am seeing in current trends etc.," unless one was writing an opinion column or something like that. There are situations where one does formal writing in the first person, but they are somewhat limited. When teachers assign essays, unless they specifically say it should be an opinion essay, first person usage is typically avoided.

The term is follow-up rather than follow on. And, in casual writing (as in this situation), you can just say, "Sorry for asking another follow-up question." The "but" isn't necessary, and "I am" is implied before the "sorry". Or, if you want to use a complete sentence, you can say, "I am sorry for asking...."

Jackson6612 · Answer

Thanks, Sam.

Is it technically incorrect: Sorry to ask another follow-up question? And does it convey the same meaning as "Sorry for asking..."?

Sam1947 · Answer

If it were a more formal situation, you would say, "I am sorry to ask another follow-up question," or, "I'm sorry for asking..."

Both are correct and both mean the same thing. In casual usage like this, starting with "sorry" is just fine, because the meaning is clear with I'm or I am implied.

Personally, I would go with the other one, but that's just me.

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