Me, Myself, and I

Me, myself, and I are pronouns that are used in different ways. They are not substitutes for each other. Each pronoun has a specific purpose in the sentence. 

Me

Me is an objective pronoun. It is used as the object of the sentence meaning an action is being taken against it.

Examples:

  • She gave the gift to me. 
  • My mom told me to stop. 
  • My sister surprised Christine and me. 

Notice that actions are being directed at me. Me is not doing the action. 

Myself

Myself is a reflexive pronoun. It refers back to the subject or source of action. 

Examples:

  • I will simply do the job myself. 
  • I myself love to bake. 
  • I did my homework by myself. 

Notice myself does not take action. I is the subject and the source of action.

I

I is a subjective pronoun. It is the subject of the sentence and executes the action.

Examples:

  • I ran through the obstacle course. 
  • Meredith and I took the test. 
  • My friend and I walked around the block. 

Notice I is the subject of the sentence and is always taking action, even when I is not the only subject.

Comparisons

Examples:

  • My dog played with my friend and I. (Incorrect)
  • My dog played with my friend and myself. (Incorrect)
  • My dog played with my friend and me. (Correct)

Me is correct because it is the objective pronoun. 

If you can cover up the other person or object and have the sentence make sense, then you can usually determine whether to use me or I. 

You would not say “my dog played with I” because I is meant to be the subject.

You would not say “my dog played with myself” because myself is reflexive, and there is no I acting as the subject for myself to refer.

Examples:

  • I ordered me a sweet tea from Chick-fil-a. (Incorrect)
  • I ordered myself a sweet tea from Chick-fil-a. (Correct)

Myself is correct because it is referring back to the original subject I.

Me cannot be used because it is not a reflexive pronoun. It cannot refer back to I as myself can.

Examples:

  • Sam and me rode the bus. (Incorrect)
  • Sam and myself rode the bus. (Incorrect)
  • Sam and I rode the bus. (Correct)

I is the correct pronoun to use in this situation because I is the subject even though it is not alone.

You would not say “me rode the bus” because me is only used when it is the object of the sentence.

You would not say “myself rode the bus” because myself can only be used with it is needed to refer back to the subject I.