Dec 12 2007
Me, Myself and I
Feeling smart? Which sentence in each of the following pairs is correct?
1. Edward was appointed trustee for Hilda and myself.
2. Edward was appointed trustee for Hilda and me.
3. I did such a great job, I wanted to give me a pat on the back.
4. I did such a great job, I wanted to give myself a pat on the back.
5. Ruth and myself aren’t very fond of our boss.
6. Ruth and I aren’t very fond of our boss.
Before I tell you which three are correct, let’s talk about reflexive pronouns. In a nutshell, these are pronouns that reflect back to the noun mentioned earlier in the sentence. (Examples: I hurt myself. The cat licked itself. They perjured themselves.) FYI: Reflexive pronouns end in “-self” or “-selves.”
Many people mistakenly use reflexive pronouns even when they don’t reflect back to and mirror a noun previously mentioned in the sentence. In such cases, ordinary pronouns (the ones without the “-self” or “-selves”) should be used.
That said, sentences #1 and #5 are wrong because “myself” does not refer back to any form of “me.” Sentences #2 and #6 are correct because only a simple pronoun is required when this is the case. Sentence #3 is wrong because the “me” refers back to “I,” and should therefore be the reflexive pronoun “myself.” Sentence #4 is therefore correct.
So if you said sentences #2, #4 and #6 are correct, you were right. And if you already knew the rules behind all this confusion, you’re one in 100.
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