LateComer, I believe this is called the “narrative present.” It’s supposed to add a sense of immediacy to the account, but it’s desperately overused. The idea is that YOU ARE THERE. Agghh!
I believe this is how it goes.
You are using the correct word if the
other person can be removed and the word makes sense. for example, “Moe and I are going to the mall.” : “I am going to the mall.”
and it would be correct to say “leave dave and me alone!” : “leave me alone!”
i dunno, really. but isn’t that what this
discuccion group is all about?
what is essential is invisible to the eye -the fox
But I feel like a snot if I use all four periods…
Don’t forget to sace them properly. Otherwise . . . .
The best lack all conviction
The worst are full of passionate intensity.
*
Thanks for some good insights.
My question seemed to touch a nerve with some people (“KenP, why is that important to you? As long as the message gets across I think regional grammar use is excuseable.”). I didn’t intend to preach; I’m just interested in how language varies from place to place.
I’m a linguistics major and I know all about how descriptive grammar is the most important thing and how silly rules are not as important as the way people actually speak.
BUT.
“She was speaking to Bob and I”?
Claws on a chalkboard. I’m sorry.
BTW: A common feature of Quebec English is the construction “Me, I…”: using an extra expletive “me” at the beginning of the sentence. It precisely parallels the “Moi, je…” construction of Québécois French.