I versus ME - Using the Correct Pronoun

One of my little pet peeves is the misuse of I and me when used with another noun. Let me give you an example:

 Barbara wants to ride to the lake with you and me. 

(Me is the correct word to use in this sentence.)

So many people, even newscasters and other professional people would have said, "Barbara wants to ride to the lake with you and I." Many, many people use "I" when they're not sure if they should use me or I. I think that they think the word "I" seems more formal or professional than "me," so if they're uncertain, they choose "I." As time passes, they get used to using the incorrect "I" and they don't even think about it any more. As these professionals use the wrong word more and more, we get used to hearing the wrong word. This misuse of I and me has become so widespread, that I actually SMILE when somebody gets it right! 

"I just hope Barbara brought some bread crumbs!"

We all probably memorized the grammar rules about these pronouns when we were young, but many (o.k., most) of us have forgotten those rules. (By the way, I and me are pronouns.... they take the place of a noun.) We depend on using the word that we are used to hearing, not necessarily the correct word. Luckily, there is an easy way to keep the pronouns I and me straight. 

"I'm confused, do I want a treat or does ME want a treat?"
"Neither! WE BOTH want a treat!"

First, for those of us who have forgotten the rules, here they are:
(You can skip this section if you wish....)

• You should use the pronoun I, along with other subjective pronouns such as we, he, she, you, and they, when the pronoun is the subject of a verb:

Sam and I went hiking.

• Use the pronoun me, along with other objective pronouns such as us, him, her, you, and them, when the pronoun is the object of a verb:

The ducks followed John and me to the bench.

• Use the pronoun me, along with other objective pronouns such as us, him, her, you, and them, when the pronoun is the object of a preposition:
  

Lynn spent the day with Charlie and me. 

                                                                     
......
Well, did this trigger a memory? Luckily, you don't have to remember these rules when you are trying to choose which pronoun is correct. There is an easy CHEAT you can use instead! (I learned this easy trick from a wonderful English teacher, and I use it often.)

The easiest way to make sure you pick the right pronoun is to simply drop the extra noun. 

For example:

I versus ME

Choice 1:    Barbara and I went for a stroll.    Choice 2:     Barbara and me went for a stroll.

     

 Choice 1:    (Barbara and) I went for a stroll.      Choice 2:     (Barbara and) Me went for a stroll.

 

   Choice 1:              I went for a stroll.                   Choice 2:          Me went for a stroll.             

Hmmm. You would use "I" in this sentence.

Let's try another set to see how well it quirks this time. 

The ducks followed Lynn and I. 

The ducks followed Lynn and me.

The ducks followed (Lynn and) I.

 The ducks followed ( Lynn and) me.

The ducks followed I.

 The ducks followed me.

This time, you would use "me" in this sentence.

So,  we'll try one more,  just to get the hang of this technique. 

Ben spent the day with Barb and I. 

Ben spent the day with Barb and me.

Ben spent the day with (Barb and) I. 

Ben spent the day with (Barb and) me.

Ben spent the day with I.

Ben spent the day with me.

Wow! You would use "me" in this sentence too!

When you drop the extra noun, you can easily pick the right pronoun for the sentence. It's so easy, I wonder why this is even an issue!

Now,  if I could just find easy fixes for all these other grammatical rules in our wonderfully complex English language.  

"Thank you for spending the day with my friends and me.
Ya'll come back soon! And bring more treats!"