Using Me and My

REMEMBER:

GREEN for RIGHT
RED for WRONG

Joe Dolan (1939 – 2007) from Mullingar in Co.Westmeath, was one of Ireland’s most popular singers. He had a string of hits including You’re Such a Good Looking Woman, which was released in 1970. A line from the song reads: Oh me oh my you make me sigh. Now, once again, we’ll ignore the lack of punctuation marks, because the artist rules the world! Maybe the people who make this mistake regularly have this song playing around in their minds as they go about their daily business. I’m not blaming Joe, mind you, but if the line went: Oh my oh me you make me see would we have the same problem today with the misuse of me?

WHY IS THERE A PROBLEM?

There is a tendency to say:

I lost me money.

instead of

I lost my money.

EXPLANATION of RULE:

Both me & my are PRONOUNS.

me is a PERSONAL PRONOUN in the OBJECTIVE CASE / FORM while my is a PERSONAL PRONOUN in the POSSESSIVE CASE

my – incidentally – can also be classified as a POSSESSIVE ( BELONGING ) ADJECTIVE, but for the purpose of this rule infringement, we’ll refer to it as a POSSESSIVE PRONOUN

So, the problem arises because the wrong form of the PRONOUN is being used when indicating possession / ownership / belonging. It could well be down to the current preoccupation of everything in the world revolving around me!

As the problem doesn’t arise when me is used properly in its OBJECTIVE CASE, I will concentrate on its incorrect use as a PERSONAL PRONOUN in the POSSESSIVE CASE.

USAGE:

I’m going on holiday with me friend.
I’m going on holiday with my friend.

I have to buy a birthday present for me cousin.
I have to buy a birthday present for my cousin.

Me mother is late.
My mother is late.

I must bring me nieces and nephews to the airport.
I must bring my nieces and nephews to the airport.

Bring me me supper please.
Bring me my supper please.

QUICK REVISION:

LIST OF PERSONAL PRONOUNS & THEIR CASES or FORMS

SUBJECTIVE = The PRONOUN ran away.

OBJECTIVE = The PRONOUN tells us whom Denis saw.

POSSESSIVE = The PRONOUN indicates whose friends came.

TEST:

Use the correct form of the PRONOUNS me / my in the following sentences:

1. ____________uncle is coming home from England for Christmas.
2. ____________brother showed _________ the letter.
3. Can I have _________ ball back please?
4. The dog chased __________ down the road.
5. She bit ___________ leg.
6. He was delighted when I told him _________ good news.
7. ________mam gave ________ ________ breakfast in bed.
8. _______leg was sore after the fall.
9. _______dreams were shattered.
10. Please give it back to ________.
11. _______pen is lost.
12. _______shoe is missing.
13. _______teacher is absent.
14. _______flight was cancelled.
15. _______bike was damaged.
16. _______aunt has gone to England.
17. _______dog is a terrier.
18. _______computer is broken.
19. _______car is in the garage.
20. _______money is in the post office.
21. _______favourite song is _______ Heart Will Go On. (Celine Dion)
22. ___dad’s favourite song is Don’t Go Breaking ___Heart. (Elton John/Kiki Dee)
23. _______mam’s favourite song is Take ____Breath Away. (Berlin )
24. _____sister’s favourite song is The Wind Beneath ____Wings. (Bette Midler)
25. ___nan’s favourite song is Raindrops Keep Falling On __Head. (B.J.Thomas)
26. _______uncle’s favourite song is _____Favourite Things. (Julie Andrews)
27. _______brother’s favourite song is Make You Feel ____Love. (Adele)
28. _______cousin’s favourite song is What’s ____Name? (Rihanna)
29. ___grandad’s favourite song is A Little Help From ___Friends. (The Beatles)
30. _______aunt’s favourite song is _____Way. (Frank Sinatra)

ANSWERS:

1. My 2. My / me 3. my 4. me 5. my 6. my 7. My / me / my 8. My 9. My
10. me 11. to 20. My 21. to 30. My / My

KEY ELEMENT OF LESSON:

When referring to owning, belonging or possession, the POSSESSIVE CASE of the PRONOUN must be used before the NOUN and not the OBJECTIVE CASE.

DON’T FORGET:

I lost my money.

TEXTING TIP:

Think of OMG (or O.M.G.) if unsure. Need I say anymore?