Why do people say "me, I? Example"me and my friend. It's "my friend and I"?

[Paul09]

In proper English, when you are telling a story, you should announce others before yourself. But everyone keeps saying " me and *persons name*". It's *persons name* and I. It sounds selfish the other way around too.

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

When you take the time to study language and grammar in both the sense of the modern “rules” alongside the history of the language itself, both are correct ways to introduce oneself and a group. The difference is “me and my friends” is older than “my friends and I” and so it’s more heavily ingrained in modern English. Truthfully, it doesn’t really matter in the long run. Language is a constantly shifting landscape where it was only a few generations ago that saying “Me and my friends was doing this thing and made to leave by they” was a perfectly correct grammatical sentence depending on what part of England you were in. The reason “rules” were instituted is a long and boring socioeconomic story that I think you wouldn’t want to hear. In essence, if it “sounds right” it usually is right lol

[Paul09]

Oh really? I had no idea. Either way, it doesn't sound right to me lol. I still think it's more respectful to announce yourself at the end. I don't think I can ever change my mind of that one. I just tolerate it more.

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

Honestly, you’ll need to learn to tolerate all of it. Who knows what new vernaculars will take over modern speech in just a few decades? It’ll be a fun ride lol

[EmmaMary]

@Paul09

You are of absolutely right, and it irritates me no end as well... It's probably due to the appalling education systems in schools and colleges not teaching the correct English language.

[Paul09]

Okay good, I'm not the only one. And you are probably right.

[EmmaMary]

Thank you for the MHO.

[OneViewpoint]

Not sure about Canuckistan but here in the Fascist States Of America, written and spoken English is something 90% of the population sucks at. I assume they never learned and/or their family and friends speak that way so people just subconsciously pick up the "dialect" of whatever culture they find themselves immersed in.

Like, ya know what I mean? Like it's annoying. Ya know what I mean? Me and my friend Vinnie don't do that. Like, ya know what I mean?

5...4...3...2...1 Aaarrrggghhh!!!

[ProbablyClueless]

Sloppy grammar knowledge, mostly. But there are also times when "me and my friend" would be correct.

"Me" is used when the person is the direct object of the sentence, as opposed to the subject doing the action. The way I remember it is that I do things, but things happen to me.

"The shopkeeper handed me and Steve the groceries" versus "my friend and I went to the store."

[Paul09]

Yeah that's better sounding.

[Anonymous]

It depends on the context. The best rule of thumb is to remove the friend and see if it sounds right.

"It was just my friend and me" is correct. "It was just I" is not correct.

"My friend and I were the only ones" is also correct. "Me was the only one" is not correct.

[Opinion Owner]

And you are right about the proper order.

[Paul09]

True, but I was talking about more of the presenting the people first then yourself. It just seems more proper and respectful. " My friends and I went to the party". Over "me and my friends went to a party".

[Opinion Owner]

I agree 100%.

[Twalli]

It's also sometimes *person's name* and me. Try it and find out if "me" or "I" makes more sense. Use that one.