Weekly GrammarTip

Me-o-My-o

We know, we know. GrammarTip harps on the use of pronouns too much. But the trouble is, we keep hearing people who should know better - newscasters, politicians, celebrities - butchering them to a fare-thee-well. We ran today's tips months ago, but people keep making the same mistakes. So until the world gets it, we'll keep at it, hoping that someday all three of us--me, myself, and I--can live in pronoun peace.

IS IT I or IS IT ME: Linking up.

Guideline. Favor the subjective case form for pronouns that follow linking verbs, but don't force the issue in conversation.

• It was they who initiated the idea of holding the water ski tournament in Alberta next year. (They is in the subjective case because it follows the linking verb was.)
• It is we who must take the responsibility for the injuries we suffered when we jumped off Frye's Leap. (We is in the subjective case because it follows the linking verb is.)
  But:
• If anyone can vouch for Talullah's dependability, it's me. (I is technically correct, but me is the natural choice in conversation and is considered acceptable in all but the most formal writing situations.)

MYSELF or ME. Beware of self-indulgence.

Guideline. Confine your use of pronouns ending in -self to those situations in which the -self forms are appropriate. Don't fall victim to the misguided assumption that "myself" is a more elegant way of saying "I" or "me."

• Sassafras and I would love to judge this year's slam-dunk contest. (There is no need for myself; I is the proper choice.)
• We would like to invite Mortimer and you to travel with us next spring to Two Egg. (There is no need for yourself; you is the proper choice.)
• Q: How are you? A: Fine, and you? (NEVER answer "Fine, and yourself?" It is less than substandard English. It is like answering, "Fine, and how is yourself?" And that sounds flakey.)

A closer look. There are two legitimate uses of pronouns that end in -self. One is for emphasis. The other is with reflexive verbs.

Emphasis

• I myself will be driving the towboat for the slalom competition. (Following I with myself emphasizes that the speaker intends to take full responsibility for the driving.)
• Matilda herself will write the acceptance speech. (No speechwriters need apply for the job.)

Reflexive Verbs

• The children amused themselves by barefoot skiing and by skiing backwards. (Themselves is the object of amused [a reflexive verb] and refers back to children.)
• Lucius has a habit of causing injury to himself whenever he starts skiing from the beach. (Himself is the object of the preposition to, and refers back to Lucius.)
• I nearly killed myself when I hit the wake at 75 mph. (Myself is the object of the verb killed and refers back to I.)

Possible exception:

• As for myself, the plans for the airplane trip are still up in the air. (Me is probably the better choice, but myself could be defended on the grounds that the writer or speaker wants to emphasize the first-person pronoun and has elected to omit me.)

Partial source: Grammar for Smart People by Barry Tarshis.

 

Word Challenge

A Tasteful Tribute to the Donner Party

On this day in 1847, the first member of the Donner Party (so to speak) died near Lake Tahoe in California. Turns out that the party treats were not very tasty after all. Slice your way through today's vocabulary list. Try to finish well before lunchtime.

1. epicure: (a) a remedy for all food ills; (b) one who expresses a reasoned opinion involving a judgment of food; (c) one with sensitive and discriminating tastes especially in food or wine; (d) a menu extending beyond the usual or ordinary especially in size or scope.

2. hasenpfeffer: a highly seasoned stew made of marinated (a) rabbit meat; (b) bear meat; (c) elk meat; (d) venison.

3. cannelloni: (a) a dish in which food may be baked and served; (b) boiled tube-shaped or rolled pasta filled with a meat, fish, cheese, or vegetable mixture and baked in a sauce; (c) pasta in the form of little cases of dough containing a savory filling (as of meat or cheese); (d) Enzo C., the greatest mayor in the history of Chelsea, Massachusetts.

4. garde-manger: (a) a cook who specializes in the preparation of cold foods (as meats, fish, and salads); (b) a food storage bin; (c) bounty; (d) a connoisseur in food and drink.

5. baron: (a) a meat locker kept just above freezing; (b) a weapon resembling a knife; (c) a joint of meat consisting of two sirloins or loins and legs not cut apart at the backbone; (d) a device for taking game or other animals.

6. hors d'oeuvre (etymology): (a) before the dinner; (b) small plate of eggs; (c) horse of the house; (d) outside of the work.

7. nausea (etymology): (a) sailor; (b) stupid; (c) to yield; (d) to cause to twist.

8. blanquette: (a) a large usually oblong piece of woven fabric used as a bed covering; (b) a stew of light meat or seafood in a white sauce; (c) the hide or pelt of a game or domestic animal; (d) a legal defense based on self-preservation.

9. repast: (a) a respite; (b) a period of growth; (c) dessert; (d) a meal.

10. entremets: (a) implements for cutting and eating food; (b) dishes served in addition to the main course of a meal; (c) a complete or permanent solution or remedy; (d) ingredients (as condiments, spices, or herbs) added to food primarily for the savor that they impart.

 

Click here for the answers!