When is myself used instead of me?

To answer that and other questions about using I, me, and myself, review the following five rules:

1. Use I as the subject of a verb,
   Example:
   Louie and I submitted two reports yesterday.
    
2. Use I after than in comparisons or with understood verbs.
   Example:
   She is a faster typist than I. (am)
    
3. Use me as the object of a verb.
   Example:
   He called the manager and me yesterday.
    
4. Use me after a preposition.
   Example:
   Mr. Thomas assigned the project to John and me.
   
   GRAMMAR TIP: A simple test may help you decide which pronoun form to use. You would say, "Mr. Thomas assigned the project to John; Mr. Thomas assigned the project to me." Therefore, you would say, "Mr. Thomas assigned the project to John and me."   
   
   NOTE: He, she, we, and they follow the rules for I. But him, her, us, and them follow the rules for me.
    
5. Use myself only intensively (I, myself, shall do it.) or reflexively (I blame only myself.).
   Not: He and myself were there.
   But: He and I were there.
   
   Not: Please return the signed contract to Susan Miller or myself.
   But: Please return the signed contract to Susan Miller or me

Next week we'll explain when to use who or whom.

To comment on this topic, visit our Business Writing Tips Forum.

This edition was adapted from our Business Grammar Program.

Previous editions may be read at http://www.uliveandlearn.com/newsletters/index.cfm.
 

To receive this free weekly newsletter via e-mail, go to http://www.uliveandlearn.com/userjoin.cfm and select the newsletter option.