“My Family And Me” Or “My Family And I?” Which is Correct?

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One frequently asked grammar question is whether or not it’s acceptable to say “my family and I” or “my family and me.” These are both correct phrases.

The pronoun changes depending on whether it’s the subject or object of a sentence.

We can use “my family and me” in a sentence as the subject, just like you would say “my friends and me” or “my wife and me.” For example, you may say, “The taxi driver gave my family and me a ride to the airport.”

“My family and I” is the subject of a sentence. For example, you may say, “My family and I are having guests tonight.”

These phrases are good examples of what even native English speakers sometimes mix up. They often don’t know this rule and prefer to say “my family and I” for everything.

For more grammatically correct sentences with “my family and me” and “my family and I” keep reading!

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“My Family and I” Meaning and Example Sentences

As we just learned, “my family and I” is the correct phrase to use when it’s the subject of a sentence or question.

Remember, the subject of a sentence is the noun or pronoun that is doing the verb. In other words, it’s the actor in the sentence. For example,

Sentence: My family and I are going on vacation.

Subject: My family and I

Verb: are going

The subject of this sentence is “my family and I.” We can see this because the pronoun “I” is doing the verb “are going.”

If we wanted to make the phrase “my family and me” the subject, we would have to say something like “My family and me are going on vacation,” which doesn’t sound natural in English.

Let’s make this as simple as possible by breaking the sentence into parts.

“My family is going on vacation.” This is grammatically correct.

“I am going on vacation.” This is grammatically correct.

“Me is going on vacation.” This is grammatically incorrect.

Therefore, “my family and I are going on vacation” is the correct way of saying this sentence.

“My Family and I” Example Sentences

Here are some more examples of sentences where “my family and I” is the subject.

  • My family and I will be moving to a new house next month.
  • I’m so excited that my family and I get to go on vacation together.
  • Do you want to come over for dinner tonight? My family and I would love to have you.
  • My family and I went to the movies.
  • My family and I are going out to eat.
  • My family and I are going shopping.
  • My family and I stayed home today.
  • I’m so happy that my family and I were able to spend the day together.
  • I can’t believe that my family and I won the lottery!
  • I hope my family and I can see you soon.

“My Family and Me” Meaning and Example Sentences

Now that we know “my family and I” is the subject of a sentence, “my family and me” must be the object, right?

The object of a sentence is the noun or pronoun that is being acted upon by the verb. In other words, it’s the receiver of the action in the sentence. For example,

Sentence: The teacher called my family and me.

Subject: The teacher

Verb: called

Object: my family and me

The object of this sentence is “my family and me.” We can see this because the pronoun “me” is receiving the verb “called.”

If we wanted to make the phrase “my family and I” the object, we would have to say something like “The teacher called my family and I,” which again doesn’t sound natural in English.

Let’s make this as simple as possible by breaking the sentence into parts.

“The teacher called my family.” This is grammatically correct.

“The teacher called me.” This is grammatically correct.

“The teacher called I.” This is grammatically incorrect.

Therefore, “the teacher called my family and me” is the correct way of saying this sentence.

“My Family and Me” Example Sentences

Here are some more examples of sentences where “my family and me” is the object.

  • Thank you for inviting my family and me over for dinner.
  • The teacher is going to talk to my family and me after school today.
  • Did you see my family and me at the game last night?
  • My boss wants to meet with my family and me.
  • Please send my family and me a postcard from Paris.
  • This is a picture of my family and me.
  • Do you want to join my family and me for a picnic?
  • Thank you for including my family and me in your plans.
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In Conclusion

When deciding whether to use “my family and me” or “my family and I,” you need to look at the role of the phrase in the sentence.

If the phrase is the subject of the sentence, you should use “my family and I.”

If the phrase is the object of the sentence, you should use “my family and me.”

Remember, the subject is the noun or pronoun that is doing the verb, and the object is the noun or pronoun that is receiving the action of the verb.

I hope this clears things up for you! Try to make a grammatically correct sentence using the new information you know in the comments below!

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I'm an Irish tutor and founder of TPR Teaching. I started teaching in 2016 and have since taught in the UK, Spain, and online.

I love learning new things about the English language and how to teach it better. I'm always trying to improve my knowledge, so I can better meet the needs of others!

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5 thoughts on ““My Family And Me” Or “My Family And I?” Which is Correct?”

  1. I asked the question about “my family and I ” vs.” “My family and me”. In one of the Carshield commercials, “my family and I” is used, which I feel is incorrect. Turns out I am right. Should say “my family and me”.

    Reply
  2. I like the helpful info you provide for your articles. I will bookmark your blog and take a look at again here frequently. I’m somewhat certain I’ll be told many new stuff proper right here! Good luck for the following!

    Reply
  3. But what about this sentence ‘New York has been a getaway for I/me and my family since 2003’. Which is correct?

    I would think “me” is right. However shouldn’t “I/me” be the subject going to NY as a getaway? So I feel it should be “I”, but that goes against your explanation as “New York has been a getaway for I” is clearly grammatically wrong. So which should it be please?

    Reply
    • The subject is the performer of the action. It usually comes before the verb; for example, “my family and I go on a yearly getaway to New York.” In your sentence, you use “me” as the object; as the receiver of the action, “for me”

      Reply

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