What Would Sylvia Do?

It's Wednesday, and time for another installment of "What Would Sylvia Do?".  Someone who knew her well asked me why I didn't cover this one first, because Sylvia would correct your grammar. And if you were someone to whom she would extend the courtesy of keeping her mouth shut about your misuse of the language (don't count on that), she would certainly correct it mentally and we'd hear about it later. 

One of the "big ones" for Sylvia, the one we all learned pretty quick(ly), was the correct usage of "I" versus "me".   And despite the fact that we all learned it well, there are the occasional times when we all get it wrong.  We only get it wrong for a second though, because lo these many years later we still hear Mom's voice in our ear saying "It's Cathy and I, dear." or, if you'd said "Cathy and I..." chances are she would say "It's Cathy and me, dear."  You know how that goes.  

This week Sylvia reminds us that in figuring out whether to use "I" or "me", you drop out the other person and then say the sentence about only yourself.  Here's an example

        Incorrect: "Cathy and me are going to the store."

        How do you know that?  Drop Cathy out of the sentence.           Now, you wouldn't say "Me am going to the store.", right?           You'd say "I am going to the store." So,

        Correct: "Cathy and I are going to the store."

        Easy, right?  You've got this!

Below are some funny grammar tips.  Laugh a little!  And remember, spelling and grammar aren't everyone's strong point, so don't sweat the small stuff.  (P.S. most of the stuff we sweat in life is small stuff.)  But Sylvia would tell you that knowing at least the basics of proper use of our English language does still matter, and in the case of Grandma above, really can serve you well or completely screw up your intended meaning.   Grammar questions?  We'll do our best.  Ask Sylvia.