Monday, September 20, 2010

Please send it to myself...um...me?


I don't know how many times I've heard otherwise intelligent people asking someone to "send such-and-such to Bob and myself." That's impossible, because only I can send, or do, something to or for myself.

What you do need to know: the word myself goes only with what I can do to, or for, myself.

What you don't need to know: the technical term for the "-self" and "-selves" words.* Trust me, unless you're in an English class, nobody cares.

Wrong: Copy that email to Mom and myself, would you?
Right: Copy that email to Mom and me, would you? (Not "Mom and I," but "Mom and ME.")

Tip: If you're talking about something someone else will do, or is doing, to or for you, use me rather than myself.

* Reflexive pronouns. They are myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves. (Don't even think about using hisself or theirselves, or I shall have to beat you with an English grammar textbook.)

1 comment:

  1. Just wanted to thank you very much for this post =P. I was thinking about this earlier wondering (did I just send this to myself? Or is it that something should be sent to me? Or...?)

    Now I understand the proper usage of these words! ^.^.

    Thank you again =).

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