How do I choose between “I” and “me” in a compound subject or object?

Use the removal test: take the other person out of the sentence for a moment, then see whether “I” or “me” fits the remaining role. In “Jordan and I went,” try “I went”: the pronoun is part of the subject, the one doing the action, so “I” fits. “Me went” does not work in standard formal English. Purdue OWL describes this approach for compound subjects and objects: test the pronoun after temporarily removing the other part. [S1]

For another subject example, write “Nia and I prepared the slides.” Remove “Nia and”: “I prepared the slides.” Don’t choose “I” because it sounds more respectful; choose it because it is the subject.

Apply the same test, but identify what the verb is acting on. In “The manager thanked Sam and me,” remove “Sam and”: “The manager thanked me.” Here “me” is the object of “thanked,” so it is the right form. “The manager thanked I” does not fit the role. [S1]

A useful comparison:

1. “Sam and I thanked the manager.” Remove “Sam and”: “I thanked the manager.” Subject, so use “I.”
2. “The manager thanked Sam and me.” Remove “Sam and”: “The manager thanked me.” Object of the verb, so use “me.”

The word order can help you notice the role, but don’t rely on position alone: ask who is doing the action and who or what receives it.

Yes. A pronoun following a preposition such as “between,” “with,” or “for” is its object, so use “me”: “between you and me.” Remove “you and” to test it: “between me” works; “between I” does not. Purdue OWL includes objects of prepositions in the objective-pronoun rule. [S1]

Try these:

• “The invitation is for Casey and me.” Test: “for me.”
• “Rina sat with Alex and me.” Test: “with me.”
• “Alex and I sat together.” Test: “I sat together.”

The test helps with the pronoun’s grammatical role. It does not establish that every sentence has only one possible style choice, or that one form is more polite. If the sentence is a comparison with words left out, restore the implied words before deciding; an incomplete comparison can make the role less obvious. [S1]

Use this short routine:

1. Find the verb or preposition connected to the compound phrase.
2. Remove the other person or noun temporarily.
3. Read the shortened sentence aloud or silently.
4. If the pronoun is doing the action, use “I.” If it is an object of a verb or preposition, use “me.”
5. Restore the full phrase and check that the sentence still says what you mean.

Worked edit: “The coordinator sent the schedule to Lena and I.” Remove “Lena and”: “sent the schedule to I.” Because “to” is a preposition, the pronoun is its object. Revise to: “The coordinator sent the schedule to Lena and me.” The removal test is a practical editing aid, not a substitute for checking a more complicated sentence, especially one with an implied comparison.