Grammar in use: Andy and I were on the same plane

[Laroche]

Hi,

I understand that sentences could sometimes be in active or passive forms.
Can you help me illustrate how such idea affects each of the following sentences so that I know which one is right and which one is wrong and why it is so:

1a. Andy and I were on the same plane;

1b. I and Andy were on the same plane;

2a. By a strange twist of fate, Andy and I were on the same plane;

2b. By a strange twist of fate, I and Andy were on the same plane;

[Alan]

Hi,

I don't quite understand your reference to active and passive when you are referring to the sentences you have written. There are two subjects in the main sentence - a proper name (Andy) and a pronoun (I). This is really a question about word order and the preference would be for the proper name first and then the pronoun. If nothing else this is also a matter of balance.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Are you a Persuader?

[Conchita]

[Yankee]

I agree with you, Conchita. Kids are usually taught (by parents and teachers) that 'I' should not be used first and the reason usually given is that this is more polite:
- Andy and I
- He and I
- You and I

[Tom]

[Conchita]

[Yankee]

I agree, but it is true that you sometimes might hear things such as 'me and you' in very informal English. However, even popular music sometimes gets it right:

Just the two of us
We can make it if we try
Just the two of us, just the two of us
Just the two of us
Building castles in the sky
Just the two of us, you and I

[Alan]

Hi,

And this one will tickle Englishuser's fancy - even the queen says: My husband and I ...

A
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story A day in the life of a stately home owner

[Prezbucky]

There is no "I" in "team".

(Maybe not, but there is "me".)
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Billie Jean is not my lover. Hee.

[Yankee]

[Prezbucky]

garcias.

that pic was taken about five years ago, though. I've since grown an afro and a foot-long beard.


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Billie Jean is not my lover. Hee.

[Pamela]