Me vs. Myself
'Me' and 'myself' are both objects that refer to the same person, but they cannot be used in place of one another. Let's see.
Main Difference
'Me' and 'myself' are both pronouns. 'Myself' is the reflexive form of the pronoun 'I', and 'me' is the object pronoun of 'I'.
Myself
'Myself' can take two roles in a sentence. It can be:
- Emphatic Pronoun
We use 'myself' to put emphasis on the doer of the action in a sentence.
- Reflexive Pronoun
We use 'myself' to indicate that the speaker of the sentence is doing something to him or herself. In this case, we use a reflexive pronoun.
When Can We Use 'Myself'?
'Myself' can only be used in these two circumstances:
- When the subject and the object of a verb is the same person.
- When you want to emphasize the subject 'I' in a sentence.
In any other situations, use 'me' as the object pronoun.
Can 'Myself' be the Subject?
'Myself' alone can never be the subject of a sentence. It is always used as the object.
Myself went to the mall.
This is wrong. 'Myself' cannot be used as the subject. You can say 'I myself went to the mall'.
Is 'Myself' More Polite?
You cannot use an emphatic pronoun to sound formal or polite. It is grammatically incorrect. 'Myself' can either be an emphatic pronoun or reflexive pronoun. You cannot use it for any other reason. You cannot use it instead of 'me' to sound more formal or more polite.
You are required to submit the proposal to myself.
Incorrect
You are required to submit the proposal
Correct
Please call Sara and myself at your earliest convenience.
Incorrect
Please call
Correct
Pay Attention!
Remember that 'myself' is either reflexive (I'm doing something to/for myself) or emphatic (I myself). Otherwise, use 'me'.
When We Must Use 'Myself' instead of 'Me'?
After the prepositions of 'to' and 'by' we can use reflexive pronouns, but after prepositions of place, we use object pronouns.
I live
Correct
I live by me.
Incorrect
I had the apartment all
Correct
I had the apartment all to me for a night.
Incorrect
Don't Use 'Me' as an Intensifier
You cannot use 'me' as intensifiers or with reflexive verbs.
I hit
Correct
I hit me in the head!
Incorrect
I talked to him
Correct
I talked to him me.
Incorrect