my friend and i

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "my friend and I" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as the subject of a sentence when referring to oneself and a friend together. Example: "My friend and I went to the concert last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

My friend and I both "Aww'd" audibly.

The New Yorker

My friend and I both know it's wishful thinking.

Independent

My friend and I looked at each other.

The New York Times

My friend and I stuck to baby oil.

The New Yorker

Of course, my friend and I couldn't claim all that.

The New York Times

"My friend and I are selling it on eBay".

The New Yorker

Kristi is my friend, and I am hers.

The New York Times

My friend and I are arrested for shoplifting.

The New York Times - Magazine

But my friend and I had to discuss it.

The New Yorker

My friend and I sometimes spent a whole day cooking.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

My friend and I compared notes on our preparations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "my friend and i" as the subject of a sentence, ensure the verb agrees with the plural subject. For example, "My friend and I are going to the park" is correct.

Common error

Avoid using "my friend and me" when the phrase is the subject of the sentence. "Me" is an objective pronoun and should be used as an object, not a subject. The correct usage is "my friend and I".

Linguistic Context

Subject. The phrase "my friend and i" typically functions as the subject of a sentence, indicating who is performing the action. As Ludwig AI indicates, this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "my friend and i" is grammatically correct and very common, primarily functioning as the subject of a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, especially in news and media. When writing, remember to use "I" when it's the subject and avoid the common mistake of using "me" in that position. By focusing on using alternatives for the phrase, you can enhance the clarity of your writing. Always ensure the verb agrees with the plural subject for grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a friend and i

Omits the possessive pronoun "my", focusing on the general experience of a friend and the speaker.

i and a friend

Reverses the order, placing "i" before "a friend", slightly altering the emphasis.

a companion and i

Replaces "friend" with "companion", suggesting a more formal relationship.

a colleague and i

Substitutes "friend" with "colleague", indicating a professional association.

an acquaintance and i

Uses "acquaintance" instead of "friend", implying a less close relationship.

a pal and i

Replaces "friend" with "pal", indicating an informal context.

a buddy and i

Substitutes "friend" with "buddy", suggesting a close, informal relationship.

a mate and i

Uses "mate" instead of "friend", indicating a British English context.

a comrade and i

Replaces "friend" with "comrade", often used in a political or ideological context.

someone and i

More vague, referring to an unspecified person alongside the speaker.

FAQs

How do I know when to use "my friend and I" versus "my friend and me"?

Use "my friend and I" when the phrase is the subject of the sentence. For example, "My friend and I went to the store." Use "my friend and me" when the phrase is the object of the sentence. For example, "They gave the tickets to my friend and me."

Is it more polite to say "my friend and I" or "I and my friend"?

It is generally considered more polite to say "my friend and I". Placing the other person first is a common convention in English etiquette.

What are some alternatives to saying "my friend and I"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a friend and I", "a companion and I", or specify names: "John and I".

What is the grammatical rule that dictates the use of "I" in "my friend and I"?

The grammatical rule is called the subject pronoun case. When you and another person are performing the action (the subject), use the subjective pronoun "I". To check, remove "my friend and" and see if "I" still makes sense: "I went to the store" is correct, while "Me went to the store" is incorrect.