When it comes to grammar, few debates ignite as much passion and confusion as the choice between “It is me” and “It is I.” Whether you’re a descriptivist or a presciptivist, this question has likely sparked a moment of doubt or even heated discussion. In the ever-evolving world of English, where rules bend and shift with usage, understanding the nuances of this seemingly simple sentence can reveal much about how we communicate today. Dive in as we explore why “it is me” has become the go-to in everyday speech and what makes “it is I?” the grammatically correct choice according to traditional rules.
According to the traditional grammar rules, the pronoun ‘me’ should not be placed after a linking verb.
When a pronoun follows a linking verb, the pronoun should be in the subject position (nominative case). She is my lady = My lady is she (“she is my lady” equals “my lady is she”).
Although “it is me” sounds more natural and is typically used in everyday conversation. ‘It is I’ is grammatically correct because the subject complement (after a linking verb) should be in the nominative case.
Please keep in mind that in written or academic settings, adhering to traditional grammatical rules might be expected, making “it is I?” the appropriate choice. In informal contexts or everyday conversation, the emphasis is often on clarity and natural flow, so using the objective case ‘me’ after a linking verb is now acceptable and sounds more natural to modern speakers.