What's the Difference Between 'It Is I' and 'It Is Me'?
In this blog post we look at when to use it is i and when to use it is me.
'It Is I' or 'It Is Me'?
"It is I" and "It is me" are both ways of saying "I am the one" or "I am the person/subject in question."
However, "It is I" is considered more formal and is often used in written or formal spoken language, while "It is me" is considered more casual and is often used in informal spoken language.
For example, if someone is asked "Who is there?", a formal response would be "It is I," while a casual response would be "It is me."
In a formal context, like a business meeting or a job interview, it would be appropriate to use "It is I."
In a casual context, like a conversation with a friend or family member, it would be appropriate to use "It is me."
In reality however, it would be uncommon to hear “It is I” in any modern setting and you are more likely to read this in literature.
It is worth noting that "It is me" is more common and accepted in spoken English and it is considered grammatically correct. The phrase "It is I" is considered archaic in some contexts.
In conclusion, "It is I" and "It is me" are both ways of saying "I am the one," but "It is I" is considered more formal and "It is me" is considered more casual.
The choice of which phrase to use depends on the level of formality of the situation.
Here are some example sentences to illustrate the difference between the phrases “It is I” and “It is me”:
"It is I, the Queen of England" said the woman in the carriage.
Explanation: This sentence uses the formal phrase "It is I" in a context where the speaker is identifying themselves as a high-ranking individual, such as a queen.
"It is me, your long-lost brother" said the man at the door.
Explanation: This sentence uses the informal phrase "It is me" in a context where the speaker is identifying themselves as a family member and the setting is informal.
"It is I, the CEO of the company," said the man in the meeting.
Explanation: This sentence uses the formal phrase "It is I" in a context where the speaker is identifying themselves as the head of a company and the setting is formal.
"It is me, the person you've been talking to on the phone," said the caller.
Explanation: This sentence uses the informal phrase "It is me" in a context where the speaker is identifying themselves as the person the other person has been talking to on the phone and the setting is informal.
"It is I, your professor" said the woman in the classroom.
Explanation: This sentence uses the formal phrase "It is I" in a context where the speaker is identifying themselves as an authority figure, such as a professor, and the setting is formal.
"It is me, the delivery man" said the man at the door.
Explanation: This sentence uses the informal phrase "It is me" in a context where the speaker is identifying themselves as the delivery person, and the setting is informal.
