me...my...
- Thread starter reenkam
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All are awkward sounding and/or incorrect. To be technically correct, I would suggest: My brother's and my loss. [My brother's loss / my loss]
Yes, "My brother's and my loss".
And I agree that compound possessives with a personal pronoun often sound awkward. You might think of rewriting it to avoid the possessive altogether. "The loss suffered by . . . "
And I agree that compound possessives with a personal pronoun often sound awkward. You might think of rewriting it to avoid the possessive altogether. "The loss suffered by . . . "
What about (and I'm asking, because I don't know):
Mine and my brother's loss. ??
Now that I look at that, I can tell it's wrong.
Mine and my brother's loss. ??
Now that I look at that, I can tell it's wrong.
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I never like any of these options. That's why I generally cop out with "our loss".
If I feel I need to be more specific, I might say, "Our loss -- mine and my brother's --"
If I feel I need to be more specific, I might say, "Our loss -- mine and my brother's --"
Remember, too, that what's grammatically correct my not be true to your narrator. I mean, I'm a reasonably educated person, yet I might say "It was me and my brother's loss" in casual conversation to a friend. Yeah, I know it's wrong. But "It was my brother's and my loss" sounds like I'm wearing white gloves and pearls.
Maryn, who might even say "ain't," later--watch this space
Maryn, who might even say "ain't," later--watch this space
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Isn't it "My brother and I's loss?" I'm getting pretty confused myself.
You wouldn't say "I loss," or "I's loss." You would say "My loss." The rule for me, my, and I in cases of referring to oneself and a companion can be a bit confusing.
For instance:
My brother and I went to the movies. (Correct, because you can take out the brother and it reads: "I went to the movies.")
"My brother and me went to the movies" or "Me and my brother went to the movies." (Both of these are incorrect, as you wouldn't say "Me went to the movies.")
Are you coming with John and me? (Correct, because it can be reduced to "Are you coming with me?")
Are you coming with John and I? (Incorrect, because you would not say, "Are you coming with I?")
If you're confused, always take out the reference to the other person and see if "I" or "me" belongs.
Hope that helps!
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