Not I

[riverkid]

Originally Posted by MrPedantic

Yes, they are very common; but if you look at the first three pages of the "exact search" on "it was I", for example, you'll find that 10 out of 30 (at most) relate to "It was I" in the sense "it was me".
MrP

Well then, if we use that as a guideline

5,780,000/3 = 1.9 million or so English pages for "it was I".

[MrPedantic]

Moreover, if you look at the first few pages for "It was me", you'll find that most of them relate to the structure under discussion. The only exception seems to be the occasional would-be humorous usage where "me" = "my".

So contrary to those initial googles, I'd suggest that "It was I" is comparatively much less common online than "it was me".

MrP

[riverkid]

Originally Posted by MrPedantic

So contrary to those initial googles, I'd suggest that "It was I" is comparatively much less common online than "it was me".
MrP

I will so stipulate, Mr P.

[dihen]

Originally Posted by Casiopea

On the phone:
`
Pat: Hello, may I speak with Sam, please?
Sam: This is she.

Would anyone say "This is her." there?

[BobK]

Originally Posted by Casiopea

...
I speak the Language of my generation--the "Me" generation. However, when communicating with speakers who(m) ascribe to traditional conventions, I tend to, but not always, use the nominative form, "I".
Cas :D

Me too, but only when it's right. I would never say 'Will you come with he and I', regardless of the degree of uninformed prejudice of my interlocutors.

b

ps - And I think the word particle is a cop-out as well.

[MrPedantic]

Originally Posted by dihen

Would anyone say "This is her." there?

Hello Dihen

I wouldn't say "This is her"; but I might say "This is him". (Though actually, I would probably say "Yes, speaking".)

MrP

[çakırpençe]

can you explain the difference and usage of "until" and "by"

[Tdol]

Cakirpence, it's better if you start a new thread when you have a different question.
The answer is that 'by' sets a time limit for completion:
I'll have it ready by 3 o'clock. (3pm is the limit- it could be ready before then)
'Until' sets a limit, but the action will continue throughout the period:
The shop is open until 7pm. (it will not be closed during that time)

[dihen]

Originally Posted by Tdol

The shop is open until 7pm. (it will not be closed during that time)

I would want to use "during the time before that", because in the way I interpret it, "that time" refers to "7pm".