According to me....

Hello teachers,


In Grammar books ,I have seen that the expression according to should not be used with me but I see many people including News anchor using it.

Can it be used with "me"?

Child: I want to go outside and play.
Mother: Not until you finish your homework.
Child: You're not the boss of me!
Mother: Oh yes I am, young man.
Child: According to who?
Mother: According to me.

I suppose that in such an example between a child and his parent, "according to me" is somewhat acceptable.

But, in general usage, don't you think that "according to me" sounds a bit pompous and self-inflated?
I wouldn't use it, I wouldn't write it, and I would certainly not give the slightest credence to any person that provided "according to me" as a citation of fact.

JohnParis said:

But, in general usage, don't you think that "according to me" sounds a bit pompous and self-inflated?
I wouldn't use it, I wouldn't write it, and I would certainly not give the slightest credence to any person that provided "according to me" as a citation of fact.

Click to expand...

Yes sir. I too think so but I see many people using that expression for citing a fact even eminent journalists ,politicians and lawyers who believed to have a good command over the language use this expression.

For eg,

According to me this movement is going to have a great impact on people.

I think the right one should be In my opinion this movement is going to have a great impact on people.

david11 said:

Yes sir. I too think so but I see many people using that expression for citing a fact even eminent journalists ,politicians and lawyers who believed to have a good command over the language use this expression.

For eg,

According to me this movement is going to have a great impact on people.

I think the right one should be In my opinion this movement is going to have a great impact on people.

Click to expand...

Yes, you are right. Was this said by a native English speaker?

david11 said:

Yes sir. I too think so but I see many people using that expression for citing a fact even eminent journalists ,politicians and lawyers who believed to have a good command over the language use this expression.

For eg,

According to me this movement is going to have a great impact on people.

I think the right one should be In my opinion this movement is going to have a great impact on people.

Click to expand...

Yes, or even simpler, "I believe (or I think) that this movement ...."

david11 said:

Yes sir. I too think so but I see many people using that expression for citing a fact even eminent journalists ,politicians and lawyers who believed to have a good command over the language use this expression.

Click to expand...

JohnParis's suggestion that it could be pompous and self-inflating would fit many of those. People often use unnecessarily complex ways of saying things because they think it sounds more learned and intellectual- take at this present moment in time; it could easily be replaced by now, which says exactly the same thing and saves five words. ;-)

Thanks for replies.
:up: