Is it I/me who bother/s you?

[Tan Elaine]

Is it I who bother you? If I use 'me', does the verb change to 'bothers'?

Is it me who bothers you?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Kondorosi]

Is it I who bother you? If I use 'me', does the verb change to 'bothers'?

Is it me who bothers you?

Thanks in advance.

Relative pronouns in English govern, and have always governed, the verb according to their antecedent. A first-person antecedent requires a first-person verb, a second-person antecedent a second-person verb, and so forth.

Now it is your turn to answer your question.

 

[sarat_106]

Is it I who bother you? If I use 'me', does the verb change to 'bothers'?

Is it me who bothers you?

Thanks in advance.

Yes, you are right. Who refers to objective form 'me' which is singular.
with plural the verb will change; as: Is it we who bother you?

 

[Kondorosi]

Yes, you are right. Who refers to objective form 'me' which is singular.
with plural the verb will change; as: Is it we who bother you?

No, (s)he is definitely not right. 'me' is not only singular but also first person. Singular first person does not get an -s inflection. Only singular third person does.

Yes, you are right. Who refers to objective form 'me' which is singular.

'bother' is a verb and 'bothers' is not a noun inflected for plural.

 

[Elemoi]

Short answers 4 - grammar - central - British Council - LearnEnglish
I mean that it is me who thinks it is necessary. In this case, in British English, we would not normally use have to. In American English, however, have to is more common.
​

 

[philo2009]

Is it I who bother you? If I use 'me', does the verb change to 'bothers'?

Is it me who bothers you?

Thanks in advance.

The use of object-case pronouns as subject complements to the copula is not a rule but a widely tolerated deviation. If, therefore, by asking 'does the verb change?' you are enquiring about what is grammatically correct, the answer is that there is no "correct" form for the verb in this situation, any more than there is a "correct" way to jaywalk or to run a red light!

If, however, you are asking whether it is common practice to employ a third-person verb here, then the answer is yes, although many would justifiably argue that to construct the sentence thus is simply to compound one error with another (to extend the previous analogy, rather like spitting on the road as you jaywalk across it).

Standard formal usage requires nominative 'I' as complement here, which naturally requires a first-person verb, giving '...I who bother...'. I would strongly suggest that you stick to this tried-and-trusted formula, at least in any situation where you might be judged on the basis of your English skills!

 

[Kondorosi]

which naturally requires a first-person verb, giving '...I who bother...'. I would strongly suggest that you stick to this tried-and-trusted formula, at least in any situation where you might be judged on the basis of your English skills!

Thanks for the confirmation.

Strictly speaking, 'me' is not correct, but then, this is what 99% of N(N)ES would say.

 

[philo2009]

Thanks for the confirmation.

Strictly speaking, 'me' is not correct, but then, this is what 99% of N(N)ES would say.

Indeed, as stated, common practice...

 

[Tan Elaine]

Thanks for the confirmation.

Strictly speaking, 'me' is not correct, but then, this is what 99% of N(N)ES would say.

What does "N(N)ES " stand for? Is it a recognised abbreviation?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Kondorosi]

What does "N(N)ES " stand for? Is it a recognised abbreviation?

Thanks in advance.

It is an acronym which stands for N(on)-N(ative) E(nglish) S(peaker).

 

[euncu]

'me' is not correct, but then, this is what 99% of N(N)ES would say.

I am a NNES, and I'd say "Is it mewho bothers you?". But I just can't understand why you suggest that it is just about NNESs. NNESs are not an
organic community, which is communicating each other through telepathy and
deciding to turn the English words into some degraded forms. Most NNESs, as you may know very well, become familiar with English through the movies,the tv shows, the music albums,etc. that made by the NESs (mostly by AESs).
So if there are some people who are to blame for using "bad English"( in a prescriptive way), it is unfair for NNESs to be the ones to blame.

 

[RonBee]

In any case, it is probably better to stick with the more familiar (and less awkward) Am I bothering you?

 

[Tan Elaine]

It is an acronym which stands for N(on)-N(ative) E(nglish) S(peaker).

Thanks. But is it a recognised acronym? Just curious. Thanks again.

 

[Kondorosi]

But I just can't understand why you suggest that it is just about NNESs.

Where did I suggest that, my dear?

but then, this is what 99% of N(N)ES would say.

N(N)ES = NES + NNES (that is what the brackets were trying to express)

I am a NNES, and I'd say "Is it mewho bothers you?".

You pays your money and you takes your choice. ;-)

Most NNESs, as you may know very well, become familiar with English through the movies,the tv shows, the music albums,etc. that made by the NESs

(I am not one of them.)

it is unfair for NNESs to be the ones to blame.

Agreed.

Is it a recognised abbreviation?

I did not make it up. ;-) Yes, it is "recognized".