English Grammar Made Easy

It's me or It's I-Which one is correct?

Both "It is I" and "It's me" are commonly used, but they have slightly different levels of formality and grammatical correctness.

"It is I" is considered more formal and grammatically correct. In traditional grammar, "I" is the subject pronoun, and in this sentence, it follows the linking verb "is," so technically it agrees with the subject.

"It's me" is less formal but more commonly used in everyday speech. In this construction, "me" is the object pronoun, and it's colloquially accepted even though it doesn't follow traditional grammatical rules as strictly.

Ultimately, both are widely understood and accepted in casual conversation, but if you're aiming for a more formal or grammatically precise tone, "It is I" would be the preferred choice.

The Use of All Modal Verbs-Modal Auxiliary verbs

All modal verbs take the first form of the verb without to, barring ought and used, i.e. the bare infinitive(first form of the verb).

1. The use of can and could

· I can sing very well. ( showing capability in the present tense))

· I could solve that sum but I left it unsolved.

( showing capability in the past tense)

· Can I take your book?

(request made by a friend or a colleague/class fellow---- informal situation)

· Could you tell me the way to the nearest hotel? ( a very humble/ mild request made by the speaker in a formal situation, not in intimacy.)

· He cannot help laughing if someone commits a silly mistake. (Present Situation)

· He could not help weeping to see the people dying in an accident. (It means he could not avoid weeping............ (Past situation)

· There are dark clouds in the sky.

It can rain today. (strong possibility)

(II) The use of ‘would’

(a) Would is used as the past tense form of shall and will in reported speech.

· He said to me, “ I shall help you.”

· He told me that he would help me.

(b) To show past intention:

· I knew that you would say no to my request.

© To express unfulfilled wish or desire :

· Would that I were a king!

(d) To offer something:

· Would you like to have a cup of tea?

(e) To make a request:

· Would you mind passing the salt to me?

· Would you mind my sitting beside you?

(f) With rather

· I would rather stay here than leave at this dismal hour.

(g) In conditional sentences, we use ‘would’:

· If I were you, I would certainly help the poor.

· If you helped him on time, I would get a good job.

· If you had worked hard, you would have passed.

· If you had told me everything on time, I would certainly have done something

(III) The Use of Might

1. To show slight possibility:

· It might rain today.

· My father might return from Delhi today.

2. To make a mild request hesitatingly:

· Might I say something? (formal situation)

· Might I sit beside you? (formal situation)

(IV) The Use of Must, Ought and Should:

The Use of Must

1. Must is used for urgency

· The condition of the patient is worsening. He must be taken to hospital immediately.

2. For Prohibition

· Smoking is injurious to health. You must not smoke.

(V) The Use of Ought (to-infinitive is used)

1. To Specify the violation of moral values

· Mohit, you ought to respect your parents.

· Shallu, you ought not to disobey your

teachers

(VI) The Use of Should

1. To suggest moral obligation

· You should always speak the truth.

· We should not betray others.

2. To give unreal suggestions in a past situation

· You should have followed my advice.

· You should have worked hard to score high marks.

The Use of Modal Verb Would