Finer points

This page sets out some of the more nuanced guidelines for formal writing. 

Me or I

Some people fall into the trap of always writing I rather than me when trying to sound formal. In some cases, using I is in fact incorrect. This applies to formal and informal writing.

The most common source of confusion is if the sentence is written in the first person and involves a second person. The easiest way to determine which word to use in such a scenario, is to work out which word (me or I) would apply if the second person was not included in the sentence - because this is the correct word to use. That may sound confusing when read, but some examples will hopefully illustrate this more clearly. 

Examples

Consider the sentence: Would you like to come with John and me to the store?

The above sentence is correct. Use of I instead of me would be wrong in this case. We can test this by considering the sentence if John was not involved.

In this case we would write: Would you like to come with me to the store?

We would not write: Would you like to come with I to the store?

Therefore we must also not write: Would you like to come with John and I to the store?

Consider the sentence: John and me are going to the store - would you like to come along?

The above sentence is incorrect. We can see this using the same method we used above i.e. imagining that John is not involved.

In this case we would write: I am going to the store - would you like to come along?

Note we would not write: Me am going to the store - would you like to come along.

Therefore, the case involving John should be written: John and I are going to the store - would you like to come along?

Less or Fewer

The rule here is relatively straightforward. If you are referring to a singular entity, use the word less. If you talking about a number of things that could be counted separately, use the word fewer.

Examples

Consider the sentence: Jack has less money than Jane.

The above sentence is correct, because the word money can be considered a singular entity.

Consider the sentence: Jack has fewer dollars than Jane.

The above sentence is also correct, because dollars are separate things that we can count.

Companies are singular entities

When writing about a company, organisation, government department or similar, they should be referred to as singular entities. 

Example 1

The following sentence is grammatically correct:

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has issued a statement in response to the allegations.

Note that it would be incorrect to write 'The MOD have issued...' because the word have is not appropriate for a single person or entity.

Example 1

The following sentence is grammatically correct:

Technology giant Apple is expected to make an announcement regarding a merger with Samsung in September. 

Note that it would be incorrect to write 'Apple are expected...' because the word are is not appropriate for a single person or entity.