Such as I vs. Such as Me – Which is Correct?
When choosing between “such as I” and “such as me,” use “such as me” in ordinary modern English after the preposition “as”: “They invited people such as me.” Use “such as I” only when “I” is the subject of an omitted verb, as in “writers such as I am today.”
Such as I or Such as Me – Which is Correct?
Both “such as I” and “such as me” can be grammatically valid, but they are not equally natural in every sentence. In ordinary modern English, “such as me” is usually the correct and most natural choice after a noun or pronoun: “The organization supports volunteers such as me.”
The same pronoun choice appears in It Is I, where formal and conversational usage also diverge.
“Such as I” is appropriate when I functions as the subject of an understood verb, usually in a formal or slightly old-fashioned construction: “Writers such as I am often concerned with clarity.” In everyday writing, it is usually clearer to rewrite this as “Writers like me are often concerned with clarity.”
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the object test: if the phrase simply identifies a person included in a group, choose “such as me.” For example, “They need someone such as me.” You are the object of the preposition-like expression.
Use “such as I” only if you can mentally add a verb after I. In “people such as I am,” the hidden or stated verb is am. If no verb naturally follows, “such as me” is generally the better choice.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| such as I | Pronoun phrase in a formal elliptical construction | A person of the speaker’s type, usually with an understood verb | People such as I am rarely receive recognition. |
| such as me | Prepositional phrase | A person included as an example in a group | The program helps students such as me. |
How to Use Such as I
“Such as I” is a formal construction used when I is understood to be the subject of a verb. The full construction may be written as “such as I am,” “such as I was,” or “such as I have become.” However, placing “such as I” directly after a noun without an explicit or easily understood verb can sound stiff, outdated, or incorrect to many readers.
In contemporary professional, academic, and conversational writing, a simpler alternative such as “someone like me” or “people like me” is often more natural.
Example 1: People such as I am expected to follow the rules carefully.
Example 2: A scholar such as I would normally examine the original evidence first.
Example 3: Those such as I who work remotely must plan their schedules carefully.
Etymology of the phrase such as I
The expression combines such, an Old English word meaning “of that kind,” with as, which developed from an Old English phrase meaning “also in the manner that.” The pronoun I is the Old English first-person singular subject pronoun. The formal pattern reflects older grammatical preferences that used subject pronouns after an implied verb.
How to Use Such as Me
“Such as me” is the normal modern choice when the phrase identifies the speaker as one example within a larger group. Here, me is an object pronoun, and the phrase functions much like “like me” or “including me.” This form is natural in casual, professional, academic, and most formal contexts.
Although some traditional grammar rules recommend “such as I” in certain situations, modern usage strongly favors “such as me” when no verb follows the pronoun. Replacing the phrase with “like me” can help confirm the choice.
Example 1: The service is designed for customers such as me.
Example 2: Few athletes such as me have the opportunity to compete internationally.
Example 3: The museum welcomes visitors such as me who are interested in local history.
Etymology of the phrase such as me
The phrase has the same origin as “such as I,” but it uses the objective form of the first-person pronoun. English gradually expanded the use of object pronouns after prepositions and preposition-like expressions, making “such as me” the dominant choice in ordinary modern speech and writing.
Related Concepts
Understanding pronoun case and elliptical clauses makes the difference between “such as I” and “such as me” easier to recognize.
- Subject pronouns: Subject pronouns such as I, he, and she generally perform an action or follow a linking verb. Example: “I am ready.”
- Object pronouns: Object pronouns such as me, him, and her typically follow verbs or prepositions. Example: “They invited me.”
- Ellipsis: Ellipsis occurs when words are omitted because their meaning is understood. “Such as I” may be acceptable when a verb such as am is understood.
- Prepositions: A preposition establishes a relationship between words. Because “such as” commonly introduces examples in a prepositional phrase, it is normally followed by the object pronoun me.
Examples from Media and Literature
Published writing uses both constructions, although “such as me” is far more common in modern prose. The following examples illustrate contexts found in journalism, fiction, public speeches, and professional communication:
- News-style writing: “The policy affects ordinary residents such as me who rely on public transportation.”
- Memoir-style writing: “People such as me often recognize the warning signs only after the crisis has passed.”
- Literary formal style: “A traveler such as I am is accustomed to unfamiliar roads.”
- Professional communication: “The workshop is valuable for beginners such as me.”
- Public commentary: “Citizens such as me deserve a clear explanation.”
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct phrase to complete each sentence: such as I or such as me.
- The scholarship supports first-generation students ______.
- A person ______ should not ignore the importance of preparation.
- The organization serves community members ______ who need legal assistance.
- People ______ am expected to understand the challenges of starting over.
- The editor welcomes contributors ______ with experience in education.
Answer Key
- such as me — The phrase identifies the speaker as one student in a group.
- such as I — The formal construction implies “such as I am,” although “a person like me” is more natural.
- such as me — The pronoun follows the example-introducing expression.
- such as I — The verb am is explicitly included, so I is the subject.
- such as me — The phrase means “contributors like me.”
Such as I Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| such as I am | A fully stated formal version of “such as I” |
| someone like me | A natural modern alternative referring to a person of the same type |
| a person of my kind | A formal phrase describing someone with similar characteristics |
Such as Me Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| like me | Similar to me in characteristics, experience, or identity |
| including me | Including the speaker among the people being discussed |
| people like me | A natural phrase referring to a broader group that includes the speaker |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “such as me” grammatically correct?
Yes. “Such as me” is grammatically correct and is the usual modern expression when the phrase means “like me” or “including me,” as in “The service helps customers such as me.”
Question 2: When should I use “such as I”?
Use “such as I” when I is the subject of an expressed or understood verb, as in “people such as I am.” However, the phrase is formal and can sound awkward, so “people like me” is often preferable.
Question 3: Is “such as I” always wrong?
No. It is not always wrong, but it is frequently overused in places where the object pronoun me is more natural. If no verb follows or is clearly understood, choose “such as me.”
Conclusion
Both “such as I” and “such as me” have legitimate uses, but “such as me” is the standard choice in ordinary modern English when identifying yourself as an example in a group. Reserve “such as I” for formal constructions with an expressed or implied verb. Pro Tip: In professional writing, favor the natural form because clear, idiomatic grammar strengthens your credibility and reputation.
