I/me (again?!)
 
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I/me (again?!)

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http://www.charlierose.com/watch/60268556

15':25" into this clip (the one titled 'The Federal Reserve'), Charlie Rose said 'you know better than I,' Β  Β  and then quickly said again: '... better than me.'

He seems to Β not as much correct himself Β as Β attempt to cover both sides of the fence.

It is remarkable that someone like Β him, Β grand master of the language if there is one, Β conversing with Β assorted more or less competent practitioners, still feels uncertain, and feels enough Β urge Β to even take a second to switch sides. Β  Β Remarkable, for nothing, but remarkable!

 


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(@dadoctah)
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Worst part of this is that he was right the first time, and "corrected" himself with an error.

Quick refresher on "I/me" in comparisons:

She likes John better than I. - means that I don't care much for John, but she has a higher opinion of him.
She likes John better than me. - means that if she had to choose between John and me, I'm getting left out in the cold.


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In other words:

She likes John better than I (do).
She likes John better than (she likes) me.

 

Edit:

Actually, I suppose it's Β She likes John better than I Β (like John).

but:

You know better than I (know).

You know (what?) better than (you know) me (?).

I can't make sense of it using me.

 


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So, Charlie seemed to have momentarily decided that proper grammar was not a good thing in real life. He wanted to show sympathy with opposing sides. But he really should not cater that way, not with grammar.


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I know nothing about Charlie, but it sounds as if he would have been better off making a choice, one way or the other, and sticking with it. Β 


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