Me, myself or I in non-I clause

Question

MS Word is underlining the word myself and I am now wondering if I should be using me instead, seeing as the subject is not I. Which one is correct? Are both possible?

1. At this point, putting as much distance between myself and John as possible is the only thing that matters.

2. At this point, putting as much distance between me and John as possible is the only thing that matters.

It shouldn't be “between John and I” should it?

I have another question about whether to use I or me in the sentence below:

3. The tension is heavy between John and I as we find ourselves alone in the driveway...

Or should it be:

4. The tension is heavy between me and John as we find ourselves alone in the driveway...

Any advice would be appreciated!

Answer 1

Well, your second question is easy. "Between John and I" is one of the most common errors in English.

It's funny: you wouldn't say "The tension is heavy between we," which is equivalent to number 3.

I believe the confusion arises because of a similar-sounding problem, with a different answer. A lot of people tend to say:

John and me were having a problem.

When of course they should be saying:

John and I were having a problem.

Since the solution to this problem is to change "me" to "I," there's a tendency to repeat the solution whenever you have something that sounds similar -- because it also contains "John and me." :)

As far as the first question: "Myself" sounds right to me, since the protagonist is "acting upon" himself or herself, so to speak.