Which is correct, to say “I did it”, “I did it” or “I did it”?
To better understand each of the prayers, let's look at them separately:
I did it – In this sentence, the verb “did” has as its subject the relative pronoun “that”. Therefore, there is no way for the verb to agree with its subject, since this is a pronoun. Then, the verb is referred to the antecedent of the relative pronoun “that” so that there is agreement in number (singular/plural) and person (1st, 2nd or 3rd). What is the background of the “what” in this prayer? "Me". Therefore, the agreement “I did it” is correct, as is the prayer “I did it.”. The verb “did” agrees with “I”, antecedent to the pronoun “that”. The same way it will be in these examples:
a) It was he that you remembered to pick up the wallet!
b) I went me what I helped you to study!
c) we are we what we have to ask for forgiveness!
Stay tuned: I did it wrong, because they don't say “it was me” but “it was me”. The correct thing would be “He did it.”, the verb “was” agreeing with “he” in person and number.
I did it – It's not wrong, it answers the question: Who did this? It was me. Note that the verb “did” agrees with the previous subject “I”. This construction is common, as the tendency is for the speaker to agree the verb with the antecedent of the relative pronoun “who”, as happens when it is the other relative pronoun “who”. The following prayers are examples:
a) We are we who We invite you.
b) I am me who I am hungry.
c) I went me who read this book.
I did it – In case the subject is the relative pronoun “who”, the verb will agree in third person, since it is a third person pronoun. Thus, the phrase "I did it" is correct, as are the following sentences:
a) We are we who has invited you.
b) I am me who it is hungry.
c) I went me who read this book.
Do not stop now... There's more after the advertising ;)
By Sabrina Vilarinho
Graduated in Letters
Brazil School Team
See more!
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Grammar - Brazil School
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
VILARINHO, Sabrina. "Did I do it, Did I do it or did I do it? "; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/gramatica/fui-eu-que-fiz-fui-eu-quem-fiz-ou-fui-eu-quem-fez.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.