Pronouns are words we use in the place of a full noun.

We have both subject and object pronouns:

 

Subject Object
I me
you you
he him
she her
it it
we us
you you
they them

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We use he/him to refer to men, and she/her to refer to women. When we are not sure if we are talking about a man or a woman we use they/them.

This is Jack. He’s my brother. I don’t think you have met him.
This is Angela. She’s my sister. Have you met her before?
Talk to a friend. Ask them to help you.
You could go to a doctor. They might help you.

Subject pronouns

We use subject pronouns as subject of the verb:

I like your dress.
You are late.
He is my friend
It is raining
She is on holiday
We live in England.
They come from London.

 

Warning

Remember: English clauses always have a subject:

His father has just retired. Was a teacher. > He was a teacher.
I’m waiting for my wife. Is late.  > She is late.

If there is no other subject we use it or there. We call this a dummy subject.

 

 Object pronouns

 We use object pronouns:

• as the object of the verb:

Can you help me please?
I can see you.
She doesn’t like him.
I saw her in town today.
We saw them in town yesterday, but they didn’t see us.

• after prepositions:

She is waiting for me.
I’ll get it for you.
Give it to him.
Why are you looking at her?
Don’t take it from us.
I’ll speak to them. 

Exercise

Comments

Mercy Brito's picture Mercy Brito replied on Ecuador

Hi. I´m stard to learning inglish and I confused about use object pronouns.

Peter M's picture Peter M replied on Poland

Hi Mercy Brito,

Do you have an example of the kind of sentence you find difficult? We'll be happy to comment but we need some concrete example to do so.

 

Best wishes,

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Gladiator's picture Gladiator replied on Pakistan

If you don't know the meaning of verb. Is it possible that we use words like shall or etc.

Kirk's picture Kirk replied on Spain

Hi Gladiator,

I'm afraid I don't understand your question. Could you please be more specific?

All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team

Adya's's picture Adya's replied on India

Thanks a lot.

Can you kindly suggest a suitable webpage for such topics?

Adya's's picture Adya's replied on India

Hi
For the noun phrase "Either of you", which verb should be used, "is" or "are"?

Is there any web page of British Council or of a related organisation detailing such peculiar subject-verb agreement?

Peter M's picture Peter M replied on Poland

Hi Adya's

This is quite a complex question and the answer is in flux in some instances because the language is changing.

 

When either/neither is used before a singular noun it has a singular verb:

Neither plan is good.

 

When two alternatives are given the verb matches the closest alternative:

Neither Paul nor the twins are happy with that.

Neither Paul nor John is happy with that.

When we have one singular and one plural alternative we usually put the plural one second.

 

When there is a prepositional phrase with 'of' you have a choice:

Neither of the teachers is available.

Neither of the teachers are available.

Here, the language is changing. The singular form is the traditionally correct form here. However, in modern use the plural form is much more common and is becoming the standard form.

 

I hope that clarifies it for you. As I said, it is a complex area!

 

Best wishes,

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

K Narendra's picture K Narendra replied on India

In Subject " You " mention two time . Is there any purpose .

Kirk's picture Kirk replied on Spain

Hello K Narendra,

This is because 'you' has two uses. It can refer to one person or to many people (i.e. it can be singular or plural).

All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team

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