A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun. Without pronouns we would have to keep repeating our nouns.
We don't say: My sister is very friendly. Everyone likes my sister.
Instead, we say: My sister is very friendly. Everyone likes her.
The personal pronouns I, you, he, she, it, we and they are used as the subject of a verb in a sentence, while me, you, him, her, it, us and them take the object of the sentence.
My name is Lisa. I have three dogs. – The pronoun I is the subject.
My sister is very friendly. Everyone likes her.– The pronoun her is the object.
Remember: The subject of a sentence is the person, animal or thing that does the action shown by the verb. The object of a sentence is the person, animal or thing that receives the action shown by the verb.
Personal pronouns are divided into three groups: First person (the person speaking), Second person (the person spoken to) and Third person (the person, animal or thing spoken about), in singular and plural forms.
Use these tables to help you remember:
| Subject | Object | |
|---|---|---|
|
First Person Singular
|
I
|
me
|
|
Second Person Singular
|
you
|
you
|
|
Third Person Singular
|
he / she / it
|
him / her / it
|
|
First Person Plural
|
we
|
us
|
|
Second Person Plural
|
you
|
you
|
|
Third Person Plural
|
they
|
them
|
Lesson by Nasreen, teacher at EC Cape Town English school
Complete the sentences with the correct pronoun:
