The first topic that any learner comes across in any language as a beginner is Subject Pronouns. But before talking and describing it in details, first we have to clarify the definition of subject.
Subject is referred to the performer of the action. for example in the sentence:
John writes a letter to his mother every day.
John is the subject and performer of the sentence.
In English language we normally and let’s say most of the time do not repeat the name of the performer in following sentences and we substitute them with pronouns. As an example if we want to continue the previous sentence we do not say:
John writes a letter to his mother every day. John loves writing and describing his situation. John is far away from his mother.
As you see something is not right above and that is exactly the repetition of the name John … so we must replace it with object pronoun.
Table of Contents
Subject Pronouns Table
In English language unlike some other languages, the subject pronouns are very easy to learn and they are:
| I | WE |
| YOU | YOU |
| HE | THEY |
| SHE | |
| IT |
- I (first person singular)
- YOU (second person singular)
- HE (third person singular in masculine form)
- SHE (third person singular in feminine form)
- IT (third person singular referring to animals, non-living creatures, and abstract things)
- WE (first person plural form)
- YOU (second person plural form)
- THEY (third perdon plural referring to either living or non-living creatures)
Now let’s see some examples with these objects:
Students must study a lot to pass the test. They know it’s not a joke and if they fail, they have to resit it.
In above example, the pronoun “they” refer to students, and the pronoun “it” refers to the test.
John writes a letter to his mother every day. He loves doing that.
Note: In English, the pronoun you refers either to singular and plural interlocutor(s) and the only way to distinguish who we are referring to is by looking at the noun which is followed by the subject and to be verb. If it is followed by a singular noun so we are referring to one person and if we use plural noun we are referring to a group:
You are a very polite student. (singular because of the usage of a and student)
You are very polite students. (plural because of the usage of students)
Note: We use the pronoun “it” mostly in these cases:
1. Talking about animals, ideas,abstract things:
It is a very big animal.
Migration is a good idea, as long as you consider it a step forward and do something about it.
2. We use it to talk about time and weather conditions:
It’s almost 5 o’clock and no one is here.
It was 10 p.m and all the neighbors were in the street to see what was going on.
It’s very cold today, I had to wear something warmer, I hope I don’t catch a cold.
3. When we are talking on the phone:
Hello! it’s George.
4. When we can’t see the interlocutor or other person:
Who is it? it’s Micheal (knocking at the door)
Advance points of Subject Pronouns in English
Be very careful about the usage of the pronoun in such sentences:
He and I had a fight.(not he and me)
This sentence has two subjects because he and I were both involved in the fight equally so we have to use I here not me.
Moreover in such sentence when mentioning the pronoun I, as a matter of appreciation and politeness in English we use the pronoun “I” after the first subject:
My family and I …
John and I …
To him, I must pay my children college funds. (not me must pay)
Although “I” is not at the beginning of this sentence yet again it has a subject role, so must be use in capital form and not in object pronoun form.
Note: We must not use the subject pronouns when we use the imperative form in English:
Go away. (not you go away)
Leave me alone. (not you leave me alone)
Stop! (not you stop)
Ok guys we hope that by now you all have learned Subject Pronouns in English and their examples. Do not forget to review any topics and grammar and take notes too.
You can also check out the English Grammar page to read other grammatical articles.