English Grammar Understanding the Basics - Evelyn P. Altenberg, Robert M. Vago 2010
Lesson 21: Subject and object pronouns
Unit 7: Pronouns
Part I: Kinds of words
As Melissa entered the door of the dimly lit Cathedral, Melissa held tightly to Melissa’s backpack. Suddenly, Melissa thought that Melissa saw a shadow moving. ’’This is scary,’’ whispered Melissa to Melissa.
What’s strange about the sentences in the above text? What is strange is that they’re missing pronouns, words that replace nouns in a sentence. You’ll probably agree that these next sentences are a vast improvement on the first version:
As Melissa entered the door of the dimly lit Cathedral, she held tightly to her backpack. Suddenly, she thought that she saw a shadow moving. “This is scary,’’ whispered Melissa to herself.
We may never find out what happens to Melissa, but replacing Melissa with pronouns like she and her makes her far more palatable.
As far as pronouns go, there’s bad news and there’s good news. The bad news is that there are a number of different kinds of pronouns. The good news is that there are only a few pronouns of each type. Look at the pronouns themselves and get a feel for the kinds of words they are. Some of the types may have long labels, but the pronouns themselves are usually short words.
Lesson 21: Subject and object pronouns
Subject pronouns
Let’s look at the following sentences:
1a. Diplomats travel extensively.
1b. They travel extensively.
2a. Professor Susan Fields chaired the meeting.
2b. She chaired the meeting.
3a. Ben plays cards every week.
3b. He plays cards every week.
Notice that in each sentence pair, the underlined pronoun replaces the underlined noun. The underlined noun is doing the action in the sentence and comes before the verb. This kind of noun is called the subject of the sentence and the pronoun that replaces it is called a subject pronoun.
Now let’s examine these sentences:
4a. Biology is her favorite subject.
4b. It is her favorite subject.
5a. Bob seems happy.
5b. He seems happy.
6a. Mrs. Peters becomes agitated easily.
6b. She becomes agitated easily.
Notice again that in each sentence pair, the underlined pronoun replaces the underlined noun. Here, the underlined nouns come before linking verbs (see Lesson 9); although they are not performing an action, they are still considered to be subjects. Again, the pronoun that replaces the subject is a subject pronoun.
There are only seven subject pronouns; they are listed in Quick tip 21.1.
Quick tip 21.1
The subject pronouns are: I, you, he, she, it, we, they.
Test yourself 21.1
Underline the subject pronouns in the sentences below.
Sample: We wandered around town, looking for a place to have lunch.
Getting started (answers on p. 99)
1. I crossed the piazza and headed towards the church.
2. Unfortunately, it was closed.
3. They simply stood there, waiting for me.
4. Yesterday, she went shopping.
5. We should get together sometime.
More practice (answers on the website)
6. He is the grandson of an immigrant from Italy.
7. We often dream about important things.
8. You have been to their house for dinner.
9. They often have interesting discussions.
10. Last night they drove to San Francisco.
Object pronouns
7a. Karen bought the red car.
7b. Karen bought it.
8a. The prize was given to Steve and Bill.
8b. The prize was given to them.
9a. I’m watching the baby.
9b. I’m watching her.
The underlined nouns in the sentences above are not subjects. Rather, they are objects: they either follow the main verb or they follow a preposition. (For more on objects, see Unit 13.) Pronouns that replace objects, like those underlined in sentences 7b, 8b, and 9b above, are called object pronouns.
There are only seven object pronouns; they are listed in Quick tip 21.2.
Quick tip 21.2
The object pronouns are: me, you, her, him, it, us, them.
You can see that two pronouns, you and it, are particularly hardworking: they can function as either subject or object pronouns.
Test yourself 21.2
Underline the object pronouns in each of the sentences below. There may be more than one pronoun in a sentence.
Sample: Churchill called them to a meeting.
Getting started (answers on p. 99)
1. Mary heard him.
2. The detective watched us suspiciously.
3. Stop bothering me!
4. Steven sat down between him and her.
5. Do the students understand it?
More practice (answers on the website)
6. My friends have never heard of them.
7. Barry gave her a present.
8. Harry’s cousin lives near them.
9. Most competitors were envious of him.
10. A strange man is standing next to you and me.
Test yourself 21.3
Decide if each pronoun below is a subject or object pronoun.
Sample: we subject
Getting started (answers on p. 99)
1. them
2. he
3. I
4. us
5. her
More practice (answers on the website)
6. they
7. she
8. me
9. him
10. we
Test yourself 21.4
Underline the pronouns in each of the sentences below. Identify each either as a subject pronoun or an object pronoun. Keep in mind that the pronouns you and it can be either subject or object pronouns, depending on how they are being used. There may be more than one pronoun in a sentence.
Sample: You really did it right. (subject; object)
Getting started (answers on p. 99)
1. The clerk had been sent to work with him.
2. The research required them to work closely together.
3. It is brighter than that other lamp.
4. If you know the answer, please tell me.
5. We will be moving near you.
More practice (answers on the website)
6. They were hiding in the bushes.
7. I am giving it to you.
8. He went too far this time.
9. Theresa’s parents worried about her.
10. She hears from him often.
You know that when you’re talking about yourself, you use the pronouns I or me, and when you’re talking about a group of people, you use the pronouns they or them. That is, we choose different pronouns depending on the person or thing the pronouns refer to. Pronouns that vary in this way are called personal pronouns. Subject and object pronouns are types of personal pronouns; see Lessons 22 and 24 for two other kinds.
Personal pronouns that refer to the speaker in a conversation, like I and we, are called first person pronouns. Those that refer to the listener, like you, are called second person pronouns. And those that refer to anyone or anything else, like he or they, are called third person pronouns.
In addition, pronouns that refer to only one person or thing, like I and he, are called singular pronouns; those that refer to more than one person or thing, like we and they, are called plural pronouns.
Here’s a complete breakdown of the subject and object pronouns:
