What are subject and object pronouns?
A pronoun is a short word we use instead of a noun, so we do not repeat the noun. Subject pronouns (I, he, she, we, they) come before the verb. Object pronouns (me, him, her, us, them) usually come after the verb or after a preposition.
I know Maria. She works with me. I like her.
How to use subject and object pronouns: the table
| Subject pronoun | Object pronoun | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I | me | I love my job. / Call me later. |
| you | you | You are kind. / I can help you. |
| he | him | He is my boss. / I see him every day. |
| she | her | She lives here. / Ask her. |
| it | it | It is new. / I like it. |
| we | us | We are late. / Wait for us! |
| they | them | They are nice. / I know them. |
Note: you and it are the same in both columns.
Subject pronouns: before the verb
The subject = the person or thing that does the action. The subject pronoun usually comes before the verb.
| Subject | Verb | Rest |
|---|---|---|
| I | work | in a hotel. |
| She | drives | a red car. |
| We | live | in Calgary. |
| They | are | at home. |
More examples:
- My brother is a chef. He works in a restaurant.
- Emma is from Ireland. She is very funny.
- My parents live in Halifax. They have a dog.
Object pronouns: after the verb
The object = the person or thing that receives the action. The object pronoun comes after the verb.
| Subject | Verb | Object pronoun |
|---|---|---|
| I | love | you. |
| She | calls | me every day. |
| We | know | them. |
| The teacher | helps | us. |
More examples:
- Where is Tom? I can't see him.
- I have a new phone. I like it a lot.
- These are my neighbours. I often help them.
When to use object pronouns
1. After a verb
- Can you help me?
- I visit her every Sunday.
- Tell them the news.
2. After a preposition
A preposition = a small word like with, for, to, at, from, about, between. After a preposition, use an object pronoun.
- Come with me.
- This gift is for you.
- Look at him!
- She often talks about us.
- Send it to them.
3. In short answers
In everyday English, we use object pronouns in very short answers.
- Who wants tea? → Me!
- I'm hungry. → Me too.
- Who is it? → It's me.
"It is I" is very formal and very rare today. Say It's me.
"It" for things and animals, "they" for people and things
1. "It" for one thing or animal
Use it for one thing. Many people also use it for an animal when they do not know its sex.
- Where's my bag? It's in the car.
- I love this song. Play it again!
For a pet, people often use he or she: "This is my dog, Max. He's two."
2. "They" for two or more people or things
- My keys? They're on the table.
- I bought new shoes. I love them.
3. Singular "they"
We also use they / them for one person when we do not know if the person is a man or a woman, or when the person uses "they".
- Someone called. They left a message.
- A new student is coming. Please help them.
- Ask your doctor. They can tell you.
Singular "they" is correct and very common. The verb is still plural: they are, they have.
Subject vs object pronouns: "my friend and I" or "me and my friend"?
| Position | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| subject (before the verb) | my friend and I | My friend and I are at the cinema. |
| object (after a verb) | my friend and me | The teacher called my friend and me. |
| after a preposition | you and me | This is between you and me. |
Easy test: remove the other person.
- "My friend and (I / me) live here." → I live here. → My friend and I live here.
- "She invited my friend and (I / me)." → She invited me. → She invited my friend and me.
Honest note: in informal speech, many people say "Me and my friend are going out." You will hear this often. In writing, at work and in exams, use My friend and I. Also, it is polite to put yourself last: my friend and I, not "I and my friend".
You will also hear "between you and I". In careful English, the correct form is between you and me, because "between" is a preposition.
Common mistakes
1. Object pronoun as the subject
- Wrong:
Him is my brother. - Correct: He is my brother.
- Before the verb, use a subject pronoun.
2. Subject pronoun after a verb
- Wrong:
Can you help I? - Correct: Can you help me?
- After the verb, use an object pronoun.
3. Subject pronoun after a preposition
- Wrong:
This is for she. - Correct: This is for her.
- After a preposition, use an object pronoun.
4. Repeating the subject
- Wrong:
My sister she lives in Toronto. - Correct: My sister lives in Toronto. / She lives in Toronto.
- Use the noun or the pronoun, not both.
5. Forgetting "it"
- Wrong:
Is very cold today. - Correct: It is very cold today.
- English sentences need a subject. Use it for weather, time and distance.
6. Mixing up "them" and "their"
- Wrong:
I like them house. - Correct: I like their house.
- Their shows that something belongs to them. See Possessives.
Quick reference
| Subject | Object | Possessive (see Possessives) |
|---|---|---|
| I | me | my / mine |
| you | you | your / yours |
| he | him | his / his |
| she | her | her / hers |
| it | it | its |
| we | us | our / ours |
| they | them | their / theirs |
Common questions
Is it "I" or "me"?
Use I before the verb (the subject): I am tired. Use me after a verb or a preposition (the object): Call me. Come with me.
Is it "my friend and I" or "me and my friend"?
As the subject, the correct form is my friend and I: My friend and I are students. "Me and my friend" is common in informal speech, but use "my friend and I" in writing. As the object, say my friend and me: She saw my friend and me.
Can I use "they" for one person?
Yes. Use they for one person when you do not know if the person is a man or a woman, or when the person uses "they": Someone is at the door. They want to talk to you.
Practise next
- Possessives — my, your, mine, yours
- Verb To Be: Am, Is, Are — I am, she is, they are
- Word Order — where the subject and object go
- Sentence Builder game — build sentences with pronouns