What is Subject Pronoun? Definition, Types and Examples

Subject pronoun is a word that replaces nouns in a sentence and act as the subject, doing the action. For example, instead of saying John went to the store, we can simply say He went to the store. Common subject pronouns include I, you, he, she, it, we, and they. These pronouns help make sentences shorter and clearer by avoiding repetition.

Knowing how to use subject pronouns correctly is important for speaking and writing clearly. In this blog, we will explain what subject pronouns are, how to use them, and the common mistakes to avoid, along with examples to help you get them right.

What is Subject Pronoun?

A subject pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun and functions as the subject of a sentence. It performs the action in a sentence and helps avoid redundancy. Instead of repeating a noun multiple times, we use subject pronouns to make sentences flow better.

Examples of Subject Pronouns:

• I
• You
• He
• She
• It
• We
• They

Example Sentences:

• John is a teacher. He loves teaching.
• Mary and I went to the park. We had fun.
• The cat is sleeping. It looks comfortable.

In each of these sentences, the subject pronoun replaces the noun to avoid unnecessary repetition.

Explore: What are Pronouns? Check Definition, Classification, Types

Types of Subject Pronouns

Subject pronouns are categorised into three types: singular (I, you, he, she, it), plural (we, you, they), and neutral (it, they in singular for gender-neutral use). They replace nouns as subjects, ensuring clarity and avoiding repetition in sentences.

Let us explore different types of subject pronouns in different personal pronouns (first person, second person, and third person).

1. First-Person Subject Pronouns

First-person subject pronouns refer to the speaker or speakers. These include I (singular) and we (plural). They are used as the subject of a sentence, performing the action. Example: I run.

These pronouns refer to the speaker or writer.

• Singular: I
• Plural: We

Example Sentences:

• I love reading books.
• We are going on vacation next week.

2. Second-Person Subject Pronouns

Second-person subject pronouns refer to the person or people being spoken to. The pronoun you is used for both singular and plural subjects. Example: You are my friend. This pronoun is used when directly addressing someone.

• Singular & Plural: You

Example Sentences:

• You are my best friend.
• You need to submit your assignment by Monday.

3. Third-Person Subject Pronouns

Third-person subject pronouns refer to someone or something being spoken about. They include he, she, it, and they. Example: She is going to the market, or They are playing football. These pronouns refer to someone or something else.

• Singular: He (for males), She (for females), It (for objects or animals)
• Plural: They (for multiple people, animals, or objects)

Example Sentences:

• He plays football every weekend.
• She is an excellent musician.
• It is raining outside.
• They went to the cinema last night.

Also Read: What is the Difference Between Nouns and Pronouns

Rules for Using Subject Pronouns

Using subject pronouns correctly is essential for clear and grammatically correct sentences. Here are some important rules to follow:

1. A Subject Pronoun Must Always Act as the Subject

A subject pronoun should be used only in the subject position of a sentence and must be followed by a verb.

Example: She sings beautifully. 

She is the correct subject pronoun used here. It is placed in the subject position of the sentence and followed by the verb sings.

2. Use Subject Pronouns to Avoid Repetition

Instead of repeating a noun, replace it with a subject pronoun.

Example: John is my brother. He loves playing football.

Here, John is replaced with the subject pronoun he to avoid repeating the same noun and make the sentence smoother.

3. Match the Subject Pronoun with the Correct Verb Form

The verb must agree in number and person with the subject pronoun.

Example:

• He is my best friend. (Singular)

The subject pronoun he is singular, so the verb is (singular form of to be) is used.

• They are my classmates. (Plural)

The subject pronoun they is plural, so the verb are (plural form of to be) is used.

4. Use It for Singular Objects, Animals, and Concepts

When referring to objects, animals (when gender is unknown), or abstract concepts, use it.

Example:

The book is interesting. It has a great story.

It refers to the book, which is a non-living object. It is used for singular, non-living things, animals (without gender specification), or abstract concepts like weather, time, or feelings.

5. Use They for Gender-Neutral or Unknown Gender Cases

If you are referring to a person whose gender is unknown or non-binary, they is commonly used.

Example:

Someone left their phone here. I hope they come back for it.

The word someone refers to an unknown person, so the pronoun they is used to avoid assuming gender. In cases where the gender of the person is unknown or the person prefers not to be identified by a specific gender, they is used as a gender-neutral pronoun. This usage of they is widely accepted for inclusivity and neutrality in modern English.

Check out: Subject Pronouns Exercises with Answers

Subject Pronouns vs. Object Pronouns

It is important not to confuse subject pronouns with object pronouns. Subject pronouns perform the action, while object pronouns receive the action.

Subject pronouns (I, you, he, she) are used as the subject of a sentence, meaning they perform the action (She reads a book). Object pronouns (me, you, him, her) receive the action of the verb (He called me). Using them incorrectly, such as saying Me went to the store instead of I went to the store, is a common grammatical mistake.

Here are examples of the subject pronouns and object pronouns in a comparative manner:

Subject Pronoun	Object Pronoun
I	Me
You	You
He	Him
She	Her
It	It
We	Us
They	Them

Example Sentences:

• She gave me a gift. (She is the subject, me is the object)
• We invited them to the party. (We is the subject, them is the object)

Read: What are Relative Pronouns?

Common Mistakes to Avoid when Using Subject Pronouns

A common mistake with subject pronouns is using the wrong case, like saying Him and I went to the store instead of He and I. Another error is unclear pronoun reference, where it’s unclear who she or they refers to. Always ensure agreement with the verb.

Here are some errors learners often make while using subject pronouns and how to fix them.

1. Using an Object Pronoun Instead of a Subject Pronoun

Object pronouns are used as the object of a verb or a preposition in a sentence (e.g., me, him, her, us, them). Subject pronouns are used as the subject of a sentence (e.g., I, he, she, we, they).

For example:

Incorrect: “Me and Sarah are going to the store.”
“Me” is an object pronoun, but it’s being used incorrectly as the subject of the sentence.

Correct: “Sarah and I are going to the store.”
“I” is the correct subject pronoun used here. “I” is the subject of the sentence (the people who are going to the store), so it should replace “me.”

2. Using a Subject Pronoun Where an Object Pronoun is Needed

Subject Pronouns are used when the pronoun is the subject of the sentence (the person or thing performing the action), while Object Pronouns are used when the pronoun is receiving the action (the person or thing being affected by the action).

For example:

Incorrect: The teacher gave he a book.

In this sentence, the pronoun he is incorrectly used as the object of the verb “gave.” He is a subject pronoun, which is meant to be used when the pronoun is doing the action, not receiving it.

Correct: The teacher gave him a book.

Here, him is the correct object pronoun because it is the person receiving the action of the verb “gave. He is the subject of a sentence, so it would be used in sentences like: He runs fast (where he is the one doing the running). Him is the object of a sentence, used when the person is receiving the action: She gave him a book (where him is receiving the book).

3. Confusing It and They

“It” and “They” are both pronouns, but they serve different purposes based on number (singular vs. plural) and whether the noun refers to a singular or plural subject.

For Example:

Incorrect: The dogs is barking. It are very loud.

In this sentence, there are two mistakes:

• The subject “dogs” is plural, but the verb is is singular.
• The pronoun it is incorrectly used to refer to the plural subject “dogs.” It is singular, so it shouldn’t be used for plural nouns like “dogs.”
  

Correct: The dogs are barking. They are very loud.

Here, the verb are is correctly used with the plural subject “dogs.” The pronoun they is used to refer to the plural noun “dogs.”

Subject Pronouns Exercises

In this section, we have compiled some subject pronouns questions to test your understanding of this topic. Let us practice!!

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct subject pronouns (I, he, she, we, they, it).

1. ___ am going to the store later today. (First-person singular)

2. ___ is my best friend. (Third-person singular, male)

3. The sun is shining brightly. ___ makes everything look so beautiful. (Third-person singular, object)

4. My family loves hiking. ___ go to the mountains every year. (First-person plural)

5. The children are playing outside. ___ are having fun. (Third-person plural)

6. ___ is a very interesting book. (Third-person singular, object)

7. I have a meeting later. ___ starts at 3 PM. (First-person singular)

8. ___ is always helpful to others. (Third-person singular, female)

9. My parents are busy. ___ are working from home today. (Third-person plural)

10. I have a dog. ___ is very playful. (Third-person singular, object)

Answers:

1. I 2. He 3. It 4. We 5. They 6. It 7. It 8. She 9. They 10. It

Exercise 2: Complete the sentences using the correct subject pronouns. But here’s the twist — after filling in each blank, imagine you’re the main character in the story! Answer the questions based on the situation.

1. _______ (I, you, he, she) am a brave adventurer who loves exploring new places.

2. _______ (They, we, it) discovered a hidden treasure chest in the forest!

3. _______ (He, she, they) are planning to open the chest but need a map first.

4. _______ (You, I, we) are the hero of this story, so it’s up to you to find the key!

5. The dragon in the cave roars loudly, but _______ (it, we, I) bravely approach anyway.

6. _______ (She, he, they) found the secret door behind the waterfall that leads to the treasure.

7. _______ (I, we, you) are nearly there, just one final step to unlock the treasure!

8. The dragon seems calm now. _______ (It, we, you) finally get to open the treasure chest.

9. _______ (They, we, you) will be famous for finding the treasure and saving the kingdom.

10. _______ (He, she, I) look around and see the sparkling treasure inside, it is everything you dreamed of.

Answers:

1. I am a brave adventurer who loves exploring new places. 2. They discovered a hidden treasure chest in the forest! 3. They are planning to open the chest but need a map first. 4. 4. You are the hero of this story, so it’s up to you to find the key! 5. The dragon in the cave roars loudly, but I bravely approach anyway. 6. She found the secret door behind the waterfall that leads to the treasure. 7. We are nearly there, just one final step to unlock the treasure! 8. The dragon seems calm now. We finally get to open the treasure chest. 9. You will be famous for finding the treasure and saving the kingdom. 10. I look around and see the sparkling treasure inside, it is everything you dreamed of!

Must Read: Pronoun Exercise with Answers: PDF Available

Understanding subject pronouns is essential for proper sentence structure and effective communication. These pronouns replace nouns in the subject position and help make sentences more natural and less repetitive. By following the rules and avoiding common mistakes, you can improve your grammar skills and write more clearly. Keep practicing with exercises and examples to master the use of subject pronouns in daily conversations and writing.

Explore topics on Pronouns below:

What are Possessive Pronouns?	Personal Pronoun Exercises
What are Emphatic Pronouns?	Relative Pronoun Exercises
What is Demonstrative Pronoun?	Reflexive Pronoun Exercise

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