Subject Pronouns (e.g.: I, he, we)

Subject Pronouns

Subject pronouns are words that replace nouns and usually come before a verb.

Examples:

• I broke the vase.

• We watched the movie.

• She lives in Toronto.

• They arrived early.

In these sentences, the subject pronouns tell us who performs the action.

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English Subject Pronouns

English has the following subject pronouns:

Pronoun	Person	Number
I	first	singular
we	first	plural
you	second	singular or plural
he	third	singular
she	third	singular
it	third	singular
they	third	plural

Examples:

• I am tired.

• We are ready.

• You look happy.

• He works here.

• She studies English.

• It is raining.

• They live nearby.

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Subject-Verb Agreement

In the present tense, English verbs usually have the same form for all subjects except he, she, and it.

Compare:

• I work.

• You work.

• We work.

• They work.

But:

• He works.

• She works.

• It works.

Notice the -s on the verb.

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Common ESL Errors

Missing the -s with he, she, or it

• He work every day. ❌

• He works every day. ✅

• She like coffee. ❌

• She likes coffee. ✅

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Subject Pronouns Are Usually Required

Many languages allow speakers to omit the subject pronoun. English usually does not.

Examples:

• I want a coffee. ✅

• Want a coffee. ❌

• She lives here. ✅

• Lives here. ❌

The main exception is commands (imperatives):

• Open the door.

• Sit down.

In these cases, the subject you is understood.

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You and I or You and Me?

Many learners find these forms confusing.

Use you and I when the phrase is the subject of a verb.

Examples:

• You and I are friends.

• You and I should leave now.

Use you and me after a preposition.

Examples:

• This is between you and me.

• She sat beside you and me.

A simple test is to remove one person:

• I am happy. ✅

• Me am happy. ❌

Therefore:

• You and I are happy. ✅

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Common ESL Errors

Using object pronouns as subjects

• Me and him are friends. ❌

• He and I are friends. ✅

• Her and me went shopping. ❌

• She and I went shopping. ✅

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The Pronoun "You"

English uses you for:

• one person

• more than one person

• formal situations

• informal situations

Examples:

• You are my friend. (one person)

• You are my friends. (more than one person)

Unlike many languages, English does not usually have different words for formal and informal "you".

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Subject and Object Forms

Subject	Object
I	me
we	us
you	you
he	him
she	her
it	it
they	them

Examples:

• I saw him.

• She helped us.

• They invited me.

Remember:

• Subject pronouns come before verbs.

• Object pronouns usually come after verbs or prepositions.

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Is "Thou" Used in English?

English once used thou as an informal singular form of "you".

Examples from older English:

• Thou art kind.

• I give thanks unto thee.

Today, thou is considered archaic and is not used in normal conversation.

Modern English uses you instead.

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Common Confusions

your vs. you're

• your = possession

  • Is this your book?

• you're = you are

  • You're very kind.

Examples:

• Your car is new. ✅

• You're late today. ✅

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its vs. it's

• its = possession

  • The dog wagged its tail.

• it's = it is

  • It's raining.

Examples:

• The company changed its name. ✅

• It's a beautiful day. ✅

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Quick Rule

Use a subject pronoun before most English verbs:

• I work.

• She studies.

• They live here.

Remember:

• he, she, it usually need -s on the verb.

• Subject pronouns are usually required.

• Use you and I before a verb.

• Use you and me after a preposition.

Examples:

• You and I are ready. ✅

• Between you and me, that's a bad idea. ✅

• Me and him are ready. ❌

• He and I are ready. ✅