English Grammar Guide for ESL

Object Pronouns (e.g.: me, her, us)

On this page: Description, Exercises

Description

Object Pronouns

Object pronouns are words that replace nouns when they receive the action of a verb or follow a preposition.

Examples:

  • Mary saw me.

  • John spoke to her.

  • They invited us.

  • She called him.

In these sentences, the object pronouns receive the action rather than perform it.

English Object Pronouns

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

Examples:

  • She helped me.

  • We saw them.

  • I called him.

  • They invited us.

Learning the difference between subject and object pronouns is important because English uses different forms for these (except for you).

Where Do Object Pronouns Appear?

Object pronouns usually appear:

After a Verb

  • She saw me.

  • I know him.

  • They invited us.

After a Preposition

  • She spoke to him.

  • This gift is for her.

  • They sat beside us.

Direct and Indirect Objects

There are two common types of objects.

Direct Objects

A direct object receives the action of the verb directly.

Examples:

  • I saw him.

  • She called me.

  • They invited us.

Questions:

  • Whom did I see? → him

  • Whom did she call? → me

Indirect Objects

An indirect object receives something or benefits from an action.

Examples:

  • I gave him the book.

  • She sent me a message.

  • They showed us the photos.

In these examples:

  • him, me, and us are indirect objects.

  • the book, a message, and the photos are direct objects.

Two Possible Word Orders

Many common verbs allow two patterns:

Pattern 1

verb + direct object + to + indirect object

  • I gave the book to him.

  • She sent the message to me.

Pattern 2

verb + indirect object + direct object

  • I gave him the book.

  • She sent me the message.

Both patterns are correct.

Not All Verbs Allow Both Patterns

Some longer verbs are usually followed by a preposition.

Examples:

  • I donated the money to the charity. ✅

  • I donated the charity the money. ❌

  • She explained the problem to us. ✅

  • She explained us the problem. ❌

Many common short verbs allow both patterns:

  • give

  • send

  • show

  • tell

  • offer

Examples:

  • She told me the story.

  • She told the story to me.

Subject Pronouns vs. Object Pronouns

A very common ESL mistake is using object pronouns as subjects.

Compare:

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

Examples:

  • He and I are friends. ✅

  • Me and him are friends. ❌

  • She and I went shopping. ✅

  • Her and me went shopping. ❌

Common ESL Errors

Using an object pronoun as a subject

  • Me like pizza. ❌

  • I like pizza. ✅

  • Him works here. ❌

  • He works here. ✅

Using a subject pronoun after a preposition

  • This is for I. ❌

  • This is for me. ✅

  • She sat beside he. ❌

  • She sat beside him. ✅

Object Pronouns After Prepositions

Use object pronouns after:

  • to

  • for

  • with

  • from

  • beside

  • between

  • about

Examples:

  • This letter is for her.

  • Come with us.

  • They spoke about him.

  • The secret is between you and me.

Quick Rule

Use object pronouns:

  • after verbs

    • She saw me.

    • I know him.

  • after prepositions

    • This gift is for her.

    • Come with us.

Remember:

  • I, we, he, she, they = subject pronouns

  • me, us, him, her, them = object pronouns

Examples:

  • He and I are friends. ✅

  • Me and him are friends. ❌

  • This is for me. ✅

  • This is for I. ❌

Exercises

Choose the correct form:

Can you help (me, I, my) with my homework?
I saw Sarah yesterday. I talked to (her, she, hers) after class.
We invited John to the party, but he couldn't join (us, we, our).
The teacher asked (him, he, his) a question.
Please give the book to (them, they, their).
My parents called (me, I, mine) last night.
I know Anna. Do you know (her, she, hers) too?
The dog followed (us, we, our) all the way home.
Can you hear (it, its, he)?
She thanked (him, he, his) for his help.
The waiter brought (us, we, our) the menu.
I will meet (you, your, yours) at the station.
They invited (me, I, mine) to dinner.
The children saw (them, they, their) at the park.
Please tell (her, she, hers) the good news.

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