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A pronoun is a word that replaces and refers to a noun.  It is used in exactly the same way as the noun it replaces.
            Bill gave the book to Chris.
            He gave the book to me.
There are four types of pronouns:  subject pronouns, possessive pronouns, object pronouns, and reflexive pronouns.

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Subject Pronouns 

A subject pronoun replaces a noun that is used as a subject.
            The Chiefs are my favorite football players.
               subject                                  
            They are my favorite football players.

The following are subject pronouns:
            Singular:  I, you, he, she, it
            Plural:  we, you, they

Try the following sentences (the subject is in bold):

1. The man typed a letter.  Then sent it.
2. The woman is staying home today.  Tomorrow,  will return.
3. The people are having a meeting.  Soon  will make a decision.
4. The phone is working now.  Yesterday  was broken.
5. The phone on my desk rang, so  answered it.
6. The other workers and I studied the plans all morning.  At noon, stopped for lunch.
7. The salesman is very good.  Last week,  sold more than anyone.

Click here for answers 1. he 2. she 3. they 4. it 5. I 6. we 7. he (back to top)

But wait….There’s more to learn about subject pronouns (aren't you excited?)!

Nouns and pronouns are often joined with and or or.  Sometimes it may be difficult to know what kind of pronoun to use with the noun.  (Remember, subject pronouns are only used to replace a subject or part of a subject).

*HINT:  If you’re not sure which pronoun is correct when a pronoun appears with a noun, try thinking of the pronoun by itself in the sentence.
            Lee and Frank are absent today.
           (He, Him) and Frank are absent today.
            Him is absent today.  (Nope, that's not right)
            He is absent today.  (Yeah, that's better)

            He and Frank are absent today.

Subject pronouns are also used to rename the subject following a verb of being (am, are, is, was, were, and verbs with be and been).  If the pronoun that follows a verb of being is the same as the noun before the verb, use the subject pronoun.
            The chairperson has been Maria Tso.
            The chairperson has been she.

            Of the two people who have been hired, Barry and Sharon are former teachers.
            Of the two people who have been hired, Barry and she are former teachers.

*HINT: It sounds a little awkward at first but if you get confused, try switching the pronoun to the front of the sentence to see if it makes sense.
            The chairperson has been Maria Tso.

            The chairperson has been her.
            Her has been the chairperson. (Incorrect)

            The chairperson has been she.
            She has been the chairperson.  (Correct!)

 

Try the following sentences:

8. The only guests who arrived on time were them they .
9. He and me He and I  eat supper together every Friday.
10. My two friends Julian and she Julian and her  planned a surprise party for me last week.
11. Did they them  sell more tickets to the benefit than the rest of us?
12. Since we had such a terrific time together, you and he you and him  should plan to visit us again soon.
13. In the beginning, we us  learned the most from the class.
14. It is I me  who sent the anonymous flowers.
15. Although it seems as if we moved in only yesterday, the Porters and us the Porters and we  have lived in this area for several years now.
16. Our most humorous co-worker is him he .
17. Although you and I me  both love baseball, I go to more games.
18. We Us  invited the Greens to play on Friday night.
19. Tina and I me  are in the same classes together.
20. He Him  often asks his friend Todd for advice.
21. William and her she  both have similar interests.
22. You and him You and he  both did very well on the test.

Click here for answers 8. they 9. He and I 10. Julian and she 11. they 12. you and he 13. we 14. I 15. The Porters and we 16. he 17. I 18. We 19. I 20. He 21. she 22. You and he (back to top)