Subject pronouns
I, you, he, she, it, we, they: the words that stand before the verb in place of a name.
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A subject pronoun stands in place of a person or a thing. It comes before the verb, and it tells us who or what does the action. We use it when we don't want to say the name again.
The seven pronouns
Who | One | More than one |
|---|---|---|
the speaker | I | we |
the listener | you | you |
another person | he, she | they |
a thing | it | they |
- I work in a hotel. We live near the sea.
- This is Daniel. He is my neighbour.
- My keys are on the table. They are next to the phone.
A name first, then the pronoun
We usually say the name or the noun once. After that, the pronoun takes its place.
- Maria is a nurse. She works at night.
- My brother lives in Glasgow. He has a small flat there.
- Ben and I are colleagues. We work in the same office.
- Incorrect: Where is Tom? Is at the office.
- Correct: Where is Tom? He's at the office.A normal English sentence needs a subject before the verb.
I is always a capital letter
I is one letter, and we always write it as a capital, even in the middle of a sentence.
- My friend and I often go to the cinema.
- I think I know the answer.
- Incorrect: Can i pay by card?
- Correct: Can I pay by card?
You: one person or many
You is the same word for one person and for a group. The verb after you is also the same: you are, you work.
- Lena, you are late again.
- Welcome, everyone. You are in room four today.
(Here you means all the people in the room.)
He and she: people
Use he for a man or a boy and she for a woman or a girl.
- My boss is very kind. She always says thank you.
- Ask the driver. He knows the way.
It: things, places and most animals
Use it for one thing or one place. In English, words for things are not male or female, so we use it, not he or she. For an animal we usually say it. For a pet in the family, people often say he or she.
- I like this jacket. It is warm and light.
- Where is the station? It's near the bank.
- I don't like this town. It is too noisy.
- Incorrect: I've got a new laptop. He is very fast.
- Correct: I've got a new laptop. It is very fast.A laptop is a thing, so we say it.
- Incorrect: The kitchen is small, but she is nice.
- Correct: The kitchen is small, but it is nice.
They: more than one
Use they for two or more people, and for two or more things.
- Hana and Omar are from Cairo. They are teachers.
- These shoes are new, but they aren't comfortable.
- Incorrect: My glasses are on the desk. It is in a black case.
- Correct: My glasses are on the desk. They are in a black case.Glasses is a plural word, so we use they.