Subject pronouns
Definition
Subject pronouns replace the person or thing performing, experiencing or being described by the verb. The English subject pronouns are I, you, he, she, it, we and they.
Examples
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Mara is a designer. She works from home.
She replaces Mara as the subject of the second sentence.
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The keys are on the table. They are beside the lamp.
They replaces the plural noun the keys.
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My brother and I live nearby. We often visit.
We includes the speaker and another person.
Subject pronoun vs. object pronoun
She called me.
She performs the action.
She called me.
Me receives the action.
A subject pronoun normally appears before the finite verb. An object pronoun appears after a verb or preposition.
English normally requires an expressed subject
Unlike some languages, English usually does not omit the subject pronoun simply because the verb form or context makes the subject clear.
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It is raining.
It fills the subject position even though it does not refer to a specific object.
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I am tired, but I will finish this.
The subject is repeated in the second clause.
Common mistakes
Is very cold today.
It is very cold today.
Weather expressions normally require the subject it.
Me work on Mondays.
I work on Mondays.
Use the subject form I before the verb.
Quick check
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence uses the correct subject pronoun for Mina and I?
We is the subject pronoun that includes the speaker and another person.Which sentence correctly replaces the book with a subject pronoun?
A singular thing is normally replaced by it.Which weather sentence has the required subject?
English weather expressions use dummy subject it.Nice work — you've completed the quick check.
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