In this chapter
In Chapter 1 you learned that every English sentence needs a subject. Very often that subject is a small word such as I, she or they. These words are called subject pronouns.
A pronoun stands in place of a noun. Instead of saying Anna is a teacher. Anna works in Madrid. Anna likes her job., we say the name once and then use she. This makes English shorter and more natural. In this chapter you will learn all seven subject pronouns and when to use each one.
Learning objectives
By the end of this chapter
- I can name the seven subject pronouns: I, you, he, she, it, we, they.
- I can use a pronoun instead of a name I have already said.
- I can use it for things, the weather and the time.
- I can choose between you, we and they.
The seven subject pronouns
A subject pronoun replaces the person or thing that does the action. It comes before the verb.
| Pronoun | Who or what? | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I | the speaker — me | I am a student. |
| you | the person you are talking to (one or more) | You are my friend. |
| he | one man or boy | He is my brother. |
| she | one woman or girl | She is a nurse. |
| it | one thing, animal or place | It is a big city. |
| we | me and other people | We are late. |
| they | other people or things | They are from Brazil. |
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I ( subject ) am ( verb ) a student. ( complement )
I = the speaker.
-
She ( subject ) is ( verb ) my sister. ( complement )
she = one woman or girl.
-
They ( subject ) are ( verb ) from Brazil. ( place )
they = more than one person.
-
He ( subject ) works ( verb ) in a bank. ( place )
he = one man or boy.
Quick check___ are my parents.
Using a pronoun instead of a name
We say a name or a noun the first time. After that we use a pronoun, so we don't repeat the same words again and again.
-
Anna is a teacher. She works in Madrid.
She = Anna.
-
My brother is twenty. He is a student.
He = my brother.
-
This is my phone. It is new.
It = my phone.
-
Tom and I are friends. We play tennis.
We = Tom and I.
| Noun | Pronoun |
|---|---|
| my father | he |
| my mother | she |
| the book | it |
| my friends | they |
| Tom and I | we |
| you and Anna | you |
Quick checkMy sister is a doctor. ___ works in a hospital.
It: things, places, the weather and the time
Use it for one thing, place or animal. We also use it for the weather, the time and the day — here it has no real meaning, but English still needs a subject.
The pattern
It + is + weather / time / day
It is sunny. It is ten o'clock. It is Monday.
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It ( subject ) is ( verb ) sunny ( complement ) today. ( time )
The weather.
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It ( subject ) is ( verb ) ten o'clock. ( complement )
The time.
-
Where is my bag? It is on the chair.
It = my bag, a thing.
-
London is big. It is a busy city.
It = London, a place.
Quick check___ is very hot today.
One or many: you, we and they
You is the same for one person and for many people. We always includes the speaker. They is for other people or things — more than one.
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You ( subject ) are ( verb ) my best friend. ( complement )
you = one person.
-
Welcome, everyone! You are all very welcome.
you = many people — the same word.
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We ( subject ) are ( verb ) students. ( complement )
we = me and other people.
-
These shoes are nice, but they are expensive.
they can mean things, not only people.
Quick checkPut the words in order.
Errors to avoid
These are the mistakes learners make most often with this grammar. Read the wrong sentence, then the right one, and notice the change.
-
Incorrect: Is a teacher.
Correct: She is a teacher.
An English sentence needs a subject — don't drop the pronoun.
-
Incorrect: Me am happy.
Correct: I am happy.
Use I, not me, before the verb.
-
Incorrect: My father he works in a bank.
Correct: My father works in a bank.
Use the noun or the pronoun, not both.
-
Incorrect: This book is great. He is very funny.
Correct: This book is great. It is very funny.
Use it for things, not he or she.
Hear it in use
Listen to the whole conversation first. Then play one line at a time and say it after the speaker. The words in colour are this chapter’s grammar.
Conversation
Family photos
Lucy and Sam are looking at photos on Sam's phone.
- Lucy
Who is this in the photo?
- Sam
That's my sister, Emma. She is a nurse.
She = Emma.
- Lucy
And who are these people?
- Sam
They are my parents. They live in Manchester.
They = my parents, more than one person.
- Lucy
Oh, and is that your dog?
- Sam
Yes! His name is Max. He is very friendly.
People often say he or she for their own pet.
- Lucy
Is this you, on the left?
- Sam
Yes, I am on the left. We are at the beach in Wales.
We = Sam and his family.
- Lucy
It is a lovely photo.
It = the photo, a thing.
- Sam
Thanks. It is my favourite.
What to remember
- 1 The subject pronouns are I, you, he, she, it, we and they.
- 2 Say a name once, then use a pronoun: Anna is a teacher. She works in Madrid.
- 3 Use it for things, places, most animals, the weather and the time: It is cold.
- 4 You is the same for one person or many. We includes you. They is for other people or things.
- 5 Use one subject only: My father works, not My father he works.
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| the speaker | I | we |
| the listener | you | you |
| other people and things | he / she / it | they |
Test yourself
Knowledge check
22 questions on Subject Pronouns
One question at a time, with an explanation after every answer. Score 18 or more (80%) and the chapter is marked complete.