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Pronouns replace nouns to avoid repetition. A subject pronoun replaces a noun that performs the action expressed by a verb. Object pronouns are usually found after the verb or after a preposition.
| Subject pronouns | Object pronouns | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| I | Me | I have a question. Can you help me? |
| You | You | You look hungry. Can I offer you something to eat? |
| He | Him | He is very rude. His supervisor should talk to him. |
| She | Her | She wants her partner to pick her up from the office. |
| It | It | The dog never stops barking. It doesn’t stop it. |
| We | Us | We wondered if you would help us with that project. |
| They | Them | They prefer employees to speak English to them. |
Indefinite pronouns replace undetermined subjects or objects. They are always followed by the third-person singular.
| Pronouns | Meaning and examples |
|---|---|
| Someone / somebody / something | The lobby has been vandalized. Someone must have seen something! |
| Anyone / anybody / anything | Has anyone heard the fire alarm? I didn’t hear anything. |
| Everyone / everybody / everything | During a fire drill, everyone must leave the building as quickly as possible. Leave everything behind. |
| No one / nobody / nothing | No one knows what happened. People know nothing about it. |
Possessive determiners and pronouns express ownership or association.
| Possessive determiners | Possessive pronouns | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| My | Mine | Please be careful when you drive my car. That black car over there is mine. |
| Your | Yours | Can I use your calculator? Yours is more reliable. |
| His | His | His bags are all over the lobby. This backpack is also his. |
| Her | Hers | Her lipstick is bright red. That one is hers. |
| Its | – | That hotel has refurbished its rooms. |
| Our | Ours | We are packing our suitcases. That pile of clothing is ours. |
| Their | Theirs | Most people take their vacation in July or August, but my colleagues take theirs in September. |
Working as a team – Grammar