Subject Pronoun: Definition, Uses and Examples

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Updated: Feb 4, 2025

Lesson

Pronouns are essential words that make language less repetitive and more efficient. And subject pronouns help streamline communication by standing in for the subject of a sentence-the person or thing performing the action.

Without them, sentences would sound clunky and unnatural. Understanding subject pronouns and their correct usage is essential for constructing grammatically sound and clear sentences.

What Are Subject Pronouns?

Subject pronouns are a type of pronoun that functions as the subject of a verb in a sentence. They are classified based on person (first, second, or third), number (singular or plural), and gender (masculine, feminine, or neuter), and their form reflects these grammatical categories.

Subject pronouns include I, you, he, she, it, we, and they.

I: It refers to the speaker.
Example: I went to the store.
You: It refers to the person or people being addressed.
Example: You are a good friend.
He: It refers to a male person or animal.
Example: He is playing soccer.
She: It refers to a female person or animal.
Example: She is reading a book.
It: This refers to a non-human thing or animal.
Example: It is raining outside.
We: It refers to the speaker and one or more other people.
Example: We are going to the movies.
They: It refers to two or more people or things.
Example: They are playing in the park.

How to Use Subject Pronouns in Sentences

Subject pronouns take the place of nouns that are doing the action in a sentence. Here's how to use them correctly:

1. Identify the Subject:

First, find the noun that is performing the action in the sentence. This noun is the subject.

Example: The dog barked at the mailman. ("The dog" is doing the action of barking.)

2. Replace the Subject With the Correct Pronoun:

Once you've identified the subject, replace it with the appropriate subject pronoun based on the noun it's replacing:

Person: Use "I," "you," "he," "she," "we," or "they."
Number: Use a singular pronoun (like "he" or "she") for a singular noun and a plural pronoun (like "we" or "they") for a plural noun.
Gender: Use "he" for masculine nouns, "she" for feminine nouns, and "it" for neuter nouns.

Example: The dog barked at the mailman. → It barked at the mailman.

3. Check the Sentence:

Make sure the sentence makes sense and sounds natural with the subject pronoun.

Examples:

My friends are coming over later. → They are coming over later.
Mark went to the store. → He went to the store.
The cat sat on the mat. → It sat on the mat.

Subject Pronouns Examples

Explore how subject pronoun examples replace nouns in different sentence structures:

1. Simple Sentences:

The train was delayed. → It was delayed.
My parents love to travel. → They love to travel.

2. Compound Sentences:

The students finished their exams, and the students went home. → The students finished their exams, and they went home.
Emily baked a cake, but Emily forgot the frosting. → Emily baked a cake, but she forgot the frosting.

3. Complex Sentences:

When the teacher arrived, the teacher started the lesson. → When the teacher arrived, she started the lesson.
Although the movie was long, the movie was interesting. → Although the movie was long, it was interesting.