Identify and use subject, object, and reflexive pronouns
Similar to a noun, a pronoun is one of the eight essential parts of speech.
A pronoun is a word that acts as a substitute or a replacement for a noun. Pronouns are used to avoid the repetition of the same noun within a sentence. Similar to nouns, pronouns can stand for people, things, ideas, and places1.
1. What are Subject Pronouns?
A pronoun that appears before the verb in a sentence is a subject pronoun2.
Subject pronouns are the ones that act in the sentence, or tell us who or what the sentence talks about. They can be singular or plural, depending on whether they represent one person or multiple people3.
Fig 3.1: Illustration of Subject Pronouns
Watch the video provided below to understand how subject pronouns are used in sentences.
(vid 3.1: Subject Pronouns)
2. What are Object Pronouns?
A pronoun that appears after the verb in a sentence is an object pronoun4.
Object pronouns replace a person, animal, or a thing that receives actions in sentences. Just like subject pronouns, even object pronouns can be singular or plural, depending on whether they represent one person or multiple people5.
Watch the given video to understand how object pronouns are used in sentences.
(vid 3.2: Object Pronouns)
Click here to check if you can sort the subject and object pronouns correctly.
3. What are Reflexive Pronouns?
Reflexive pronouns are used to indicate that the subject of a sentence is performing an action on itself6,7.
These pronouns can be singular or plural, depending on whether they represent one person or multiple people.
Watch the given video to understand how reflexive pronouns are used in sentences.
(vid 3.3: Reflexive Pronouns)
Extension/Further Reading:
1. Click on the link to access further information on reflexive pronouns. Feel free to choose any interactive game to test your knowledge of this topic.
References
1 What is a Pronoun? Scribbr (2023) (link)
2 Subject Pronouns- English Grammar Lessons. ESL Library (2021) (link)
3 Subject Pronouns English Grammar. Grammar CL (n.d.) (link)
4 Object Pronouns English Grammar Lessons. ESL Library (2021) (link)
5 Subject and Object Pronouns. EC English (2013) (link)
6 Reflexive Pronouns. Turtle Diary (n.d.) (link)
7 Reflexive Pronouns. Sribbr (2023) (link)