Subject and object pronouns Worksheet Practice Exercises with Answers

Subject Pronouns

Let's look at the following sentences:

1a. Diplomats travel extensively.
1b. They travel extensively.
2a. Professor Susan Fields chaired the meeting.
2b. She chaired the meeting.
3a. Ben plays cards every week.
3b. He plays cards every week.

Notice that in each sentence pair, the underlined pronoun replaces the underlined noun. The underlined noun is doing the action in the sentence and comes before the verb. This kind of noun is called the subject of the sentence and the pronoun that replaces it is called a subject pronoun.

Now let's examine these sentences:

4a. Biology is her favorite subject.
4b. It is her favorite subject.
5a. Bob seems happy.
5b. He seems happy.
6a. Mrs. Peters becomes agitated easily.
6b. She becomes agitated easily.

Notice again that in each sentence pair, the underlined pronoun replaces the underlined noun. Here, the underlined nouns come before linking verbs (see Lesson 9); although they are not performing an action, they are still considered to be subjects. Again, the pronoun that replaces the subject is a subject pronoun.

There are only seven subject pronouns; they are listed in Quick Tip 21.1.

Quick Tip 21.1

The subject pronouns are: I, you, he, she, it, we, they.

Question 1. Underline the subject pronouns in the sentences below.
Sample: We wandered around town, looking for a place to have lunch.

Getting Started

Question 1. I crossed the piazza and headed towards the church.
Answer: I
In simple words: The word "I" is the subject pronoun that performs the action of crossing and heading.

Exam Tip: Subject pronouns always come before the verb and show who is doing the action.

Question 2. Unfortunately, it was closed.
Answer: it
In simple words: The word "it" is the subject pronoun that describes the state of something being closed.

Exam Tip: Even when a pronoun comes after a linking verb, it still functions as a subject pronoun.

Question 3. They simply stood there, waiting for me.
Answer: They
In simple words: The word "They" is the subject pronoun showing a group of people doing the action of standing.

Exam Tip: Plural pronouns like "they" refer to more than one person or thing.

Question 4. Yesterday, she went shopping.
Answer: she
In simple words: The word "she" is the subject pronoun showing a female person performing the action of going shopping.

Exam Tip: Subject pronouns that refer to one person or thing are called singular pronouns.

Question 5. We should get together sometime.
Answer: We
In simple words: The word "We" is the subject pronoun showing a group including the speaker performing the action.

Exam Tip: Always check if the pronoun comes before the verb to confirm it is a subject pronoun.

More Practice

Question 6. He is the grandson of an immigrant from Italy.
Answer: He
In simple words: The word "He" is the subject pronoun describing a male person.

Exam Tip: Use this pronoun when referring to a male individual as the subject.

Question 7. We often dream about important things.
Answer: We
In simple words: The word "We" is the subject pronoun showing a group including the speaker.

Exam Tip: First person plural pronouns like "we" always refer to a group that includes the speaker.

Question 8. You have been to their house for dinner.
Answer: You
In simple words: The word "You" is the subject pronoun addressing the listener or reader.

Exam Tip: The pronoun "you" works as both a subject and object pronoun depending on its position.

Question 9. They often have interesting discussions.
Answer: They
In simple words: The word "They" is the subject pronoun showing a group of people performing the action.

Exam Tip: Plural pronouns refer to more than one person, animal, or thing.

Question 10. Last night they drove to San Francisco.
Answer: They
In simple words: The word "They" is the subject pronoun showing a group of people doing the action of driving.

Exam Tip: Always locate the pronoun before the main verb to identify it as a subject pronoun.

Object Pronouns

7a. Karen bought the red car.
7b. Karen bought it.
8a. The prize was given to Steve and Bill.
8b. The prize was given to them.
9a. I'm watching the baby.
9b. I'm watching her.

The underlined nouns in the sentences above are not subjects. Rather, they are objects: they either follow the main verb or they follow a preposition. (For more on objects, see Unit 13.) Pronouns that replace objects, like those underlined in sentences 7b, 8b, and 9b above, are called object pronouns.

There are only seven object pronouns; they are listed in Quick Tip 21.2.

Quick Tip 21.2

The object pronouns are: me, you, her, him, it, us, them.

You can see that two pronouns, you and it, are particularly hardworking: they can function as either subject or object pronouns.

Question 1. Underline the object pronouns in each of the sentences below. There may be more than one pronoun in a sentence.
Sample: Churchill called them to a meeting.

Getting Started

Question 1. Mary heard him.
Answer: him
In simple words: The word "him" is the object pronoun receiving the action of being heard.

Exam Tip: Object pronouns come after the verb or after a preposition and receive the action.

Question 2. The detective watched us suspiciously.
Answer: us
In simple words: The word "us" is the object pronoun receiving the action of being watched.

Exam Tip: Plural object pronouns like "us" refer to a group receiving an action.

Question 3. Stop bothering me!
Answer: me
In simple words: The word "me" is the object pronoun receiving the action of being bothered.

Exam Tip: Use "me" when you are the one receiving an action, not performing it.

Question 4. Steven sat down between him and her.
Answer: him and her
In simple words: Both "him" and "her" are object pronouns following the preposition "between".

Exam Tip: Pronouns that follow prepositions are always object pronouns.

Question 5. Do the students understand it?
Answer: it
In simple words: The word "it" is the object pronoun receiving the action of being understood.

Exam Tip: The pronoun "it" can serve as both a subject and object pronoun.

More Practice

Question 6. My friends have never heard of them.
Answer: them
In simple words: The word "them" is the object pronoun following the preposition "of".

Exam Tip: Always check if a pronoun follows a preposition to spot object pronouns.

Question 7. Barry gave her a present.
Answer: her
In simple words: The word "her" is the object pronoun that receives the action of being given a present.

Exam Tip: Object pronouns receiving an indirect action still follow the same rules.

Question 8. Harry's cousin lives near them.
Answer: them
In simple words: The word "them" is the object pronoun following the preposition "near".

Exam Tip: Remember that pronouns following prepositions are always object pronouns.

Question 9. Most competitors were envious of him.
Answer: him
In simple words: The word "him" is the object pronoun following the preposition "of".

Exam Tip: Prepositions always signal that an object pronoun will follow.

Question 10. A strange man is standing next to you and me.
Answer: you and me
In simple words: Both "you" and "me" are object pronouns following the preposition "next to".

Exam Tip: When multiple pronouns follow a preposition, they are all object pronouns.

Question 1. Decide if each pronoun below is a subject or object pronoun.
Sample: we - subject

Getting Started

Question 1. them
Answer: object
In simple words: The pronoun "them" refers to a group receiving an action or following a preposition.

Exam Tip: Pronouns ending in "m" or used after verbs typically signal object pronouns.

Question 2. he
Answer: subject
In simple words: The pronoun "he" refers to a male individual performing an action.

Exam Tip: Third person singular pronouns like "he," "she," and "it" are subject pronouns when they appear before verbs.

Question 3. I
Answer: subject
In simple words: The pronoun "I" is the subject pronoun referring to the speaker.

Exam Tip: The pronoun "I" is always a subject pronoun, never an object pronoun.

Question 4. us
Answer: object
In simple words: The pronoun "us" refers to a group receiving an action or following a preposition.

Exam Tip: The plural pronoun "us" only serves as an object pronoun.

Question 5. her
Answer: object
In simple words: The pronoun "her" refers to a female individual receiving an action.

Exam Tip: When a pronoun refers to someone receiving an action, it is an object pronoun.

More Practice

Question 6. they
Answer: subject
In simple words: The pronoun "they" refers to a group of people or things performing an action.

Exam Tip: When "they" comes before a verb, it acts as a subject pronoun.

Question 7. she
Answer: subject
In simple words: The pronoun "she" refers to a female individual performing an action.

Exam Tip: Third person singular pronouns are subject pronouns when they come before verbs.

Question 8. me
Answer: object
In simple words: The pronoun "me" refers to the speaker receiving an action.

Exam Tip: The pronoun "me" only functions as an object pronoun, never as a subject pronoun.

Question 9. him
Answer: object
In simple words: The pronoun "him" refers to a male individual receiving an action.

Exam Tip: Always check if a pronoun comes after a verb or preposition to confirm it is an object pronoun.

Question 10. we
Answer: subject
In simple words: The pronoun "we" refers to a group including the speaker performing an action.

Exam Tip: First person plural pronouns like "we" are always subject pronouns.

Question 1. Underline the pronouns in each of the sentences below. Identify each either as a subject pronoun or an object pronoun. Keep in mind that the pronouns you and it can be either subject or object pronouns, depending on how they are being used. There may be more than one pronoun in a sentence.
Sample: You really did it right. (subject; object)

Getting Started

Question 1. The clerk had been sent to work with him.
Answer: him (object)
In simple words: The pronoun "him" comes after the preposition "with," so it serves as an object pronoun.

Exam Tip: Pronouns following prepositions are always object pronouns.

Question 2. The research required them to work closely together.
Answer: them (object)
In simple words: The pronoun "them" comes after the verb "required," making it an object pronoun receiving the action.

Exam Tip: When a pronoun receives an action from a verb, it is an object pronoun.

Question 3. It is brighter than that other lamp.
Answer: It (subject)
In simple words: The pronoun "It" comes before the linking verb "is," making it a subject pronoun.

Exam Tip: When a pronoun comes before any verb, including linking verbs, it is a subject pronoun.

Question 4. If you know the answer, please tell me.
Answer: you (subject); me (object)
In simple words: The pronoun "you" comes before the verb "know," making it a subject pronoun. The pronoun "me" comes after the verb "tell," making it an object pronoun.

Exam Tip: Check the position of each pronoun to determine if it is subject or object.

Question 5. We will be moving near you.
Answer: We (subject); you (object)
In simple words: The pronoun "We" comes before the verb "will be moving," so it is a subject pronoun. The pronoun "you" follows the preposition "near," making it an object pronoun.

Exam Tip: Remember that "you" can function as both subject and object pronouns depending on its position in the sentence.

More Practice

Question 6. They were hiding in the bushes.
Answer: They (subject)
In simple words: The pronoun "They" comes before the verb "were hiding," making it a subject pronoun that performs the action.

Exam Tip: Third person plural pronouns like "they" are subject pronouns when they appear before verbs.

Question 7. I am giving it to you.
Answer: I (subject); it (object); you (object)
In simple words: The pronoun "I" comes before "am giving," making it a subject pronoun. The pronouns "it" and "you" both come after the verb, making them object pronouns receiving the action.

Exam Tip: When one sentence has multiple pronouns, check each one's position to determine its function.

Question 8. He went too far this time.
Answer: He (subject)
In simple words: The pronoun "He" comes before the verb "went," making it a subject pronoun performing the action.

Exam Tip: Third person singular pronouns like "he" are subject pronouns when they appear before verbs.

Question 9. Theresa's parents worried about her.
Answer: her (object)
In simple words: The pronoun "her" comes after the preposition "about," making it an object pronoun.

Exam Tip: Always look for prepositions to spot object pronouns in sentences.

Question 10. She hears from him often.
Answer: She (subject); him (object)
In simple words: The pronoun "She" comes before the verb "hears," making it a subject pronoun. The pronoun "him" follows the preposition "from," making it an object pronoun.

Exam Tip: Practice spotting both the verb and prepositions to quickly identify pronoun functions.

Understanding Personal Pronouns

You know that when you're talking about yourself, you use the pronouns I or me, and when you're talking about a group of people, you use the pronouns they or them. That is, we choose different pronouns depending on the person or thing the pronouns refer to. Pronouns that vary in this way are called personal pronouns. Subject and object pronouns are types of personal pronouns; see Lessons 22 and 24 for two other kinds.

Personal pronouns that refer to the speaker in a conversation, like I and we, are called first person pronouns. Those that refer to the listener, like you, are called second person pronouns. And those that refer to anyone or anything else, like he or they, are called third person pronouns.

In addition, pronouns that refer to only one person or thing, like I and he, are called singular pronouns; those that refer to more than one person or thing, like we and they, are called plural pronouns.

Here's a complete breakdown of the subject and object pronouns: