M1 Pronouns
Pronouns are small words, but they do a lot of heavy lifting in English. They replace nouns (people, places, or things) so we don't have to repeat the same words over and over again.
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1. Subject Pronouns: The Star of the Sentence
Every sentence needs a subject—the person or thing performing the action. When you want to replace the name of the "doer," you use a subject pronoun.
Common Subject Pronouns: I, You, He, She, It, We, They
Instead of saying: "Maria is studying. Maria has a test," we use a subject pronoun to sound more natural:
"Maria is studying. She has a test."
"We are going to the park."
"They play football every weekend."
2. Object Pronouns: The Action Receiver
If the subject is throwing a ball, the object is catching it. Object pronouns receive the action in a sentence. They usually come after the verb or after a preposition (like to, for, with).
Common Object Pronouns: Me, You, Him, Her, It, Us, Them
Notice how the pronoun changes when a person goes from being the doer to the receiver:
"Please give the book to me." (Not: Please give the book to I.)
"I saw him at the store yesterday."
"The teacher is helping us."
- Title: Pronoun Power: Subject vs. ObjectQuestions:
- Category: Object PronounQuestion: Mary **is** my friend. I **like** ____.Options:
- her
- she
- him
Answer: herExplanation: We use the object pronoun 'her' to receive the action of the verb **like**. - Category: Object PronounQuestion: John **wants** the book. **Give** it to ____.Options:
- him
- he
- it
Answer: himExplanation: 'John' is male, so we use the object pronoun 'him' after the verb **give**. - Category: Object PronounQuestion: The dog **is** hungry. **Feed** ____.Options:
- it
- them
- him
Answer: itExplanation: We use the object pronoun 'it' for animals when we **feed** them. - Category: Subject PronounQuestion: My brother and I **are** tired. ____ **need** to **sleep**.Options:
- We
- Us
- They
Answer: WeExplanation: 'My brother and I' is the subject of the verb **need**, so we use 'We'. - Category: Object PronounQuestion: The teachers **are** here. **Do** you **see** ____?Options:
- them
- they
- us
Answer: themExplanation: The plural object pronoun 'them' receives the action of the verb **see**. - Category: Subject PronounQuestion: Sarah **called** me yesterday. ____ **wanted** to **talk**.Options:
- She
- Her
- I
Answer: SheExplanation: 'She' is the subject pronoun for Sarah doing the action **wanted**. - Category: Object PronounQuestion: We **have** a test tomorrow. The teacher **told** ____.Options:
- us
- we
- them
Answer: usExplanation: 'Us' is the object pronoun receiving the action of the verb **told**. - Category: Subject PronounQuestion: I **love** apples. ____ **are** delicious.Options:
- They
- Them
- It
Answer: TheyExplanation: 'They' is the plural subject pronoun for 'apples' performing the verb **are**. - Category: Object PronounQuestion: You **are** my best friend. I **trust** ____.Options:
- you
- your
- them
Answer: youExplanation: 'You' stays the same as an object pronoun after the verb **trust**. - Category: Subject PronounQuestion: Look at that car! ____ **is** very fast.Options:
- It
- He
- They
Answer: ItExplanation: 'It' is the subject pronoun for a thing like 'car' with the verb **is**. - Category: Subject PronounQuestion: David and Lisa **went** to the store. ____ **bought** milk.Options:
- They
- Them
- We
Answer: TheyExplanation: We use the plural subject pronoun 'They' for the people who **bought** the milk. - Category: Object PronounQuestion: I **can't find** my keys. **Did** you **see** ____?Options:
- them
- they
- it
Answer: themExplanation: Keys are plural, so we use the object pronoun 'them' after the verb **see**. - Category: Subject PronounQuestion: The ball **hit** the window. ____ **broke**.Options:
- It
- He
- They
Answer: ItExplanation: We use the subject pronoun 'It' for the window that **broke**. - Category: Object PronounQuestion: My parents **are visiting**. I **am** happy to **see** ____.Options:
- them
- they
- us
Answer: themExplanation: 'Them' is the plural object pronoun receiving the action **see**. - Category: Subject PronounQuestion: ____ **am going** to the park. **Do** you **want** to **come**?Options:
- I
- Me
- My
Answer: IExplanation: The subject pronoun 'I' is used with the verb **am going**. - Category: Object PronounQuestion: The cake **is** for Maria. Please **give** it to ____.Options:
- her
- she
- him
Answer: herExplanation: 'Maria' is female, so we use the object pronoun 'her' after the verb **give**. - Category: Subject PronounQuestion: Tom **is** my brother. ____ **plays** soccer well.Options:
- He
- Him
- It
Answer: HeExplanation: 'Tom' is male, so we use the subject pronoun 'He' for the verb **plays**. - Category: Object PronounQuestion: The music **is** too loud. **Turn** ____ down.Options:
- it
- them
- him
Answer: itExplanation: Music is singular, so we use the object pronoun 'it' with the verb **turn**. - Category: Object PronounQuestion: We **are** lost. **Can** you **help** ____?Options:
- us
- we
- them
Answer: usExplanation: 'Us' is the object pronoun for 'we', receiving the action **help**. - Category: Subject PronounQuestion: My mom **made** cookies. ____ **taste** great.Options:
- They
- Them
- She
Answer: TheyExplanation: Cookies are plural, so we use the subject pronoun 'They' for the verb **taste**. - Category: Object PronounQuestion: I **found** a wallet. I **should return** ____.Options:
- it
- them
- him
Answer: itExplanation: A wallet is singular, so we use the object pronoun 'it' after **should return**. - Category: Subject PronounQuestion: Anna and I **are** students. ____ **study** hard.Options:
- We
- Us
- They
Answer: WeExplanation: 'Anna and I' means 'We', acting as the subject for the verb **study**. - Category: Object PronounQuestion: The children **are playing**. **Let** ____ **have** fun.Options:
- them
- they
- us
Answer: themExplanation: 'Children' is plural, so we use the object pronoun 'them' after the verb **let**. - Category: Object PronounQuestion: Mr. Smith **is** our teacher. We **listen** to ____.Options:
- him
- he
- it
Answer: himExplanation: 'Mr. Smith' is male, so we use the object pronoun 'him' after the verb **listen**. - Category: Subject PronounQuestion: ____ **likes** to **read** books.Options:
- She
- Her
- They
Answer: SheExplanation: The verb **likes** is singular, so we need the singular subject pronoun 'She'. - Category: Object PronounQuestion: The flowers **are** beautiful. I **will buy** ____.Options:
- them
- they
- it
Answer: themExplanation: Flowers are plural, so we use the object pronoun 'them' after **will buy**. - Category: Subject PronounQuestion: You and I **make** a great team. ____ **win** every game.Options:
- We
- Us
- They
Answer: WeExplanation: 'You and I' combined make the subject pronoun 'We' for the verb **win**. - Category: Object PronounQuestion: Dad **is cooking** dinner. I **will help** ____.Options:
- him
- he
- it
Answer: himExplanation: 'Dad' is male, so we use the object pronoun 'him' after **will help**. - Category: Object PronounQuestion: That **is** my pen. Please **give** ____ back to me.Options:
- it
- them
- him
Answer: itExplanation: A pen is a singular thing, so we use the object pronoun 'it' after **give**. - Category: Object PronounQuestion: I **saw** Jane at the mall. I **said** hello to ____.Options:
- her
- she
- him
Answer: herExplanation: 'Jane' is female, so we use the object pronoun 'her' after the verb **said**.
3. Possessive Pronouns & Adjectives: Showing Ownership
When you want to talk about who owns something, you use possessives. There are two ways to do this, and it depends on where the word sits in the sentence.
Possessive Adjectives always sit right before the noun they own (My, Your, His, Her, Its, Our, Their).
Possessive Pronouns stand alone and replace the noun entirely (Mine, Yours, His, Hers, Ours, Theirs).
Possessive Adjective: "This is your pen." (Comes before "pen")
Possessive Pronoun: "This pen is yours." (Stands alone)
"That car is not mine."
- Title: Who Does It Belong To? PossessivesQuestions:
- Category: Possessive AdjectiveQuestion: This is ____ book. I bought it yesterday.Options:
- my
- mine
- me
Answer: myExplanation: We use the possessive adjective 'my' before the noun 'book'. - Category: Possessive PronounQuestion: The book on the table is ____.Options:
- my
- mine
- me
Answer: mineExplanation: We use the possessive pronoun 'mine' to replace 'my book'. It stands alone. - Category: Possessive AdjectiveQuestion: Where are ____ keys? You left them here.Options:
- your
- yours
- you
Answer: yourExplanation: 'Your' is an adjective that goes right before the noun 'keys'. - Category: Possessive PronounQuestion: Are these keys ____? I found them on the floor.Options:
- your
- yours
- you
Answer: yoursExplanation: 'Yours' is a pronoun that replaces 'your keys' at the end of the sentence. - Category: Possessive AdjectiveQuestion: That is ____ car over there. She bought it last year.Options:
- her
- hers
- she
Answer: herExplanation: We use the adjective 'her' because it is followed by the noun 'car'. - Category: Possessive PronounQuestion: That fast car is ____. She loves driving it.Options:
- her
- hers
- she
Answer: hersExplanation: 'Hers' is a pronoun replacing 'her car' and stands alone without a noun. - Category: Possessive AdjectiveQuestion: We need to paint ____ house this summer.Options:
- our
- ours
- us
Answer: ourExplanation: 'Our' describes whose house it is and sits right in front of the noun 'house'. - Category: Possessive PronounQuestion: The house on the corner is ____.Options:
- our
- ours
- we
Answer: oursExplanation: We use the pronoun 'ours' instead of repeating 'our house'. - Category: Possessive AdjectiveQuestion: Did they bring ____ jackets? It is cold outside.Options:
- their
- theirs
- them
Answer: theirExplanation: 'Their' is used before the noun 'jackets' to show who owns them. - Category: Possessive PronounQuestion: Those warm jackets are ____.Options:
- their
- theirs
- they
Answer: theirsExplanation: The pronoun 'theirs' stands alone and replaces 'their jackets'. - Category: Possessive AdjectiveQuestion: ____ brother is very tall. He plays basketball.Options:
- His
- He
- Him
Answer: HisExplanation: 'His' is used as an adjective before the noun 'brother'. - Category: Possessive PronounQuestion: I forgot my pen. Can I borrow ____?Options:
- his
- he
- him
Answer: hisExplanation: 'His' can be both an adjective and a pronoun. Here, it replaces 'his pen'. - Category: Possessive AdjectiveQuestion: The dog wagged ____ tail when I came home.Options:
- its
- it's
- it
Answer: itsExplanation: 'Its' is the possessive adjective for an animal or thing. 'It's' means 'it is'. - Category: Possessive PronounQuestion: This bag is not mine, it must be ____.Options:
- your
- yours
- you
Answer: yoursExplanation: We use 'yours' to replace 'your bag' so we don't repeat the noun. - Category: Possessive AdjectiveQuestion: I really like ____ new shoes. Where did you get them?Options:
- your
- yours
- you
Answer: yourExplanation: Use 'your' before the noun phrase 'new shoes'. - Category: Possessive PronounQuestion: My phone is broken. Can I use ____?Options:
- yours
- your
- you
Answer: yoursExplanation: 'Yours' is used alone here to mean 'your phone'. - Category: Possessive AdjectiveQuestion: ____ parents live in Spain. I visit them every summer.Options:
- My
- Mine
- Me
Answer: MyExplanation: 'My' is the adjective that must come before the noun 'parents'. - Category: Possessive PronounQuestion: These tickets are for us. They are ____.Options:
- our
- ours
- we
Answer: oursExplanation: 'Ours' replaces 'our tickets' and stands by itself at the end of the sentence. - Category: Possessive AdjectiveQuestion: Please take off ____ shoes at the door.Options:
- your
- yours
- you
Answer: yourExplanation: The noun 'shoes' follows the blank, so we need the adjective 'your'. - Category: Possessive PronounQuestion: I found a hat on the chair. Is it ____?Options:
- his
- he
- him
Answer: hisExplanation: The pronoun 'his' is used here to ask if it is 'his hat'. - Category: Possessive AdjectiveQuestion: She gave me ____ phone number so I could call later.Options:
- her
- hers
- she
Answer: herExplanation: 'Her' is a possessive adjective used before 'phone number'. - Category: Possessive PronounQuestion: The blue umbrella is ____. I bought it yesterday.Options:
- my
- mine
- me
Answer: mineExplanation: 'Mine' is a pronoun that replaces 'my umbrella' and needs no noun after it. - Category: Possessive AdjectiveQuestion: They sold ____ old car last week.Options:
- their
- theirs
- them
Answer: theirExplanation: We need the adjective 'their' to describe whose 'old car' it was. - Category: Possessive PronounQuestion: Their garden is big, but ____ is very small.Options:
- our
- ours
- us
Answer: oursExplanation: Instead of saying 'our garden', we can just use the pronoun 'ours'. - Category: Possessive PronounQuestion: I have my laptop, but she forgot ____.Options:
- her
- hers
- she
Answer: hersExplanation: 'Hers' stands alone to mean 'her laptop'. We don't use 'her' without a noun after it.
4. Reflexive Pronouns: Looking in the Mirror
Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and the object of the sentence are exactly the same person. It is like looking in a mirror! We also use them to emphasize that someone did something completely on their own.
Common Reflexive Pronouns: Myself, Yourself, Himself, Herself, Itself, Ourselves, Yourselves, Themselves
"He made dinner all by himself." (He did it alone.)
"Be careful, you might cut yourself!" (The person doing the cutting and receiving the cut is the same.)
"We built this project entirely by ourselves."
Pronouns for Beginners
Mixed Practice
- Title: M.1 Pronoun Practice: Subject, Object, Possessive, and ReflexiveQuestions:
- Category: Subject PronounQuestion: My brother loves reading. ___ goes to the library every day.Options:
- He
- She
- It
- They
Answer: HeExplanation: 'He' is the correct subject pronoun used to replace 'my brother'. - Category: Subject PronounQuestion: Sarah and I are going to the park. ___ want to play football.Options:
- They
- We
- Us
- I
Answer: WeExplanation: 'We' replaces 'Sarah and I' as the subject of the sentence. - Category: Subject PronounQuestion: The dog is very tired. ___ is sleeping under the tree.Options:
- He
- She
- It
- They
Answer: ItExplanation: 'It' is used for animals when their specific gender is not mentioned. - Category: Subject PronounQuestion: Lisa and Tom are running fast. ___ are in a race.Options:
- We
- You
- They
- It
Answer: TheyExplanation: 'They' replaces plural subjects like 'Lisa and Tom'. - Category: Subject PronounQuestion: Excuse me, are ___ the new English teacher?Options:
- you
- they
- we
- he
Answer: youExplanation: 'You' is the subject pronoun used when talking directly to someone. - Category: Object PronounQuestion: I can't find my keys. Can you help ___ look for them?Options:
- my
- I
- me
- mine
Answer: meExplanation: 'Me' is the object pronoun because you are receiving the help. - Category: Object PronounQuestion: That is John's jacket. Please give it to ___.Options:
- him
- his
- he
- himself
Answer: himExplanation: 'Him' is the object pronoun replacing 'John'. - Category: Object PronounQuestion: We are going to the cinema. Do you want to come with ___?Options:
- we
- us
- our
- ours
Answer: usExplanation: 'Us' is the object pronoun used instead of 'we'. - Category: Object PronounQuestion: My sister is crying. I will go talk to ___.Options:
- she
- hers
- her
- herself
Answer: herExplanation: 'Her' is the object pronoun used for female subjects like 'my sister'. - Category: Object PronounQuestion: The apples look delicious. I want to eat ___.Options:
- they
- their
- them
- it
Answer: themExplanation: 'Them' is the plural object pronoun replacing 'apples'. - Category: Possessive PronounQuestion: This is not my pen. I think it is ___.Options:
- your
- yours
- you
- yourself
Answer: yoursExplanation: 'Yours' is a possessive pronoun meaning 'your pen'. - Category: Possessive PronounQuestion: We bought a new car. The car is ___.Options:
- our
- ours
- us
- we
Answer: oursExplanation: 'Ours' shows that the car belongs to 'us'. - Category: Possessive AdjectiveQuestion: I left ___ backpack at home today.Options:
- me
- mine
- my
- I
Answer: myExplanation: 'My' is a possessive adjective used before the noun 'backpack'. - Category: Possessive AdjectiveQuestion: They have a big house. ___ house is very beautiful.Options:
- Their
- Theirs
- They
- Them
Answer: TheirExplanation: 'Their' is used before the noun 'house' to show it belongs to them. - Category: Possessive AdjectiveQuestion: The cat is eating ___ food.Options:
- it
- its
- itself
- it's
Answer: itsExplanation: 'Its' is the possessive adjective for animals or things, written without an apostrophe. - Category: Reflexive PronounQuestion: She cut ___ while cooking dinner.Options:
- her
- hers
- herself
- she
Answer: herselfExplanation: 'Herself' is a reflexive pronoun that matches the subject 'She'. - Category: Reflexive PronounQuestion: Did you make this cake all by ___?Options:
- you
- your
- yours
- yourself
Answer: yourselfExplanation: When asking directly, 'yourself' means doing the action without any help. - Category: Reflexive PronounQuestion: They cleaned the whole classroom by ___.Options:
- them
- their
- themselves
- theirs
Answer: themselvesExplanation: 'Themselves' is the reflexive pronoun for 'They'. - Category: Reflexive PronounQuestion: I learned how to play the piano by ___.Options:
- me
- my
- myself
- mine
Answer: myselfExplanation: 'Myself' shows you did the action alone, matching the subject 'I'. - Category: Reflexive PronounQuestion: He painted the entire wall by ___.Options:
- his
- him
- himself
- he
Answer: himselfExplanation: 'Himself' matches the subject 'He' to show he did it entirely alone. - Category: Possessive PronounQuestion: That book belongs to Maria. It is ___.Options:
- her
- hers
- she
- herself
Answer: hersExplanation: 'Hers' replaces 'her book' to show possession. - Category: Object PronounQuestion: The teacher asked a question, but I didn't hear ___.Options:
- him
- his
- he
- himself
Answer: himExplanation: 'Him' is the object pronoun replacing 'the teacher'. - Category: Reflexive PronounQuestion: We built the treehouse all by ___.Options:
- us
- our
- ourselves
- ours
Answer: ourselvesExplanation: 'Ourselves' matches 'we' when doing something independently. - Category: Possessive AdjectiveQuestion: The students must bring ___ own pencils to the test.Options:
- they
- them
- their
- theirs
Answer: theirExplanation: 'Their' is a possessive adjective placed before the noun phrase 'own pencils'. - Category: Subject PronounQuestion: ___ is raining very heavily outside.Options:
- It
- He
- They
- She
Answer: ItExplanation: 'It' is the standard subject pronoun used for the weather.
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