subject pronoun + verbIn a basic statement, the subject pronoun goes before the verb.
Subject Pronouns
A1Use I, you, he, she, it, we, and they as the subject of a verb. Put the pronoun before the verb and match it to the person or thing.
What you'll learn
- Choose the right subject pronoun for a person or thing.
- Place the subject pronoun before the verb in a sentence.
- Use it for one thing, place, idea, or animal.
- Use they for plural people, animals, and things.
Structure
Build a sentence
Who or what?
Verb
Sheis ready
She is ready.
Maria → she because it is one female person.
When to use
People
Replace names with pronouns when the subject is clear. Maria is late. She is on the bus.
Things and places
Use it for one object, place, or idea. The store is closed. It opens at nine.
Groups
Use they for two or more people or things. Tom and Lisa are here. They are in the kitchen.
Markers
Iyouhesheitwethey
Common mistakes
Wrong
Maria is my teacher. He starts class at eight.
Correct
Maria is my teacher. She starts class at eight.
Use she for one female person.
Wrong
My phone is in my bag. She is safe there.
Correct
My phone is in my bag. It is safe there.
Use it for one thing.
Wrong
Is ready for the meeting.
Correct
He is ready for the meeting.
English statements need a subject before the verb.
Wrong
Him lives near my office.
Correct
He lives near my office.
Use a subject pronoun before the verb, not an object pronoun.
Wrong
My laptop is old, but they still works.
Correct
My laptop is old, but it still works.
One thing takes it, not they.
Wrong
My parents live nearby. He visit me often.
Correct
My parents live nearby. They visit me often.
A plural subject needs they.
Common misconceptions
❝ If the meaning is clear, I can drop the subject pronoun. ❞
Standard English statements need the subject. Say He is tired, not Is tired.
❝ It is only for physical objects. ❞
It also works for places, ideas, time, weather, and one animal when sex is not the point.
Skills in this rule (4)
CHOOSE_I_YOU_HE_SHE_IT_WE_THEYw5Choose the correct subject pronoun before a verb
Use I, you, he, she, it, we, or they in the subject position. Pick the pronoun that matches who or what does the action.
PUT_PRONOUN_BEFORE_THE_VERBw5Put the subject pronoun before the verb
In a basic sentence, the subject pronoun comes before the verb. English needs the subject in normal statements.
USE_IT_FOR_THINGS_AND_ANIMALSw4Use it for things, ideas, and single animals when the sex is not the point
Use it for one thing, one place, one idea, or one animal when you are not focusing on male or female. It is common for objects and weather too.
USE_THEY_FOR_PLURAL_PEOPLE_OR_THINGSw4Use they for plural people or things
Use they when the subject is more than one person, animal, or thing. The pronoun replaces a plural noun phrase.