Object Pronouns

Overview

An object pronoun is a pronoun used when the pronoun is not the subject of the sentence. Instead of doing the action, the object pronoun receives it. In the sentence She called him, she is the subject and him is the object pronoun. The action of calling happens to him.

The seven object pronouns in English are me, you, him, her, it, us, and them. These correspond directly to the seven subject pronouns. The subject pronoun I becomes me as an object. He becomes him, she becomes her, we becomes us, and they becomes them. The pronouns you and it stay the same in both forms.

Subject Pronouns and Object Pronouns: The Full Table

The subject pronoun does the action. The object pronoun receives the action or follows a preposition.

Where Object Pronouns Go

After a Verb

Object pronouns come directly after the verb when they are the object of that verb.

After a Preposition

Object pronouns also come after prepositions. Common prepositions followed by object pronouns include to, for, with, at, from, about, and near.

Using Each Object Pronoun

Me

Me is the object form of I. It is used when the speaker receives the action or follows a preposition.

You

You stays the same whether it is a subject or an object pronoun.

Him

Him is the object form of he. It is used when a male person receives the action or follows a preposition.

Her

Her is the object form of she. It is used when a female person receives the action or follows a preposition.

It

It is the object form of it, used for things, animals, and anything that would use it as a subject pronoun. The form is identical in both subject and object position.

Us

Us is the object form of we. It refers to the speaker and one or more others as receivers of an action.

Them

Them is the object form of they, used for two or more people, things, or animals as receivers of an action.

Subject Pronouns vs. Object Pronouns in Practice

Subject pronouns come before the verb. Object pronouns come after the verb or after a preposition.

Common Mistakes

Using a Subject Pronoun After a Verb

After a verb, the object pronoun is needed. Using a subject pronoun in this position is one of the most common beginner errors.

Using a Subject Pronoun After a Preposition

Prepositions must be followed by object pronouns, not subject pronouns.

Using I Instead of Me

I is only a subject pronoun. After a verb or preposition, me is always the correct form.

Confusing Him and Her

Him is for males and her is for females. Mixing them up changes who the sentence is about.

Using They Instead of Them

They is a subject pronoun. After a verb or preposition, them is the correct form.

Using We Instead of Us

We is a subject pronoun. When the speaker and others receive the action or follow a preposition, us is the correct form.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Object Pronoun

Choose the correct object pronoun to complete each sentence.

1. I saw _______ at the market this morning. (she / her)
2. Can you help _______ with this question? (I / me)
3. He gave _______ a message for you. (we / us)
4. She is looking for _______. (they / them)
5. This present is for _______. (he / him)
6. I don't know _______. Who is that? (she / her)
7. Can you hear _______? The music is very loud. (it / its)
8. He called _______ but we didn't answer. (we / us)

Exercise 2: Replace the Object Noun with a Pronoun

Rewrite each sentence. Replace the underlined object with the correct object pronoun.

1. She called my brother last night.
2. I gave my parents a gift.
3. He is waiting for Maria outside.
4. They helped Tom and me with the project.
5. Can you pass the salt, please?
6. She sent the letter to the teacher.

Exercise 3: Subject or Object Pronoun?

Decide if each underlined word is a subject pronoun or an object pronoun. Write S for subject or O for object.

1. She is my best friend. ___
2. I called her this morning. ___
3. They live in a big house. ___
4. Can you see them? ___
5. He is very tired today. ___
6. Give him the keys. ___
7. We are going to the market. ___
8. She is waiting for us. ___

Exercise 4: Correct the Mistake

Each sentence has one mistake. Rewrite it correctly.

1. I can see she from the window.
2. This is a message for he from his mother.
3. She gave the homework to I and my friend.
4. He helped they carry the boxes upstairs.
5. Can you come with we to the restaurant tonight?

Exercise 5: Complete with the Correct Pronoun

Fill in each blank with the correct subject or object pronoun.

1. Maria is my sister. _______ lives in London. (she / her)
2. I know Tom well. _______ went to school together. (We / Us)
3. Where are my keys? I can't find _______. (they / them)
4. My parents are tired. Don't disturb _______. (they / them)
5. I have a new phone. _______ is very fast. (It / Its)
6. The teacher is in the classroom. Can you call _______? (she / her)

Summary

Object pronouns come after verbs and after prepositions. The pairs to remember are I / me, he / him, she / her, we / us, and they / them. The pronouns you and it are the same in both forms.