Simple explanation
What are object pronouns? Object pronouns are words that replace nouns when someone or something receives an action. They answer questions like 'Who?' or 'What?' after a verb. For example, instead of saying 'I know Sarah', we can say 'I know her'. Subject pronouns vs object pronouns Subject pronouns do the action, while object pronouns receive the action. Compare: 'She helps me.' She is the person doing the action, and me is the person receiving the help. The main object pronouns The English object pronouns are me, you, him, her, it, us, and them. They replace names or nouns after verbs and prepositions. Where do object pronouns appear? Object pronouns usually come after a verb or after a preposition such as to, for, with, and about. For example: 'I call him.' and 'She talks to me.'
Grammar formula
Positive sentence
Subject + verb + object pronounI know him.
After a preposition
Preposition + object pronounCome with us.
Question
Question word/Auxiliary + subject + verb + object pronounDo you like her?
Core rules
- 1
Use object pronouns after verbs
When a verb affects a person or thing, use an object pronoun after the verb. Example: I like her.
- 2
Use object pronouns after prepositions
After prepositions like to, for, with, and about, use object pronouns. Example: This message is for you.
- 3
Replace repeated nouns with object pronouns
When a person or thing is already known, use an object pronoun instead of repeating the noun.
Useful examples
She helps me every day.
She helps me every day.
Me is the person who receives the action of helping.
I know him from school.
I know him from school.
Him replaces a male person's name.
Can you call her tonight?
Can you call her tonight?
Her replaces a female person's name.
We watch it every weekend.
We watch it every weekend.
It is used for things, animals, or ideas.
They invite us to dinner.
They invite us to dinner.
Us means the speaker and other people receive the action.
I see them in the park.
I see them in the park.
Them is used for more than one person or thing.
My friend sends me a message.
My friend sends me a message.
Me shows who receives the message.
She is talking to you.
She is talking to you.
You has the same form as both subject and object.
Please wait for me.
Please wait for me.
After for, we use me, not I.
Do you want to join us?
Do you want to join us?
Us is the object of the verb join.
Common mistakes
- ❌ She likes I. ✅ She likes me. After the verb likes, we need an object pronoun.
- ❌ He talks to she. ✅ He talks to her. After the preposition to, we use an object pronoun.
- ❌ I see he every day. ✅ I see him every day. He is a subject pronoun. The object form is him.
- ❌ They help we. ✅ They help us. We is a subject pronoun. The object form is us.
- ❌ Can you call they? ✅ Can you call them? They does the action, but them receives the action.
Learning tips
- Learn object pronouns in pairs: I → me, he → him, she → her, we → us, they → them.
- Ask 'Who?' or 'What?' after the verb to find the object.
- Remember that object pronouns usually come after verbs or prepositions.
- You does not change: it can be both a subject and an object pronoun.
Practise this topic
Interactive exercises for this topic are coming soon.
PlannedRelated grammar
Related dictionary words
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between I and me?
I is a subject pronoun that does the action. Me is an object pronoun that receives the action.
Is you an object pronoun?
Yes. You can be both a subject pronoun and an object pronoun.
When do I use him and her?
Use him for males and her for females when they receive the action.
Can object pronouns replace nouns?
Yes. They replace nouns when the person or thing is already known.