Simple explanation
What are subject pronouns? Subject pronouns are words that replace a person’s, animal’s, or thing’s name when it is the subject of a sentence. They show who or what does an action. In English, a simple sentence usually needs a subject, so we normally cannot leave it out. The seven main subject pronouns The main English subject pronouns are I, you, he, she, it, we, and they. I means the speaker, you means the person or people we talk to, he refers to a male person, she refers to a female person, it refers to things or animals, we means the speaker and others, and they refers to more than one person or thing. How to choose the correct pronoun First, identify who or what you are talking about. Use he for a man or boy, she for a woman or girl, it for objects and many animals, and they for plural people or things. Position of subject pronouns Subject pronouns usually come before the verb. The basic structure is: Subject pronoun + verb + other information. Example: She is happy. She is the subject and comes before the verb is.
Grammar formula
Simple affirmative sentence
Subject pronoun + verb + complementThey are students.
With the verb be
I am / You are / He is / She is / It is / We are / They areShe is my friend.
Core rules
- 1
Rule 1: I is always capitalized
The pronoun I is always written with a capital letter, even when it appears in the middle of a sentence.
- 2
Rule 2: He and she are used for people
Use he for males and boys. Use she for females and girls.
- 3
Rule 3: It is used for things and some animals
Use it for objects, animals when gender is not important, and some situations.
- 4
Rule 4: They is used for plural subjects
Use they when you talk about two or more people, animals, or things.
Useful examples
I am a student.
I am a student.
I is used when the speaker talks about themselves.
You are very kind.
You are very kind.
You can refer to one person or several people.
He is my brother.
He is my brother.
He replaces a male person's name.
She works in a hospital.
She works in a hospital.
She is used for a female person.
It is a small dog.
It is a small dog.
It can be used for animals when gender is not important.
We live in London.
We live in London.
We includes the speaker and other people.
They are my friends.
They are my friends.
They refers to more than one person.
I like this book because it is interesting.
I like this book because it is interesting.
It replaces the noun book to avoid repetition.
My parents are teachers. They love their jobs.
My parents are teachers. They love their jobs.
They replaces the plural noun parents.
Emma is my friend. She is from Canada.
Emma is my friend. She is from Canada.
She replaces Emma in the second sentence.
Common mistakes
- ❌ Maria is a doctor. He is kind. ✅ Maria is a doctor. She is kind. Maria is female, so she is the correct pronoun.
- ❌ My car is new. He is fast. ✅ My car is new. It is fast. A car is a thing, so we normally use it.
- ❌ i am happy. ✅ I am happy. The pronoun I is always capitalized.
- ❌ John and Tom are friends. He are happy. ✅ John and Tom are friends. They are happy. John and Tom are two people, so we use they.
- ❌ Me am a student. ✅ I am a student. Me is an object pronoun, not a subject pronoun.
Learning tips
- Ask yourself: Who or what does the action?
- Remember: he = male person, she = female person, it = thing or animal.
- Use pronouns to avoid repeating names and nouns.
- English sentences usually need a subject before the verb.
Practise this topic
Interactive exercises for this topic are coming soon.
PlannedRelated grammar
Related dictionary words
Frequently asked questions
Why do English sentences need a subject?
English usually requires a subject in simple sentences, so we use subject pronouns when we do not use a name.
What is the difference between he and she?
He is used for males and boys. She is used for females and girls.
Can I always use it for animals?
Usually yes, but pets or animals with known gender can sometimes be called he or she.
What is the difference between we and they?
We includes the speaker. They refers to other people or things and does not include the speaker.