The English Pronoun System
Subject, Object, Possessive, and Reflexive Pronouns in English
Mar 7, 2009
Pronouns are small words that can take the place of nouns and noun phrases. The English pronoun system includes four types of pronouns: subject pronouns, object pronouns, possessive pronouns, and reflexive pronouns. Pronouns in English can perform five different grammatical subjects depending on the type of pronouns: subject, predicate nominative, direct object, indirect object, and prepositional complement. Both native English-speaking and ESL students must learn the types and functions of pronouns to correctly and fully use pronouns in both spoken and written language.
Subject Pronouns
The English subject pronouns perform two functions in sentences: subject and predicate nominative. The subject pronouns in English are:
- I (first person singular)
- you (second person singular)
- he (third person singular masculine)
- she (third person singular feminine)
- it (third person singular neuter)
- we (first person plural)
- you (second person plural)
- they (third person plural)
For example:
- I am a librarian. (I functions as subject)
- He wrote the book. (he functions as subject)
- My aunt is she. (she functions as predicate nominative)
- The tourists are they. (they functions as predicate nominative)
Object Pronouns
The English object pronouns perform three traditional functions: direct object, indirect object, and prepositional complement. The object pronouns in English are:
- me (first person singular)
- you (second person singular)
- him (third person singular masculine)
- her (third person singular feminine)
- it (third person singular neuter)
- us (first person plural)
- you (second person plural)
- them (third person plural)
For example:
- My puppy licked you. (you functions as direct object)
- The man bought her chocolate. (her functions as indirect object)
- Six packages arrived for us. (us functions as prepositional complement)
The English object pronouns also function as the predicate nominative in all but the most formal settings. For example:
- The guest speaker is me. (me functions as predicate nominative)
- The winners are us. (us functions as predicate nominative)
Possessive Pronouns
The English possessive pronouns perform five functions: subject, predicate nominative, direct object, indirect object, and prepositional complement. The possessive pronouns in English are:
- mine (first person singular)
- yours (second person singular)
- his (third person singular masculine)
- hers (third person singular feminine)
- its (third person singular neuter)*
- ours (first person plural)
- yours (second person plural)
- theirs (third person plural)
For example:
- Mine is the calico cat. (mine functions as subject)
- The middle desk is yours. (yours functions as predicate nominative)
- Our neighbor bought his. (his functions as direct object)
- We bought ours healthy snacks. (ours functions as indirect object)
- He can sit at theirs. (theirs functions as prepositional complement)
*The third person singular neuter possessive pronoun its is rarely used in standard written English.
Reflexive Pronouns
The English reflexive pronouns perform three functions: direct object, indirect object, and prepositional complement. The reflexive pronouns in English are:
- myself (first person singular)
- yourself (second person singular)
- himself (third person singular masculine)
- herself (third person singular feminine)
- itself (third person singular neuter)
- ourselves (first person plural)
- yourselves (second person plural)
- themselves (third person plural)
For example:
- I embarrassed myself at the party. (myself functions as direct object)
- She wrote herself a note. (herself functions as indirect object)
- He chuckled at himself. (himself functions as prepositional complement)
Pronouns in English are one of four types: subject pronouns, object pronouns, possessive pronouns, and reflexive pronouns. The English pronouns also perform one of five functions: subject, predicate nominative, direct object, indirect object, and prepositional complement. Students, both English-speaking and ESL, must learn the types and functions of pronouns to fully and correctly use pronouns in both spoken and written English.
Sources
Hopper, Paul J. A Short Course in Grammar. W.W. Norton & Company: New York, 1999.
Kosur, Heather Marie. "The English Pronoun System for ESL Students." Bright Hub. 5 Mar. 2009. Bright Hub. 7 Mar. 2009.
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