Pronouns: Subject/Object

Subject/Object Pronouns

As you know (if you don't, review the lesson on pronouns), pronouns take the place of common nouns and proper nouns.  What can sometimes be tricky is figuring out which pronoun to use. 

 Subject Pronouns

Subject pronouns are used to replace the subject -- the main actor -- of a sentence.  Subject pronouns are often at the beginning of sentences (but not always!).

Let's take an example:

Maeve punched Javier. 

What is the subject of this sentence? The subject is the actor doing the verb.  Here, the verb is "hit."  Who hit?  Maeve did.  Maeve is the subject. Maeve is singular and female, so the appropriate subject pronoun is she.

She punched Javier. 

Object Pronouns

We can also replace the other nouns in the sentence.  The object of the sentence is the thing being acted upon by the verb. In our example sentence, the object is the person getting punched: Javier. Javier is singular and male, so the appropriate object pronoun is him.

Maeve punched Javier

Maeve punched him.

She punched him. 

Deciding Between Subject and Object Pronouns

People who speak English well will automatically use the correct words. However, there are a few classic cases when most people get messed up.  And standardized tests will capitalize on that fact!  So, let's get those instances straight.

Pronouns in Groups

Plural pronouns are easy.  A group of monkeys is either they or them.  If the monkeys are eating, then we would say, "They are eating."  If lions are eating the monkeys, we would say, "Lions are eating them."  If someone said, "Lions are eating they," they would know right away that it sounded wrong. 

But pronouns in groups are harder.  Which is correct?

Jason and I want to go to the mall.

Jason and me want to go to the mall.

You will probably automatically say that "Jason and I" is correct, because grown-ups have told you for your whole life that "Jason and me" is wrong.  And you're right.  If you cut out Jason, the sentences would be:

Jason and I want to go to the mall.  

Jason and me want to go to the mall.

I want to go to the mall.   This is definitely the correct form. 

The correct form of a pronoun NOT in a group, is also going to be the correct form in a group.  So, when you want to test a pronoun that is in a group, try the sentence with out the group.  That will show you the answer. 

It's important to have a trick, because some of these are harder than others! Let's try: 

Do you want to go to the mall with Jason and I?

Do you want to go to the mall with Jason and me?

Before you answer, try taking the pronouns out of the groups:

Do you want to go to the mall with Jason and I?

Do you want to go to the mall with Jason and me?

Do you want to go to the mall with me?   This is definitely the correct form. 

In this case, "Jason and me" are objects and not subjects, so ME is the correct pronoun.  But, we've been taught for so long to say "Jason and I" that it sounds correct.  Take out Jason and you'll know exactly what the right answer is. 

If it's hard to take out a part of the group, try just saying the group as a pronoun, either the subject or object:

Do you want to go to the mall with we?

Do you want to go to the mall with us?

Again, this sentence only sounds right with an object pronoun at the end, so use the object pronoun: me. 

The trick to answering these questions is determining if you want a subject or object pronoun.  That distinction will not change, no matter WHO the subject or object is, so simplify it and let your natural instincts get you to the answer. 

Who/Whom

Finally, let's talk about the difference between who and whom.  Some people think that whom is just an old-fashioned version of who.  But, it's actually just fallen out of use because most people don't know how to use it!  Who is a subject pronoun and whom is an object pronoun.  And, they tend to be question words.  So, to choose which one to use think about the answer to the question.  Would you answer with a subject pronoun or an object pronoun?  If you answer with a subject pronoun, the correct question word is "who" and if you answer with an object pronoun, the correct question word is "whom."

Who/whom do you love best?

I love she.

I love her.

Her is an object pronoun, so the question should be: Whom do you love best?

Who/whom is playing soccer today?

She is playing soccer today.

Her is playing soccer today.

She is an subject pronoun, so the question should be: Who is playing soccer today?

The great thing about subject/object pronouns is that we use the common ones enough to know definitely which ones are correct and which ones are incorrect.  When you find a hard one, turn it into something simple.