Year 7 English: Choose Between Subject and Object Pronouns

In English, pronouns are words we use to replace nouns so that we don’t have to repeat the same noun over and over again. For example, instead of saying “Tom went to the shop. Tom bought a drink,” we can say, “Tom went to the shop. He bought a drink.”

When using pronouns, it’s important to know whether to use a subject pronoun or an object pronoun. Let’s go over what these are, how to use them, and give you tips to help you understand which one to choose.

What Are Subject Pronouns?

Subject pronouns are the ones that do the action in a sentence. They replace the subject (the person or thing doing the action) in the sentence.

Subject Pronouns:

• I, you, he, she, it, we, they

Example:

• “Tom went to the park” → “He went to the park.”
• Here, he is the subject pronoun, replacing Tom (the subject).

Key Rule:

Use a subject pronoun when the pronoun is doing the action.

What Are Object Pronouns?

Object pronouns are the ones that receive the action in a sentence. They replace the object (the person or thing the action is happening to) in the sentence.

Object Pronouns:

• me, you, him, her, it, us, them

Example:

• “Sarah saw Tom” → “Sarah saw him.”
• Here, him is the object pronoun, replacing Tom (the object).

Key Rule:

Use an object pronoun when the pronoun is receiving the action.

Choosing Between Subject and Object Pronouns

• Use subject pronouns (I, he, she, we, etc.) when the pronoun is doing the action in the sentence.
• Example: “He runs fast.”
• Use object pronouns (me, him, her, them, etc.) when the pronoun is receiving the action.
• Example: “I saw him yesterday.”

Examples:

1. Subject Pronouns:

• We went to the cinema. (“We” is doing the action of going.)
• She is reading a book. (“She” is doing the action of reading.)

1. Object Pronouns:

• The teacher called me. (“Me” is receiving the action of being called.)
• I gave the keys to them. (“Them” is receiving the action of being given the keys.)

Tips for Remembering

1. Subject = who does the action:

• If you’re talking about the person or thing doing something, use a subject pronoun (I, he, she, we, they).

1. Object = who receives the action:

• If you’re talking about the person or thing that something happens to, use an object pronoun (me, him, her, us, them).

1. Check the verb: Look at the action (verb) in the sentence. Ask yourself: who is doing the action? That’s the subject. Who is receiving the action? That’s the object.

Common Mistakes

• Using object pronouns as subjects:
• Incorrect: “Me went to the park.”
• Correct: “I went to the park.”
• Using subject pronouns as objects:
• Incorrect: “He called I.”
• Correct: “He called me.”

Practice Examples

1. Subject Pronoun: He gave me a gift.
   (Who is doing the action? He)
2. Object Pronoun: The teacher talked to her.
   (Who is receiving the action? Her)

Questions

Easy Difficulty

1. What is the subject pronoun for “Tom”?
2. What is the object pronoun for “Sarah”?
3. Complete the sentence: “I saw __ (he/him) at the park.”
4. What subject pronoun replaces “Maria”?
5. Complete the sentence: “The teacher called __ (we/us).”
6. What object pronoun replaces “the children”?
7. Complete the sentence: “__ (She/Her) is my best friend.”
8. What is the subject pronoun for “the dog”?
9. Complete the sentence: “We gave a present to __ (they/them).”
10. What is the object pronoun for “John”?
11. Complete the sentence: “__ (They/Them) are playing football.”
12. What subject pronoun replaces “my mum and dad”?
13. Complete the sentence: “She gave the book to __ (I/me).”
14. What is the object pronoun for “Jessica”?
15. Complete the sentence: “He is friends with __ (we/us).”
16. What is the subject pronoun for “Emily”?
17. Complete the sentence: “The teacher talked to __ (him/he).”
18. What object pronoun replaces “the cat”?
19. Complete the sentence: “__ (We/Us) went to the zoo yesterday.”
20. What is the object pronoun for “my friends”?

Medium Difficulty

1. Complete the sentence: “__ (They/Them) are coming to the party.”
2. What is the subject pronoun for “the students”?
3. Complete the sentence: “The teacher told __ (I/me) to finish the task.”
4. What object pronoun replaces “the teacher”?
5. Complete the sentence: “__ (She/Her) didn’t want to go to the shops.”
6. What is the subject pronoun for “my brother and I”?
7. Complete the sentence: “My friend saw __ (they/them) at the cinema.”
8. What is the object pronoun for “James”?
9. Complete the sentence: “I want to talk to __ (he/him) after school.”
10. What is the subject pronoun for “the car”?
11. Complete the sentence: “I gave the sweets to __ (she/her).”
12. What is the object pronoun for “my grandparents”?
13. Complete the sentence: “__ (We/Us) should study for the test.”
14. What is the subject pronoun for “the dog”?
15. Complete the sentence: “They gave a gift to __ (me/I).”
16. What is the object pronoun for “Lucy”?
17. Complete the sentence: “The teacher asked __ (us/we) to work quietly.”
18. What is the subject pronoun for “the computer”?
19. Complete the sentence: “She is meeting __ (they/them) later.”
20. What object pronoun replaces “the book”?

High Difficulty

1. Complete the sentence: “The dog chased __ (he/him) in the garden.”
2. What is the subject pronoun for “my friends and I”?
3. Complete the sentence: “The headteacher called __ (we/us) into the office.”
4. What object pronoun replaces “the footballers”?
5. Complete the sentence: “__ (I/Me) am going to the concert tonight.”
6. What is the subject pronoun for “the team”?
7. Complete the sentence: “The coach gave __ (them/they) instructions before the match.”
8. What object pronoun replaces “the teachers”?
9. Complete the sentence: “She invited __ (me/I) to her party.”
10. What is the subject pronoun for “my family”?
11. Complete the sentence: “My sister helped __ (he/him) with his homework.”
12. What is the object pronoun for “the doctor”?
13. Complete the sentence: “__ (They/Them) are visiting their grandparents.”
14. What object pronoun replaces “the musicians”?
15. Complete the sentence: “The cat followed __ (we/us) home.”
16. What is the subject pronoun for “my parents”?
17. Complete the sentence: “I gave __ (her/she) the message.”
18. What is the object pronoun for “the puppy”?
19. Complete the sentence: “The teacher spoke to __ (we/us) about the project.”
20. What subject pronoun replaces “the students”?

Answers

Easy Difficulty

1. He
2. Her
3. Him
4. She
5. Us
6. Them
7. She
8. It
9. Them
10. Him
11. They
12. They
13. Me
14. Her
15. Us
16. She
17. Him
18. It
19. We
20. Them

Medium Difficulty

1. They
2. They
3. Me
4. Him
5. She
6. We
7. Them
8. Him
9. Him
10. It
11. Her
12. Them
13. We
14. It
15. Me
16. Her
17. Us
18. It
19. Them
20. It

High Difficulty

1. Him
2. We
3. Us
4. Them
5. I
6. It
7. Them
8. Them
9. Me
10. It
11. Him
12. Him
13. They
14. Them
15. Us
16. They
17. Her
18. It
19. Us
20. They