RR.3 Replace nouns with personal pronouns
What are pronouns?
Pronouns are words that take the place of nouns in a sentence. They help avoid repeating the same nouns over and over.
- Maria has a dog. She walks the dog every day.
- The book is heavy. It is hard to carry.
- The boys are playing. They are having fun.
A pronoun must clearly match the noun it replaces so the reader knows who or what the sentence is about.
Personal pronouns
Personal pronouns refer to specific people or things. They change depending on who is speaking and who is being talked about.
- I, me
- you
- he, him
- she, her
- it
- we, us
- they, them
Some personal pronouns are used as the subject of a sentence, and others are used as the object.
Subject pronouns
Subject pronouns are used as the subject of a sentence. They tell who or what is doing the action.
- I am ready for school.
- She reads every night.
- They are building a fort.
If the pronoun is doing the action, it is usually a subject pronoun.
Object pronouns
Object pronouns receive the action in a sentence. They often come after a verb or a preposition.
- Mom helped me with my homework.
- The teacher called him.
- The dog followed them.
If the pronoun is being acted upon, it is an object pronoun.
Replacing nouns with pronouns
Pronouns can replace nouns to make sentences smoother and easier to read.
- The girl lost the girl’s pencil. → She lost her pencil.
- The cat chased the cat’s tail. → It chased its tail.
- My brother and I went outside. → We went outside.
Always make sure the pronoun agrees with the noun in number (one or more than one) and meaning.
Using pronouns correctly in sentences
Using the correct pronoun helps your writing sound clear and correct.
- Correct: He and I are friends.
- Correct: The gift is for her.
- Correct: The students finished their work.
When you are unsure which pronoun to use, read the sentence out loud and listen for what sounds right.