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FF.1 Learn to identify personal pronouns

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What are personal pronouns?

Personal pronouns are words we use to take the place of nouns that name people or things. They help us avoid repeating the same nouns over and over again.

Examples:
  • Maria is my friend. → She is my friend.
  • The book is on the desk. → It is on the desk.
  • John and I are going to the park. → We are going to the park.
Note

Personal pronouns make sentences clearer and shorter. Instead of repeating names or nouns, use pronouns to keep your writing smooth.

Types of personal pronouns

Personal pronouns can show whether the speaker is talking about himself or herself (first person), the person being spoken to (second person), or someone or something else (third person).

Examples by Person:
  • First person: I, we
  • Second person: you
  • Third person: he, she, it, they
Note

Think of “first person” as the speaker, “second person” as the listener, and “third person” as anyone or anything else.

Subject and object pronouns

Personal pronouns can act as the subject (who is doing the action) or the object (who is receiving the action) in a sentence.

Examples:
  • Subject pronoun: She runs fast. (She is doing the action)
  • Object pronoun: The ball hit him. (Him is receiving the action)
  • Both: We called them. (We = subject, them = object)
Note

Subject pronouns include: I, you, he, she, it, we, they. Object pronouns include: me, you, him, her, it, us, them.

Singular and plural pronouns

Personal pronouns can be singular (for one person or thing) or plural (for more than one person or thing).

Examples:
  • Singular: I, me, he, she, it, him, her
  • Plural: we, us, you, they, them
  • I like ice cream.” → singular
  • They are playing soccer.” → plural
Note

Use singular pronouns for one person or thing, and plural pronouns for groups of people or things.

Using personal pronouns in sentences

Personal pronouns make sentences easier to read and write. Always be sure your pronoun matches the noun it replaces in number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third).

Examples:
  • “Anna is kind.” → “She is kind.”
  • “The dogs are barking.” → “They are barking.”
  • “My brother and I are studying.” → “We are studying.”
Note

When choosing a pronoun, ask yourself: does it clearly replace the noun and agree in number and person?