First, Second, and Third Person Pronouns Table with Usage and Examples
Understanding how to use first, second, and third person pronouns is important for writing, speaking, and scoring well in school exams. This topic helps you choose the right words when talking about yourself, your listener, or other people in both academic and everyday English. At Vedantu, we aim to make grammar simple and useful for you.
| Person | Singular Pronouns | Plural Pronouns |
|---|---|---|
| First Person | I, me, my, mine | we, us, our, ours |
| Second Person | you, your, yours | you, your, yours |
| Third Person | he, him, his, she, her, hers, it, its, they, them, their, theirs | they, them, their, theirs |
What Are First, Second, and Third Person Pronouns?
First, second, and third person pronouns show the point of view in English grammar. “First person” pronouns (like “I,” “we”) refer to the speaker or writer. “Second person” pronouns (“you”) address the listener or reader. “Third person” pronouns (“he,” “she,” “it,” “they”) refer to other people or things. Knowing the difference helps you avoid mistakes in exams and daily conversations.
Examples of First, Second, and Third Person Pronouns in Sentences
- First Person Singular: I enjoy cricket on weekends.
- First Person Plural: We finished our assignment early.
- Second Person: You should revise these rules for your exam.
- Third Person Singular: She works at the library after school.
- Third Person Plural: They always listen attentively in class.
Rules for Using First, Second, and Third Person Pronouns
- First person pronouns are used when you talk about yourself or include yourself in a group.
- Second person pronouns are used when directly addressing someone (the reader or listener).
- Third person pronouns refer to people, animals, or things not part of the conversation as speakers or listeners.
- Remember to match singular or plural forms correctly with verbs in your sentences.
- Don’t switch between persons in a sentence unless there’s a clear reason.
Common Mistakes to Avoid With Person Pronouns
- Mixing singular and plural forms (e.g., “They is” instead of “They are”).
- Confusing the person: writing “I will see you tomorrow, and then he will help you” (unclear who is being discussed).
- Using “you” instead of “he/she” or vice versa in formal writing.
- Not using possessive forms (“my,” “your,” “his,” etc.) correctly.
- Switching person accidentally in essays or stories.
Quick Practice: Identify and Correct Pronouns
- Maria said that Maria would help John with the project. → She said that she would help him with the project.
- The students forgot the students’ books. → They forgot their books.
- He is going to meet he’s teacher. → He is going to meet his teacher.
- I and you should complete I and you’s assignment. → We should complete our assignment.
For more exercises and quizzes to build confidence, try our Pronoun Quiz.
Summary
First, second, and third person pronouns help set the point of view in English sentences. They identify the speaker, the listener, or others. Understanding them supports better writing, school performance, and comfortable English communication. Use Vedantu’s grammar resources to master person pronouns for your class and daily life.
FAQs on First, Second, and Third Person Pronouns Explained with Examples
1. What are first, second, and third person pronouns in English?
First, second, and third person pronouns indicate the speaker's perspective in a sentence. First-person pronouns (I, we) refer to the speaker. Second-person pronouns (you) address the recipient. Third-person pronouns (he, she, it, they) refer to someone or something else.
2. Can you give examples of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd person pronouns?
Here are some examples:
- First person: I went to the store; We played football.
- Second person: You should study harder; You all did well.
- Third person: He is tall; She sings beautifully; It is raining; They are happy.
3. How are first, second, and third person pronouns used in sentences?
The choice of pronoun determines the sentence's point of view. First-person creates a personal narrative. Second-person directly addresses the reader. Third-person offers an objective description or story about others.
4. What is the difference between singular and plural pronouns for each person?
Each person has both singular and plural forms:
- First person: Singular (I), Plural (we)
- Second person: Singular and Plural (you)
- Third person: Singular (he, she, it), Plural (they)
5. Why is it important to know the difference between person pronouns?
Correct pronoun usage ensures clear communication and avoids ambiguity. It's crucial for writing, especially in formal settings and exams, to maintain consistent point of view and grammatical accuracy.
6. What are the objective and possessive forms of each person pronoun?
Pronouns have different forms depending on their grammatical function:
- First person: Subjective (I, we), Objective (me, us), Possessive (my, mine, our, ours)
- Second person: Subjective (you), Objective (you), Possessive (your, yours)
- Third person: Subjective (he, she, it, they), Objective (him, her, it, them), Possessive (his, her, hers, its, their, theirs)
7. How does switching between pronoun persons affect writing style and narrative?
Switching between persons can disrupt the flow and clarity of writing. Maintaining a consistent person throughout a piece is crucial for a coherent narrative and avoids confusing the reader.
8. What are some common mistakes made with person pronouns?
Common errors include inconsistent point of view, incorrect case usage (e.g., *him* instead of *he*), and inappropriate shifts between singular and plural forms.
9. How can I avoid making mistakes with pronoun person?
Carefully review your work to ensure consistent pronoun use. Use a checklist to guide your editing process, focusing on maintaining a single point of view. Practice identifying person pronouns in sentences.
10. What are the reflexive forms of personal pronouns?
Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject of the sentence. They include myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves.
11. How do I identify the person of a pronoun in a complex sentence?
Identify the subject of the main clause. The pronoun related to that subject indicates the person. If there are subordinate clauses, analyze each separately to pinpoint the person of the pronouns within those clauses.
