What Are Object Pronouns? Definition and Usage Explained with Examples
Object pronouns are key in English grammar. They replace nouns that receive the action in a sentence. Understanding object pronouns is important for school English, competitive exams, and in everyday writing or speaking. Correct use improves your communication and score in grammar tests.
| Person | Subject Pronoun | Object Pronoun | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| First person singular | I | me | The teacher called me. |
| Second person singular/plural | you | you | Can I help you? |
| Third person singular (male) | he | him | We met him at school. |
| Third person singular (female) | she | her | I saw her at the park. |
| Third person singular (neutral) | it | it | Move it here, please. |
| First person plural | we | us | Come with us. |
| Third person plural | they | them | I know them well. |
What Are Object Pronouns?
Object pronouns in English grammar refer to words like me, him, her, us, and them. They are used when a noun receives an action from a verb or is the object of a preposition. For example: “She called him.” Here, “him” is the object pronoun because he receives the action.
List of Object Pronouns and Student-Friendly Examples
- Me – “Can you hear me?”
- You – “We will invite you.”
- Him – “Give him the keys.”
- Her – “Please help her.”
- It – “Wash it before use.”
- Us – “They joined us later.”
- Them – “We congratulated them.”
How to Use Object Pronouns in Sentences
Object pronouns are placed after action verbs and prepositions. They show who is affected by the verb. In exams, look for the pronoun getting something or experiencing an action. Example: “My friend gave me a book.” (“Me” receives the book.)
Rules for Using Object Pronouns
- Always use object pronouns after verbs and prepositions (e.g., “She spoke to him”).
- Never use an object pronoun as the subject (incorrect: “Me went home”).
- Make sure the pronoun matches the noun it replaces in gender and number.
- Do not use both the noun and pronoun together (avoid: “Ask John him to come”).
Difference Between Object Pronouns and Subject Pronouns
| Function | Object Pronoun | Subject Pronoun |
|---|---|---|
| Receives the action | us, me, him, her, them | - |
| Performs the action | - | we, I, he, she, they |
| Position | After verb/preposition (“Call me”) | Before verb (“I call”) |
| Use in Exams | Who experiences or receives? | Who does the action? |
Quick Practice: Object Pronouns Exercises
- Tom waved at ___ (me / I).
- Could you help ___ (us / we) with homework?
- She gave ___ (him / he) the pen.
- We waited for ___ (them / they) at the bus stop.
- Dad took ___ (her / she) to the doctor.
Answers: me, us, him, them, her.
Common Mistakes with Object Pronouns
- Using object pronouns in the subject place (Incorrect: “Him is here”).
- Mixing “I” and “me” (“Between you and I” should be “Between you and me”).
- Forgetting to change gender or number to match the noun being replaced.
- Doubling up noun and pronoun (“Tell Michael him is late” – use one, not both).
Tips to Remember Object Pronouns
- After verbs or prepositions, use me, him, her, us, them.
- Make it a habit to check who is receiving the action.
- Try covering the words before the verb; if the pronoun sounds right (“Help me”), it’s probably correct.
- Practice with short sentences aloud for confidence.
Object pronouns in English grammar include me, him, her, us, and them. They are used to replace nouns as the object in sentences, helping you avoid repetition. Knowing when and how to use object pronouns makes your writing clear and helps you perform better in school, exams, and everyday communication.
- See more: Subject and Object Pronouns
- Practice here: Pronouns Exercises
- Broaden your knowledge: Pronouns – Indefinite
FAQs on Object Pronouns in English: Meaning, List & Examples
1. What are object pronouns and can you give some examples?
Object pronouns replace nouns that receive the action of a verb or preposition. Common examples include me, him, her, us, and them. For example: "She gave him the book." (him receives the book) or "I went to the store with them." (them accompanies the speaker).
2. What is the difference between subject and object pronouns?
Subject pronouns perform the action (e.g., I, he, she, we, they), while object pronouns receive the action (e.g., me, him, her, us, them). Subject pronouns come before the verb; object pronouns come after the verb or preposition.
3. How are object pronouns used with verbs?
Object pronouns follow action verbs. The verb's action is directed toward the object pronoun. Examples include: "They saw her." "He helped us." "She called me."
4. How are object pronouns used with prepositions?
Object pronouns follow prepositions (words like to, from, with, about). Examples: "He spoke to them." "She wrote a letter to him." "I sat beside her."
5. What are some common mistakes students make with object pronouns?
A common mistake is using subject pronouns (like he or she) where object pronouns (him or her) are needed. For example, instead of "She saw he," it should be "She saw him."
6. What are the rules for choosing the correct object pronoun?
Choose the object pronoun that matches the number (singular/plural) and gender (masculine/feminine/neuter) of the noun it replaces. Consider the sentence's structure to ensure correct placement after the verb or preposition.
7. How can I practice using object pronouns?
Practice with exercises that involve sentence completion, identifying object pronouns in sentences, and rewriting sentences to replace nouns with object pronouns. Look for online worksheets or create your own sentences.
8. Are there different object pronouns for different verb tenses?
No, the object pronouns themselves don't change based on verb tense. The verb tense changes, but the object pronoun remains the same (e.g., "She saw him" vs. "She will see him").
9. What is the object pronoun for 'who'?
The object pronoun for 'who' is 'whom'. 'Who' is a subject pronoun; 'whom' is an object pronoun. For example: "Who is at the door?" vs. "To whom did you give the book?"
10. How do object pronouns work in compound objects?
In sentences with compound objects (two or more objects), the object pronouns follow the same rules. For example: "He gave the book to her and me." The order can sometimes be flexible in informal speech but maintain grammatical correctness in formal writing.
11. What is the difference between a direct and indirect object pronoun?
A direct object receives the action of the verb directly (e.g., "She hit him"). An indirect object receives the result of the action (e.g., "She gave him the book"). Both are object pronouns.
12. Are object pronouns ever used incorrectly in informal speech?
Yes, informal speech may sometimes use object pronouns incorrectly, such as "Me and John went to the park." Grammatically, it should be "John and I went to the park." However, the informal usage is widespread, showing the flexibility of language in different settings.
