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Subject Pronouns: The Complete List, Rules, and Examples
The 7 words that go before the verb in English, explained with examples and the mistakes learners make most often.
Written by Bryan López, Profesor de inglés · Updated
Subject pronouns are the words that perform the action of a verb: I, you, he, she, it, we, and they. They always come before the verb, and in English you can never drop them, unlike many languages where the verb ending already tells you who's speaking. They're the building block of every English sentence.
The 7 subject pronouns in English
Why you can never drop the pronoun in English
In many languages, the verb ending already tells you who's doing the action, so the pronoun is optional. English verbs barely change (work, work, work), so dropping the subject pronoun leaves the sentence incomplete. "Work in a bank" isn't a valid English sentence, you need "I work in a bank." This is the single most common mistake for learners whose first language allows dropping the subject.
Subject pronouns vs. object pronouns
Which one goes where
"She calls him every day." Here "she" performs the action of calling and "him" receives it. Swap them around, "Her calls he every day," and the sentence stops making sense. The same rule applies after a preposition (for, to, with, from, about): always use the object pronoun. Can you help me? / This gift is for her. / We work with them.
Practice subject pronouns with real audio
Interactive exercises, real pronunciation, and the full lesson taught in English.
'She and I' or 'her and me'?
"She and I went to the mall" is correct. "Her and me went to the mall" is not, even though it might sound natural in casual speech. The trick: drop the other pronoun and test the sentence on its own. "I went to the mall" sounds right, so the full sentence is "She and I went to the mall." The same slip happens in reverse: a lot of people say "Me and my friend went to the party" when it should be "My friend and I went to the party."
Other common mistakes
Using "it" for people. "It" is only for things and animals without a name, never for a person: say "He is my friend" or "She is my friend," never "It is my friend." Mixing up "you" singular and plural. English uses the same word for one person or a whole group: "You are late" works whether you're talking to one person or five. Using the object pronoun as the subject out of habit, like "Him is my teacher" instead of "He is my teacher," usually comes from memorizing set phrases instead of the actual rule.
It, there, and dummy subjects
English needs a subject in every sentence, even when there is nothing real to name. In those cases it uses "it" or "there": "It is raining." "It is ten o'clock." "There is a problem." Spanish often leaves the subject out, so learners may forget it in English and say "Is raining" or "Is very cold." Always check that each sentence has a subject before the verb.
Examples of subject pronouns
- We are friends, and they are my neighbors.
- It is cold today, and you need a jacket.
- She and I work together.
- Are they coming to the party?
- He doesn't know, but I do.
A missing subject
Incorrect
Is very cold today.
Correct
It is very cold today.
Frequently asked questions
What is a subject pronoun in English?
It's the pronoun that performs the action of the verb and comes before it: I, you, he, she, it, we, and they. In "She works in Guatemala," "she" is the subject pronoun.
What are the 7 subject pronouns in English?
I, you, he, she, it, we, and they. Those are the only 7, and they always come before the verb.
What's the difference between subject and object pronouns?
The subject pronoun performs the action and comes before the verb (I, he, she...); the object pronoun receives it and comes after the verb or a preposition (me, him, her...). Compare: "He calls her" vs. "She calls him."
When do I use 'I' and when do I use 'me'?
"I" when the pronoun is doing the action, meaning it's the subject: "I like coffee." "Me" when it's receiving the action or follows a preposition: "Coffee makes me happy" / "This is for me."
Can you drop the subject pronoun in English?
No. Unlike languages where the verb ending already shows who's speaking, English verbs barely change, so the pronoun is required. "Work in a bank" isn't correct, it has to be "I work in a bank."
Do you use he, she, or it for an animal?
Use "it" for animals without a name or unknown gender. If the animal has a name or you're close to it, like a pet, most speakers use "he" or "she": "My dog is happy, he loves walks."
Do I always need a subject with commands?
No. In the imperative, the subject you is understood: "Sit down!" "Close the door." Everything else needs a subject.
What is the difference between you and they for people in general?
Both can refer to people in general: "You can't park here" and "They say it will rain." You includes the listener, and they refers to some group or authorities.
Practice subject pronouns with real audio
Interactive exercises, real pronunciation, and the full lesson taught in English.
Keep learning
- Object Pronouns in English: Me, You, Him, Her, It, Us, ThemThe 7 pronouns that go after the verb in English, with examples and what they're really for.
- Possessive Adjectives in English: My, Your, His, Her, Its, Our, TheirThe 7 possessive adjectives in English, with examples and the two mix-ups everyone makes: its/it's and your/you're.
- Verb To Be: Am, Is, Are, Was, Were ExplainedThe 8 forms of English's most important verb, explained with examples and contractions.