Object Pronouns In English

Introduction

This page explores the intricacies of object pronouns in English grammar! We’ll discuss the role and usage of object pronouns, distinguishing them from other pronoun types, and providing practical examples to enhance your understanding.

What are object pronouns?

An object pronoun, alternatively known as an objective pronoun, serves as the direct or indirect object of a verb or preposition. This stands in contrast to a subject or subjective pronoun, which takes on the role of the subject in a sentence, being the one performing the action of the verb.

To illustrate, consider the following examples:

1. He begged her to live with him. (her is the object of the verb begged, and him is the object of the preposition with)
2. She told them the truth. (them is the object of the verb told)

Object pronouns replace object nouns, a linguistic choice often made when the audience is already aware of the referred object.

Objective Pronouns In English

Object pronouns in English are the following:

me, you, him, her, it, us, them

Objective Pronouns Placement

Object pronouns follow either a verb (e.g., “like”) or a preposition (e.g., “to”) in a sentence.

Examples:

• I like you, but you don’t like me.
• Do you really hate her?
• She loves sitting next to him.
• She always writes emails to us.
• He’s talking to her about it.

Distinguishing Objective Pronouns from Other Pronoun Types

Object pronouns differ from:

• Subject pronouns: Subject pronouns represent the doer of the action in a sentence (e.g., “he,” “she,” “they”).
• Possessive adjectives: Possessive adjectives indicate ownership or possession (e.g., “my,” “your,” “their”).
• Possessive pronouns: Possessive pronouns show possession more emphatically by replacing the noun (e.g., “mine,” “yours,” “theirs”).
• Reflexive pronouns: Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject and emphasize the action’s reflection on the doer (e.g., “myself,” “yourself,” “themselves”).

Review:

Subject Pronouns	Possessive Adjectives	Possessive Pronouns	Reflexive Pronouns	Object Pronouns
I	my	mine	myself	me
you	your	yours	yourself	you
he	his	his	himself	him
she	her	hers	herself	her
it	its	its	itself	it
we	our	ours	ourselves	us
you	your	yours	yourselves	you
they	their	theirs	themselves	them

More on objective pronouns here.

Conclusion

Objective pronouns are essential components of English grammar. They function as the direct or indirect recipients of verbs and prepositions, seamlessly integrating into sentences to convey precise meaning. They are distinct from subject pronouns, possessive adjectives, possessive pronouns, and reflexive pronouns.