Object Pronouns
Object pronouns are words that replace nouns when they receive the action of a verb or follow a preposition.
Examples:
-
Mary saw me.
-
John spoke to her.
-
They invited us.
-
She called him.
In these sentences, the object pronouns receive the action rather than perform it.
English Object Pronouns
| Subject Pronoun |
Object Pronoun |
| I |
me |
| we |
us |
| you |
you |
| he |
him |
| she |
her |
| it |
it |
| they |
them |
Examples:
-
She helped me.
-
We saw them.
-
I called him.
-
They invited us.
Learning the difference between subject and object pronouns is important because English uses different forms for these (except for you).
Where Do Object Pronouns Appear?
Object pronouns usually appear:
After a Verb
-
She saw me.
-
I know him.
-
They invited us.
After a Preposition
-
She spoke to him.
-
This gift is for her.
-
They sat beside us.
Direct and Indirect Objects
There are two common types of objects.
Direct Objects
A direct object receives the action of the verb directly.
Examples:
-
I saw him.
-
She called me.
-
They invited us.
Questions:
-
Whom did I see? → him
-
Whom did she call? → me
Indirect Objects
An indirect object receives something or benefits from an action.
Examples:
In these examples:
-
him, me, and us are indirect objects.
-
the book, a message, and the photos are direct objects.
Two Possible Word Orders
Many common verbs allow two patterns:
Pattern 1
verb + direct object + to + indirect object
Pattern 2
verb + indirect object + direct object
-
I gave him the book.
-
She sent me the message.
Both patterns are correct.
Not All Verbs Allow Both Patterns
Some longer verbs are usually followed by a preposition.
Examples:
-
I donated the money to the charity. ✅
-
I donated the charity the money. ❌
-
She explained the problem to us. ✅
-
She explained us the problem. ❌
Many common short verbs allow both patterns:
-
give
-
send
-
show
-
tell
-
offer
Examples:
Subject Pronouns vs. Object Pronouns
A very common ESL mistake is using object pronouns as subjects.
Compare:
| Subject |
Object |
| I |
me |
| we |
us |
| he |
him |
| she |
her |
| they |
them |
Examples:
-
He and I are friends. ✅
-
Me and him are friends. ❌
-
She and I went shopping. ✅
-
Her and me went shopping. ❌
Common ESL Errors
Using an object pronoun as a subject
-
Me like pizza. ❌
-
I like pizza. ✅
-
Him works here. ❌
-
He works here. ✅
Using a subject pronoun after a preposition
-
This is for I. ❌
-
This is for me. ✅
-
She sat beside he. ❌
-
She sat beside him. ✅
Object Pronouns After Prepositions
Use object pronouns after:
-
to
-
for
-
with
-
from
-
beside
-
between
-
about
Examples:
Quick Rule
Use object pronouns:
-
after verbs
-
after prepositions
-
This gift is for her.
-
Come with us.
Remember:
-
I, we, he, she, they = subject pronouns
-
me, us, him, her, them = object pronouns
Examples:
ESLwriter