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A subject pronoun—also referred to as a subjective pronoun—replaces a noun that is in the subject position of a dependent or independent clause. This means that it performs rather than receives the action of the clause.
Subject pronouns serve language by helping us avoid redundancy and be more frugal with language. Consider the following text:
| Steadman plays cards. Steadman also plays competitively. Steadman will be entering the next $100,000 poker tournament. |
Now let's replace Steadman with the personal pronoun he in the second and third sentences:
| Steadman plays cards. He also plays competitively. He will be entering the next $100,000 poker tournament. |
Although the two versions share the same structure, which do you find easier to read? The first version's use of Steadman becomes repetitive while also using more character space. The second version exchanges the personal pronoun he for Steadman to prevent such redundancy and establish better, more-readable content.
Note that a subject pronoun should have a clear antecedent, which is the word, phrase, or clause that replaces the main noun being referred to. In our example above, Steadman is the antecedent of he.
A subject pronoun can also be plural:
| The Robinsons will visit for dinner tonight. They will bring the dessert. |
Subject Pronouns: Types
Subject pronouns can be different kinds of pronouns. Their antecedents also can be either personal or impersonal.
Examples
Arnie works at the candy factory. He (personal pronoun; antecedent Arnie) is a packaging-machine operator.
Your former high-school classmates are in town. All (indefinite pronoun; antecedent classmates) are welcome to join us at the lake.
The car needs a new battery. It (impersonal pronoun; antecedent car) probably won't run much longer without one.
Here are the report files. These (demonstrative pronoun; antecedent files) have kept me busy all week.
Kristin has been promoted to store manager, which (relative pronoun; antecedent the full clause Kristin has been promoted to store manager) should make daily operations more efficient. |
Subject Pronouns: Different from Object Pronouns
As reinforcement, we'll quickly review the difference between subject pronouns and object pronouns.
We pointed out above that subject pronouns perform an action (object pronouns receive an action). Consider the following sentences:
| There's Luke. He has a light saber. |
In the second sentence, the subject pronoun he stands in for its antecedent, Luke, and performs the action of having a light saber.
Now consider this:
| There's Luke. Who gave him a light saber? |
In this pair of sentences, the pronoun him likewise stands in for its antecedent, Luke. However, in this case, the pronoun is receiving the action. The pronoun who is performing the action (and we don't know from the context what the antecedent is).
Now you that you further understand what subject pronouns are, when to use them, and how they differ from object pronouns, you can use them with even greater effect in your mission for precision and eloquence.
Related Topics
Pronouns
Pronoun Tips
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Pop Quiz
Applying what you've learned from this discussion, identify the subject pronouns in the following sentences (not all will include an antecedent; also remember that subject pronouns can appear in both dependent and independent clauses).
1. She is driving him to the train station.
2. I have the case of motor oil that they are looking for. I will bring it to them tomorrow.
3. Stacy would to like to learn the violin. She is ready to start practicing.
4. It might bite you if you keep petting it that way.
5. The students will begin the exam at 1:00 p.m. Each should have at least two sharpened pencils.
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Wordplay
Pop Quiz Answers
1. She is driving him to the train station.
2. I have the case of motor oil that they are looking for. I will bring it to them tomorrow.
3. Stacy would to like to learn the violin. She is ready to start practicing.
4. It might bite you if you keep petting it that way.
5. The students will begin the exam at 1:00 p.m. Each of them should have at least two sharpened pencils.
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