Personal Pronouns Exercises
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Subject Personal Pronouns
Personal pronouns replace nouns so we don't have to repeat the same names or objects in every sentence. In English, subject pronouns show who or what is performing the action.
- I and We:
- Use 'I' for yourself, and 'we' for yourself plus other people.
- You:
- Use 'you' for the person you are talking to, whether it is one person or a group of people.
- He and She:
- Use 'he' to replace the name of a man, and 'she' to replace the name of a woman.
- It:
- Use 'it' for a singular object, an animal, or general conditions like the weather and time.
- They:
- Use 'they' for plural people, animals, or things.
Examples
My supervisor is in a meeting, but she will call you back later.
'She' replaces the female supervisor.
My colleagues and I are reviewing the budget, so we need more time.
'We' replaces 'My colleagues and I'.
The printer is broken again, and it needs a new ink cartridge.
'It' replaces the singular object 'The printer'.
Are you available for a quick interview tomorrow?
'You' addresses the listener directly.
The clients arrived early, and they are waiting in the lobby.
'They' replaces the plural noun 'The clients'.
Practice exercises
Choose the Correct Pronoun
Select the correct personal pronoun to complete each sentence.
1.John is the new manager. ___ starts working here on Monday.
2.My wife and I travel a lot for work. ___ usually fly with Delta Airlines.
3.Don't forget your umbrella. ___ is raining heavily outside.
4.The financial reports are ready. ___ are on your desk.
5.Excuse me, do ___ know where the nearest subway station is?
Fill in the Blanks
Type the correct personal pronoun in the blank.
Build the Sentence
Click the words in the correct order to build the sentence.
11. Build the sentence:
12. Build the sentence:
13. Build the sentence:
14. Build the sentence:
True or False
Decide if each statement is true or false.
15.In English, there is a different subject pronoun for a singular 'you' (one person) and a plural 'you' (a group).
16.We use 'it' to replace the names of singular objects, animals, and weather conditions.
17.The pronoun 'I' is only capitalized when it is the first word in a sentence.
18.You can use 'they' to talk about plural objects, not just plural people.
The Mechanics of Personal Pronouns in English
Imagine listening to a coworker describe a recent business trip: 'John went to the airport, then John checked John's bags, and finally John boarded John's flight.' It sounds repetitive and highly unnatural. Working through personal pronouns exercises helps you avoid this exact problem. By swapping out heavy nouns for small stand-ins like 'he,' 'she,' or 'it,' your speech instantly becomes more efficient and fluid.
English relies heavily on subject pronouns to establish who or what is performing an action. Because English verbs do not change their endings very much, omitting the pronoun leaves the listener entirely confused. You cannot simply say 'went to the bank'—you must specify 'I went' or 'they went' to clarify the subject. These pronouns act as the structural anchors of almost every sentence you will speak or write.
One aspect that often surprises adult learners is the flexibility of 'you' and 'they.' The pronoun 'you' gracefully handles both a one-on-one conversation with a client and an address to an entire auditorium of people. Similarly, 'they' is incredibly versatile. While it obviously applies to groups of people, it is equally necessary for plural objects. Two lost suitcases are a 'they,' not an 'it.'
Finally, the pronoun 'it' serves a unique role in English as a structural placeholder for abstract concepts. When discussing the weather, time, or distance, English grammar still requires a subject. We say 'it is raining' or 'it is five o'clock' because the sentence structure demands a subject, and 'it' steps in to fill that void. By mastering these foundational rules in the exercises above, you prepare yourself for clear, confident communication in any daily setting.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to say the name of a person before I use a pronoun?
Usually, yes. A pronoun replaces a noun. If you walk into a room and say 'She is late,' people will not know who you mean unless you previously mentioned her name or pointed at her.
Can I use 'it' for my pet dog or cat?
While 'it' is grammatically correct for animals, English speakers often use 'he' or 'she' for family pets if they know the animal's gender. For wild animals or animals on the street, 'it' is standard.
Is there a plural form of the word 'it'?
Yes, the plural of 'it' is 'they'. If you have one book, you say 'it is on the desk.' If you have two books, you say 'they are on the desk.'
Why is 'I' always capitalized in English?
This is a historical spelling convention in English. Unlike other pronouns like 'he' or 'you', the word 'I' is always written with a capital letter, even in the middle of a sentence.