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      English subject pronouns

      What are subject pronouns in English grammar? Subject pronouns replace nouns or noun phrases in subject position. Learn English subject pronouns usage and find out subject pronouns types, examples and common mistakes.

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      Subject pronouns (plural, singular): He has a dog. A0

      Explanation

      A pronoun can be used instead of a noun or noun phrase. A subject pronoun is the subject of a sentence.

      subject pronoun + verb

      Example

      I am Anna.
      You are American.
      He has a dog.
      She speaks German.
      We play basketball.
      They like football.

      Common mistakes

      'He' is the masculine subject pronoun. 'She' is the feminine form.

      He is Anna.

      She is Anna.

      Subject pronouns (dummy 'it'): It is hot. A0

      Explanation

      A pronoun is used instead of a noun or noun phrase.
      'It' can be used as a subject in a sentence when talking about time and the weather.
      When used this way, 'it' is often called an "empty subject" or "dummy it".



      'It' + 'is'
      'Is + 'it'...?
      'Wh-' question word + 'is' + 'it'...?

      Example

      It is hot and sunny.
      It isn't cold.
      Is it warm today?
      What time is it?
      It's 10 o'clock.

      Common mistakes

      'It' is 3rd person singular, so it uses 'is.'

      It are hot and sunny.

      It is hot and sunny.

      Subject pronouns (dummy 'it'): It is 10 o'clock. A1

      Explanation

      A pronoun is used to replace a noun or noun phrase.
      'It' can be used as a subject in a sentence when talking about time and the weather.

      When used this way, 'it' is often called an "empty subject" or "dummy."

      'It' + 'be'...
      'Be' + 'it'...?
      'Wh-' question word + 'be' + 'it'?

      Example

      It is hot and sunny.
      It isn't cold.
      Is it warm today?
      What time is it?
      It is 10 o'clock.

      Common mistakes

      Another "dummy subject" is 'there'. Dummy 'it' and dummy 'there' have different meanings.

      There is hot and sunny.

      It is hot and sunny.

      Subject pronouns (plural, singular): She is Joanna. A1

      Explanation

      A pronoun is used to replace a noun or noun phrase.
      A subject pronoun is the subject of a sentence.

      I, you, he, she, it, we, they

      subject pronoun + verb

      Example

      I am Joanna.
      They are Australian.
      We are students.
      It is very nice to meet you.
      Aren't you from Australia? No. We're not from Australia.
      Is Ann your sister? No, she isn't my sister.

      Common mistakes

      'You' may be singular or plural but always uses the plural form of the verb.

      You is my friend.

      You are my friend.

      Subject pronouns (dummy 'there'): There are many books A2

      Explanation

      A pronoun is used instead of a noun or noun phrase.

      'There' can be used as a subject in a sentence as a placeholder with no lexical meaning except to be used as an introductory phrase related to a person, subject, or action, especially when talking about their existence.

      When used this way, 'there' is often called an "empty subject" or "dummy there".



      there +be

      Example

      Is there much to see in Washington state?
      There are many natural attractions.

      Common mistakes

      Dummy 'there' requires subject/verb agreement with the complement.

      There is many jobs in IT.

      There are many jobs in IT.

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      Exercise 1

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      Exercise 2

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      Exercise 3

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      Exercise 4

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      Free resources about English Pronouns

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      7/31/2020

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