Yes, a pronoun can be an object. In linguistics, an object pronoun is a personal pronoun that is used typically as a grammatical object: the direct or indirect object of a verb, or the object of a preposition. Object pronouns contrast with subject pronouns, which are used as the subject of a sentence.
Understanding Object Pronouns
Definition of Object Pronouns
Object pronouns are a type of personal pronoun that serve as the object in a sentence. They are used to replace nouns or noun phrases that are the recipients of an action or the objects of a preposition.
Difference between Subject and Object Pronouns
The main difference between subject pronouns and object pronouns is their grammatical function in a sentence. Subject pronouns (e.g., I, you, he, she, it, we, they) act as the subject of a sentence, while object pronouns (e.g., me, you, him, her, it, us, them) act as the object.
Subject Pronouns:
– I see the dog.
– She is going to the park.
– They finished their homework.
Object Pronouns:
– The dog sees me.
– I am going with her.
– The teacher called on them.
Forms of Object Pronouns
Object pronouns have different forms compared to subject pronouns. Here are the common object pronoun forms in English:
Subject Pronoun | Object Pronoun |
---|---|
I | me |
you | you |
he | him |
she | her |
it | it |
we | us |
they | them |
Usage of Object Pronouns
Object pronouns are used in the following ways:
- Direct Object: The object pronoun receives the action of the verb.
- They see me.
- I called him.
-
The teacher praised us.
-
Indirect Object: The object pronoun indicates the recipient of the action.
- The teacher gave me the book.
- I sent her a letter.
-
The company offered them a promotion.
-
Object of a Preposition: The object pronoun follows a preposition.
- I went with him.
- The book is for her.
- The team competed against us.
Examples of Object Pronouns in Sentences
- Direct Object:
- The teacher called on me to answer the question.
- The dog chased him down the street.
-
The students admired her artwork.
-
Indirect Object:
- The librarian gave me the book I requested.
- The company offered him a promotion.
-
The teacher assigned us a group project.
-
Object of a Preposition:
- The cat is hiding under it.
- The team competed against them in the tournament.
- The gift is for her.
Exercises and Quizzes
- Fill in the blanks with the correct object pronoun:
- The teacher gave the book to ______. (me, I)
- The dog is running towards ______. (he, him)
-
The gift is for ______. (she, her)
-
Identify the object pronouns in the following sentences:
- The teacher called on him to answer the question.
- I bought a new toy for her.
-
The team invited us to their game.
-
Rewrite the following sentences using object pronouns:
- The teacher gave the book to the student. (The teacher gave the book to him.)
- The cat is hiding under the table. (The cat is hiding under it.)
- The team competed against the other team. (The team competed against them.)
Conclusion
In summary, pronouns can serve as objects in a sentence, and these pronouns are called object pronouns. Object pronouns have different forms compared to subject pronouns and are used as the direct or indirect object of a verb or as the object of a preposition. Understanding the usage and forms of object pronouns is crucial for effective communication and proper grammar in the English language.
References
- Object Pronoun – Wikipedia
- Subject and Object Pronouns – Scribbr
- Object Pronouns – YourDictionary
- Object Pronouns in English – Duolingo
- Object Pronouns – Ginger Software
Hi… I am Sowndharya Jagadeeswaran, a university rank holder in M.A. English Literature. I have also done my master’s in Business Administration. Inquisitive as I am, my interest in action-oriented research helped me publish research papers in reputed journals. Now, as a career, I am an instructor where I teach young and adorable students the intricate technicalities of Public Speaking and Creative Writing. I also enjoy writing articles on topics I specialize and research in.
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