An object pronoun replaces a noun that receives the action of a verb or follows a preposition, such as me, him or them. Learners usually memorize the list quickly, but mistakes still happen when a sentence contains multiple pronouns, uses a preposition, or involves a verb like give or send that can take two objects at once.
This article explains what this form is, how it compares with a subject pronoun, the difference between direct and indirect objects, and provides exercises with answers.
What is an object pronoun?
Definition
An object pronoun is a pronoun that functions as the object of a verb or a preposition. It receives the action rather than performing it.
Example: The teacher called him yesterday. – “Him” receives the action of “called.”
The full list
The object forms in English are me, you, him, her, it, us, and them.
Subject pronoun and object pronoun: What is the difference?
This is a common point of confusion because most English pronouns have different forms depending on whether they act as the subject or the object of a sentence.
Subject pronoun
A subject pronoun performs the action of the verb and usually comes before it.
Examples: I, you, he, she, it, we, they
Object pronoun
This form receives the action of the verb or follows a preposition. It usually appears after the verb or preposition.
Examples: me, you, him, her, it, us, them
Comparison table
| Subject pronoun | Object pronoun |
| I | me |
| you | you |
| he | him |
| she | her |
| it | it |
| we | us |
| they | them |
Example: He called her. (He = subject pronoun, performing the action; her = object pronoun, receiving the action) They invited us to the wedding. (They = subject pronoun; us = object pronoun)
Notice that you and it have the same form in both roles, which can make them easy to overlook when learning this grammatical pattern.
Direct object pronoun
A direct object pronoun receives the action of the verb directly and answers the question “what?” or “whom?” after the verb.
Example: She invited them to the party. (Invited whom? – them.)
Direct object pronoun in English versus other languages
In English, a direct object usually comes after the verb, unlike in some languages where object pronouns can appear before it. Translating directly from another language can therefore produce incorrect word order. Remember that the object normally follows the verb, or comes after the verb and an indirect object in structures that allow both.
Indirect object pronoun and double-object verbs
Some verbs, such as give, send, show, tell, offer, and buy, can take both a direct object and an indirect object. The indirect object refers to the person who receives or benefits from the direct object.
Example: She gave him the book. – “Him” is the indirect object (the recipient), while “the book” is the direct object (the item given).
The same pattern applies to other common verbs, including tell, show, offer, and send. This structure can also be rewritten using “to” or “for” plus the object form, placing it after the direct object.
Example: She gave the book to him. He bought a gift for her.
Both patterns are correct, but the word order changes depending on the structure.
Object pronoun after a preposition
These forms also appear after prepositions, not just after verbs.
Example: This letter is for you. Can you sit next to me? They are talking about her.
A common area of confusion is a phrase such as “between you and me,” where learners sometimes incorrectly use the subject form.
Correct: This is a secret between you and me. Incorrect: This is a secret between you and I.
Because the phrase follows the preposition “between,” both words must use the object form.
Object pronouns in comparisons
Comparisons with “than” or “as” sometimes omit words, making it unclear whether a subject or object form is needed.
Example: She is taller than I. (Full form: taller than I am – subject pronoun, since it is the subject of an implied verb.) She likes him more than me. (Full form: more than she likes me – object pronoun, since it is the object of an implied verb.)
In casual speech, than me is often used in both situations. In formal writing, however, completing the omitted clause mentally can help determine which form fits the intended meaning.
Common mistakes
- Using a subject pronoun after a preposition. Write This is between you and me, not This is between you and I.
- Using a subject pronoun as a direct object. Write She called me yesterday, not She called I yesterday.
- Confusing the order of direct and indirect objects. Write She gave him the book or She gave the book to him, not She gave the book him.
- Mixing up “me” and “I” in compound subjects or objects. Write He and I went to the store, not Me and him went to the store. When both words are objects, use the appropriate object forms.
- Forgetting that “you” and “it” do not change form. Unlike most English pronouns, these two retain the same form whether they are subjects or objects.
Object pronoun exercises with answers
Exercise 1: Choose the correct pronoun
- Can you help ______ (I / me) with this problem?
- The manager spoke to ______ (they / them) yesterday.
- This gift is for ______ (she / her).
- Please sit next to ______ (we / us).
Sample answers: 1. me – 2. them – 3. her – 4. us
Exercise 2: Subject pronoun or object pronoun?
- She called him last night. → She: subject pronoun; him: object pronoun
- They invited us to dinner. → They: subject pronoun; us: object pronoun
- I gave it to her. → I: subject pronoun; it and her: object pronouns
Exercise 3: Find and correct the error
- This is a secret between you and I. → Correct: you and me.
- Her and me are best friends. → Correct: She and I.
- The teacher gave the test they. → Correct: gave them the test or gave the test to them.
Object pronoun worksheets and games for practice
An object pronoun worksheet typically combines multiple-choice questions, identification tasks, and error correction. A comparison table can help learners review subject and object forms side by side.
An object pronoun game, such as matching subject forms with their corresponding object forms or building sentences with word cards, can make repeated practice more engaging, particularly for younger learners who benefit from active activities rather than written exercises alone.
An object pronoun replaces a noun that receives the action of a verb or follows a preposition. Most English pronouns change form depending on their grammatical role, except for you and it. Understanding direct and indirect objects, along with the correct forms after prepositions, helps learners avoid the most common mistakes.
See also: Indefinite pronoun: What it is and how to use it
Frequently asked questions
What is an object pronoun?
An object pronoun functions as the object of a verb or a preposition, receiving the action rather than performing it. The forms in English are me, you, him, her, it, us, and them.
What is the difference between a subject pronoun and an object pronoun?
A subject pronoun performs the action of the verb and usually comes before it, such as he in “He called her.” An object pronoun receives the action or follows a preposition, such as her in the same sentence. Most pronouns change form between the two roles, except for you and it.
Why is “between you and I” incorrect?
“Between” is a preposition, and pronouns that follow a preposition must use the object form. Therefore, the correct phrase is “between you and me,” not “between you and I.” This mistake often occurs because speakers learn to avoid “me” in subject position and then use “I” incorrectly in places where an object form is required.
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