Subject Pronouns in English

By Author Giljonnys Dias da Silva 

 

Subject pronouns are an essential part of English grammar as they represent the subject of a sentence. They are used to replace the subject noun, which makes sentences shorter and avoids redundancy. In English, subject pronouns help to indicate who or what is performing the action of the verb. These pronouns vary depending on whether the subject is singular or plural and also depending on the formality of the conversation (though English pronouns don’t change based on formality, unlike languages such as Spanish or French).

 

The subject pronouns in English are:

 

I (Eu) – Refers to the speaker (singular, first person)

 

You (Você, tu, vocês, vós) – Refers to the person being spoken to (singular or plural, second person)

 

He (Ele) – Refers to a male person or animal (singular, third person)

 

She (Ela) – Refers to a female person or animal (singular, third person)

 

It (Ele, ela, isso) – Refers to things, animals (when gender is unknown or irrelevant), or concepts (singular, third person)

 

We (Nós) – Refers to the speaker and one or more other people (plural, first person)

 

They (Eles, elas) – Refers to two or more people, animals, or things (plural, third person)

 

These pronouns serve as the subject of the sentence. For example:

 

I am studying.

Eu estou estudando.

 

You are reading a book.

Você está lendo um livro.

 

He is playing football.

Ele está jogando futebol.

 

She is cooking dinner.

Ela está cozinhando o jantar.

 

It is raining.

Está chovendo.

 

We are going to the park.

Nós estamos indo ao parque.

 

You are my best friends.

Vocês são meus melhores amigos.

 

They are watching a movie.

Eles/Elas estão assistindo a um filme.

 

Examples of Sentences with Subject Pronouns in English and Their Translations into Brazilian Portuguese

 

I – Refers to the speaker.

 

I love music.

Eu amo música.

 

I am learning English.

Eu estou aprendendo inglês.

 

You – Refers to the person or people being spoken to.

 

You are my best friend.

Você é meu melhor amigo.

 

Are you coming to the party?

Você vai à festa?

 

He – Refers to a male person or animal.

 

He is reading a book.

Ele está lendo um livro.

 

He loves playing soccer.

Ele adora jogar futebol.

 

She – Refers to a female person or animal.

 

She is studying for the exam.

Ela está estudando para o exame.

 

She likes to cook.

Ela gosta de cozinhar.

 

It – Refers to things, animals, or when the gender is unknown.

 

It is a beautiful day.

Está um dia lindo.

 

It is raining outside.

Está chovendo lá fora.

 

The cat is cute. It is very playful.

O gato é fofo. Ele é muito brincalhão. (Note that we use "ele" here because in Portuguese, animals are usually referred to by their biological gender.)

 

We – Refers to the speaker and one or more other people.

 

We are going to the beach.

Nós estamos indo para a praia.

 

We have a meeting tomorrow.

Nós temos uma reunião amanhã.

 

They – Refers to two or more people, animals, or things.

 

They are playing in the garden.

Eles/Elas estão brincando no jardim.

 

They are my friends.

Eles são meus amigos.

 

Important Notes about Subject Pronouns in English

 

1. Gender Neutrality:

 

In English, the pronoun "they" is often used as a singular gender-neutral pronoun to refer to someone whose gender is unknown or to refer to non-binary individuals. For example:

 

Someone left their book here. They will need to come back for it.

Alguém deixou o livro deles aqui. Eles vão precisar voltar para pegar.

 

2. Use of "You" in Singular and Plural:

 

In English, the word "you" serves both as a singular and plural pronoun. It can refer to one person or a group of people. However, in Brazilian Portuguese, there is a distinction:

 

You are a great teacher.

Você é um ótimo professor.

 

Finally, subject pronouns in English are a vital part of sentence construction, helping to convey who is performing the action. Unlike some languages with complex gender and formal distinctions, English uses simple subject pronouns that are consistent in both casual and formal contexts. Understanding and properly using these pronouns is fundamental to effective communication in English. Moreover, learning how these pronouns translate into Brazilian Portuguese helps in developing a more nuanced understanding of both languages, as the use of subject pronouns in Portuguese is slightly more variable, often depending on formality and context.

 

Bibliographic References 

 

Azar, B. S. (2002). Understanding and Using English Grammar (3rd ed.). Pearson Education.

 

This book is a comprehensive guide to English grammar, including subject pronouns, and is widely used by learners and teachers of English as a second language.

 

Celce-Murcia, M., & Larsen-Freeman, D. (1999). The Grammar Book: An ESL/EFL Teacher's Course (2nd ed.). Heinle & Heinle.

 

A detailed resource on grammar, this book discusses subject pronouns and other key components of English sentence structure, making it a useful reference for both learners and instructors.

 

Swan, M. (2005). Practical English Usage (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.

 

A popular grammar reference book that provides clear explanations of English grammar topics, including the use of subject pronouns, and common errors related to them.

 

Biber, D., Conrad, S., & Leech, G. (2002). Longman Grammar of Spoken and Written English. Longman.

 

This grammar book delves into how subject pronouns are used in different contexts, with insights into both written and spoken English.

 

Greenbaum, S., & Quirk, R. (1990). A Student's Grammar of the English Language. Pearson Education.

 

This book provides an in-depth explanation of English grammar, with detailed sections on subject pronouns and their role in sentence construction.

 

Rodrigues, L. A. (2016). Gramática do Inglês para Brasileiros (2nd ed.). Editora Cultrix.

 

A grammar reference specifically aimed at Brazilian learners of English, discussing subject pronouns and other key aspects of English grammar, alongside their Portuguese equivalents.

 

Oxford University Press. (2020). Oxford English Grammar Course. Oxford University Press.

 

A course-based grammar book that includes exercises and explanations about the use of subject pronouns, suitable for learners of all levels.

 

Heasley, B., & Williams, E. (2014). Basic English Grammar (5th ed.). Pearson Education.

 

A foundational grammar book that breaks down basic concepts in English grammar, including subject pronouns, with simple explanations and practice exercises.