Pronouns – I, You, He, She, It (A1 Beginner Grammar)

Pronouns I you he she it - English grammar basics

Pronouns help us avoid repetition. Instead of saying a noun again and again, we replace it with a short word — a pronoun. In this lesson you will learn basic pronouns like I, you, he, she, it and how to use them correctly.

🔹 What is a Pronoun?

A pronoun is a word that replaces a noun. Pronouns make sentences shorter and smoother.

I — used when the speaker talks about themselves. (I am happy.)
You — used to talk to one or more people. (You are kind.)
He — used for a male person or a male animal. (He is a teacher.)
She — used for a female person or a female animal. (She is a doctor.)
It — used for things, animals (when gender is not important), or ideas. (It is hot.)

🔸 Why use Pronouns?

Pronouns stop repetition and make speech natural:

Without pronoun: Riya likes Riya's phone.
With pronoun: Riya likes her phone.

Notice how the second sentence is clearer and shorter.

📘 Examples — Replacing Nouns with Pronouns

John is reading a book. → He is reading a book.
My sister plays piano. → She plays piano.
The cat is sleeping. → It is sleeping.
My friend and I are going to school. → We are going to school. (note: 'we' used)
You (talking to someone) can say: You are very helpful.

🧩 Quick Rules

Use I when you talk about yourself. (I am fine.)
Use you when you talk directly to someone. (You are welcome.)
Use he / she for people (use the correct gender where known).
Use it for things, animals (if gender is not needed) and weather. (It is raining.)
Remember to match the verb: He is, She has, I am.

✍️ Practice — Replace Nouns with Pronouns

Replace the bold noun with the correct pronoun:

Rita reads a book. → ________ reads a book.
The dog is running in the park. → ________ is running in the park.
My father cooks dinner every day. → ________ cooks dinner every day.
Tom and Jerry play together. → ________ play together.
You are learning English. → ________ are learning English. (this one is already a pronoun)

(Answers at the end of the post)

🧠 Quick Tip

If the noun is a person and you do not know gender, you can often use they (singular they) in modern English: Someone left their bag — They will come back.

🧩 QUIZ — Pronouns (10 Questions)

Choose or write the correct pronoun (Answers shown below each question for self-check).

Replace the noun: Ravi goes to school. → ________ goes to school.
✅ Answer: He
Which pronoun do you use to talk to one person?
a) I b) You c) He
✅ Answer: b) You
Replace the noun: The book is on the table. → ________ is on the table.
✅ Answer: It
Replace the noun: Sita and I are friends. → ________ are friends.
✅ Answer: We
Which pronoun for a female person?
a) He b) It c) She
✅ Answer: c) She
Replace the noun: My mother is a teacher. → ________ is a teacher.
✅ Answer: She
Which pronoun for yourself?
a) You b) I c) He
✅ Answer: b) I
Replace the noun: The cat drinks milk. → ________ drinks milk.
✅ Answer: It
Replace the noun: Arjun and Rahul play cricket. → ________ play cricket.
✅ Answer: They
Fill in the blank: ______ am learning English.
✅ Answer: I

💯 Score Guide: 9–10 = Excellent | 7–8 = Good | 5–6 = Practice more

🔁 Pronoun Replacement Box — Try These Swaps

Use these boxes to practice making new sentences quickly. Swap the bold noun with the pronoun shown.

👥 People → Pronouns

Rita → She
Tom → He
My friend and I → We
You and I → We

📚 Things & Animals → Pronouns

the phone → It
the book → It
the dog → It (or he/she if known)
the car → It

📝 Practice Frames

He is reading a book.
She likes music.
It is raining.
I am studying English.

✍️ Answers to Practice Section

She
It
He (or She depending on who is your father)
They
You

👉 Next Lesson:

Lesson 5: Verbs – Action Words You Use Daily →