Object Pronoun Definition: An object pronoun, also called an objective pronoun, is a word that replaces a noun in a sentence. Specifically, this pronoun must function as an object (not a subject) in the sentence.
What is an Object Pronoun?
Definition of Object Pronoun: Object pronouns are used as grammatical objects in the sentence: the direct or indirect object of a verb or the object of a preposition.
An object pronoun receives the action instead of doing the action itself. They are contrasted with subject/subjective pronouns.
The primary purpose of object/objective pronouns in English is to avoid redundancy.
Example without Object Pronoun
- I am thankful for my parents. I appreciate my parents I am going to buy a gift for my parents.
In this example, “I” is the subject and “my parents” is the object of each sentence. The repetition of “my parents,” however, causes unnecessary wordiness and clumsiness in the paragraph.
After the first use, replacing “my parents” with the object pronoun, “them,” is appropriate.
Example with Object Pronoun
- I am thankful for my parents. I appreciate them I am going to by a present for them.
In this example, “my parents” is the object of the first sentence but is replaced with the object pronoun “them” in the following sentences.
Object Pronoun Examples
Here is a list of the most commonly used objective pronouns. Examples of object pronouns,
- me
- you
- him
- her
- it
- us
- you (plural)
- them
Example Object Pronouns in Sentences
- Jacob bought lunch for Jane. (“Jane” is a personal noun and the object of the sentence.)
Here, “Jacob” is the subject doing the action of the sentence and “Jane” is receiving the action. When “Jane” is replaced with an object/objective pronoun, the sentence reads:
- Jacob bought lunch for her.
“Her” is the object pronoun replacing the personal noun, “Jane.”
- We went to California with Mary and Mike. (“Mary and Mike” are personal nouns and the objects of the sentence.)
Here, “we” is the subject doing the action of the sentence and “Mary and Mike” receive the action. When “Mary and Mike” is replaced with an object pronoun, the sentence reads:
- We went to California with them.
“Them” is the object pronoun replacing the personal nouns, “Mary and Mike.”
- Buffett, 85 — who has not publicly named a successor for himself or Vice Chairman Charlie Minger, 92 — gave kudos to investing lieutenant Todd Combs for orchestrating the $32 billion purchase of aerospace manufacturing firm Precision Castparts Corp., which closed last month and will be reporting in next year’s letter. –New York Post
“Himself” is the object pronoun replacing “Buffet.” This avoids the following awkward construction,
- Warren Buffett has not publicly named a successor for Warren Buffett.
What Are Object Pronouns Used For?
Object pronouns are used in English to avoid wordiness and awkward sentences. They make writing and speaking more clear and efficient. For example,
- I went to the beach with Mary and Mike. After the beach, I went to the movies with them.
- I went to the beach with Mary and Mike. After the beach, I went to the movies with Mary and Mike.
It is much better to say and write “them” instead of naming “Mary and Mike” individually every time you refer to them.
Pronouns may only be used when there is an antecedent. The audience must know to whom or what the pronoun refers before the noun can be replaced with a pronoun. So, in the case of our above example, be sure to mention “Mary and Mike” at least once by name; then you can go on using the pronoun “them.”
Summary
What is an objective pronoun? Object pronouns are used to receive the action of the sentence. They replace personal nouns that act as objects in a sentence, such as direct, indirect objects and objects of prepositions.
The beauty of object/objective pronouns is that they make writing and speaking English more concise and less awkward.
Remember:
- Use object pronouns after you have identified an antecedent, i.e., name your subject at least one.
- Object pronouns differ from subject pronouns because they do not complete the action of the sentence.
- You should be able to interchange the object pronoun and the original personal nouns and the sentence should still be grammatically correct.
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