Pronoun rules in English grammar are essential for competitive exams and clear writing. This article explains 10 important rules with examples, including the correct use of “It,” Objective vs Nominative case, and sequences of pronouns. Mastering these rules will help you avoid common mistakes and score better in exams.
Rule (1): Use of “Let” with Objective Case Pronouns / “Let” ਦੇ ਬਾਅਦ Objective Case Pronouns ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਯੋਗ
The verb “Let” is a transitive verb, so the pronoun used after it must be in the Objective Case. Using Subjective Case pronouns after “Let” is grammatically incorrect.
“Let” ਇੱਕ Transitive Verb ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ ਇਸਦੇ ਬਾਅਦ ਆਉਣ ਵਾਲੇ pronoun ਨੂੰ Objective Case ਵਿੱਚ ਹੀ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ। ਜੇ Subjective Case pronoun ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਵੇ ਤਾਂ sentence ਗਲਤ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।
Examples:
- Let him go. (Correct – “him” is Objective Case)/(ਸਹੀ – “him” Objective Case ਹੈ)
- Let he go. (Incorrect – “he” is Subjective Case)/(ਗਲਤ – “he” Subjective Case ਹੈ)
- Let you and me go. (Correct – both “you” and “me” are Objective Case)/(ਸਹੀ – “you” ਅਤੇ “me” Objective Case ਹਨ)
- Let you and I go. (Incorrect – “I” is Subjective Case, should be “me”)/(ਗਲਤ – “I” Subjective Case ਹੈ, “me” ਵਰਤਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ)
Rule: Always use Objective Case pronouns (me, him, her, us, them, you) after “Let.”
“Let” ਦੇ ਬਾਅਦ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ Objective Case pronouns (me, him, her, us, them, you) ਹੀ ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਣੇ ਚਾਹੀਦੇ ਹਨ।
Rule (2): Use of Pronouns after Prepositions / Preposition ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ Pronouns ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਯੋਗ
After a preposition, the pronoun must always be in the Objective Case, not in the Nominative Case. This is because prepositions govern objects, and the pronoun following them functions as the object of the preposition.
ਕਿਸੇ ਵੀ preposition ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ pronoun ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ Objective Case ਵਿੱਚ ਹੀ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਨਾ ਕਿ Nominative Case ਵਿੱਚ। ਕਿਉਂਕਿ preposition object ਨੂੰ govern ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਆਉਣ ਵਾਲਾ pronoun ਉਸਦਾ object ਬਣਦਾ ਹੈ।
Examples:
- Mohan laughed at you and me. (Correct – “you” and “me” are Objective Case)/(ਸਹੀ – “you” ਅਤੇ “me” Objective Case ਹਨ)
- Mohan laughed at you and I. (Incorrect – “I” is Nominative Case, should be “me”)/(ਗਲਤ – “I” Nominative Case ਹੈ, “me” ਵਰਤਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ)
- Divide these mangoes between her and me. (Correct – “her” and “me” are Objective Case)/(ਸਹੀ – “her” ਅਤੇ “me” Objective Case ਹਨ)
- Divide these mangoes between she and I. (Incorrect – “she” and “I” are Nominative Case, should be “her” and “me”)/(ਗਲਤ – “she” ਅਤੇ “I” Nominative Case ਹਨ, “her” ਅਤੇ “me” ਵਰਤਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ)
Rule: Always use Objective Case pronouns (me, him, her, us, them, you) after prepositions.
Preposition ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ Objective Case pronouns (me, him, her, us, them, you) ਹੀ ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਣੇ ਚਾਹੀਦੇ ਹਨ।
Rule (3): Use of “Like” and “Unlike” with Pronouns / “Like” ਅਤੇ “Unlike” ਦੇ ਨਾਲ Pronouns ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਯੋਗ
The words “like” and “unlike” are generally used as verbs, but they can also function as prepositions.
“like” ਅਤੇ “unlike” ਆਮ ਤੌਰ ‘ਤੇ verbs ਵਜੋਂ ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਪਰ ਇਹ prepositions ਵਜੋਂ ਵੀ ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ।
When used as prepositions, the pronoun that follows must be in the Objective Case, not in the Nominative Case.
ਜਦੋਂ ਇਹ prepositions ਵਜੋਂ ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਤਾਂ ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਆਉਣ ਵਾਲਾ pronoun ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ Objective Case ਵਿੱਚ ਹੀ ਹੋਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ, ਨਾ ਕਿ Nominative Case ਵਿੱਚ।
Examples:
- You are like her. (Correct – “her” is Objective Case)/(ਸਹੀ – “her” Objective Case ਹੈ)
- You are like she. (Incorrect – “she” is Nominative Case, should be “her”)/(ਗਲਤ – “she” Nominative Case ਹੈ, “her” ਵਰਤਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ)
- My daughter looks like me. (Correct – “me” is Objective Case)/(ਸਹੀ – “me” Objective Case ਹੈ)
- My daughter looks like I. (Incorrect – “I” is Nominative Case, should be “me”)/(ਗਲਤ – “I” Nominative Case ਹੈ, “me” ਵਰਤਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ)
Rule: After like/unlike (when used as prepositions), always use Objective Case pronouns (me, him, her, us, them, you).
ਜਦੋਂ like/unlike prepositions ਵਜੋਂ ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਣ, ਤਾਂ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ Objective Case pronouns (me, him, her, us, them, you) ਹੀ ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਣੇ ਚਾਹੀਦੇ ਹਨ।
Rule (4): Use of “But” as a Preposition / Preposition ਵਜੋਂ “But” ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਯੋਗ
When “But” is used as a preposition, it means “except”. In this case, it is usually preceded by words like all, none, every, any, no, everything, everybody, nothing, nobody, nowhere, etc.
ਜਦੋਂ “But” ਨੂੰ preposition ਵਜੋਂ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਇਸਦਾ ਅਰਥ “except” (ਕੇ ਸਿਵਾ/ਅਲਾਵਾ) ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ। ਇਸ case ਵਿੱਚ ਇਸ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਆਮ ਤੌਰ ‘ਤੇ all, none, every, any, no, everything, everybody, nothing, nobody, nowhere ਵਰਗੇ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਆਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ।
- Before the verb, “But” can be followed by either a Nominative Case or an Objective Case pronoun.
Verb ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ, “But” ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ Nominative Case ਜਾਂ Objective Case pronoun ਆ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ (Nominative Case ਵਧੀਆ ਮੰਨਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ)। - After the verb, “But” must be followed by an Objective Case pronoun.
Verb ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ, “But” ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ Objective Case pronoun ਹੀ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।
Examples:
- Everyone but she knew the answer. (Preposition + Nominative Case before verb)/(Preposition + Nominative Case verb ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ)
- Everyone but her knew the answer. (Preposition + Objective Case before verb)/(Preposition + Objective Case verb ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ)
- Everyone was there but me. (Verb + Preposition + Objective Case)/(Verb + Preposition + Objective Case)
- Everyone was there but I. (Verb + Preposition + Nominative Case → Incorrect)/(Verb + Preposition + Nominative Case → ਗਲਤ)
Rule: Before the verb, both Nominative and Objective Case pronouns may be used (Nominative preferred). After the verb, only Objective Case pronouns are correct.
Verb ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ Nominative ਜਾਂ Objective Case pronoun ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ (Nominative Case ਵਧੀਆ ਹੈ)। Verb ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਸਿਰਫ Objective Case pronoun ਹੀ ਸਹੀ ਹੈ।
Rule (5): Use of Pronoun rules after Gerund / Gerund ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ Pronouns ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਯੋਗ
When a Gerund (Main Verb + ing) is used, the pronoun following it must be in the Objective Case, not in the Nominative Case.
ਜਦੋਂ sentence ਵਿੱਚ Gerund (Main Verb + ing) ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਇਸ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਆਉਣ ਵਾਲਾ pronoun ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ Objective Case ਵਿੱਚ ਹੋਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ, ਨਾ ਕਿ Nominative Case ਵਿੱਚ।
Examples:
- Talking him was not pleasant. (Gerund + Objective Case)/(Gerund + Objective Case)
- Talking he was not pleasant. (Gerund + Nominative Case → Incorrect)/(Gerund + Nominative Case → ਗਲਤ)
- Visiting us is delightful. (Gerund + Objective Case)/(Gerund + Objective Case)
- Visiting we is delightful. (Gerund + Nominative Case → Incorrect)/(Gerund + Nominative Case → ਗਲਤ)
Rule: Always use Objective Case pronouns (me, him, her, us, them, you) after a Gerund.
Gerund ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ Objective Case pronouns (me, him, her, us, them, you) ਹੀ ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਣੇ ਚਾਹੀਦੇ ਹਨ।
Rule (6): Use of Pronouns with Infinitive / Infinitive ਦੇ ਨਾਲ Pronouns ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਯੋਗ
With an Infinitive (to + V¹), the pronoun used before and after must be in the Objective Case.
Infinitive (to + V¹) ਦੇ ਨਾਲ, pronoun Infinitive ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਬਾਅਦ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ Objective Case ਵਿੱਚ ਹੀ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ।
Examples:
- I requested her to come here. (Objective Case before Infinitive)/(Infinitive ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ Objective Case)
- I requested she to come here. (Incorrect – “she” is Nominative Case)/(ਗਲਤ – “she” Nominative Case ਹੈ)
- Mohan hopes to meet me soon. (Infinitive + Objective Case)/(Infinitive + Objective Case)
- Mohan hopes to meet I soon. (Incorrect – “I” is Nominative Case)/(ਗਲਤ – “I” Nominative Case ਹੈ)
Rule: Always use Objective Case pronouns with Infinitives, both before and after.
Infinitive ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ Objective Case pronouns ਹੀ ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਣੇ ਚਾਹੀਦੇ ਹਨ, ਚਾਹੇ ਉਹ Infinitive ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਹੋਣ ਜਾਂ ਬਾਅਦ।
Rule (7): Use of Pronouns with “To be” Infinitive / “To be” Infinitive ਦੇ ਨਾਲ Pronouns ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਯੋਗ
When “to be” (to + be = to + M.V¹) is used as an infinitive, the pronouns used before and after must be in the Objective Case.
ਜਦੋਂ “to be” (to + be = to + M.V¹) ਨੂੰ infinitive ਵਜੋਂ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਇਸ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਬਾਅਦ ਆਉਣ ਵਾਲੇ pronouns ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ Objective Case ਵਿੱਚ ਹੀ ਹੋਣੇ ਚਾਹੀਦੇ ਹਨ।
Examples:
- You guessed him to be me. (Objective Case before and after “to be”)/(Objective Case before and after “to be”)
- You guessed he to be I. (Incorrect – “he” and “I” are Nominative Case, should be “him” and “me”)/(Incorrect – “he” and “I” are Nominative Case, should be “him” and “me”)
Rule: Always use Objective Case pronouns (me, him, her, us, them, you) with the “to be” infinitive, both before and after.
“to be” infinitive ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ Objective Case pronouns (me, him, her, us, them, you) ਹੀ ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਣੇ ਚਾਹੀਦੇ ਹਨ, ਚਾਹੇ ਉਹ ਇਸ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਹੋਣ ਜਾਂ ਬਾਅਦ।
Rule (8): Use of Pronouns after As/Than in Comparisons / As/Than ਨਾਲ ਤੁਲਨਾ ਵਿੱਚ Pronouns ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਯੋਗ
When a comparison is made between two nominatives (subjects), the pronoun after as/than must be in the Nominative Case. When the comparison is made between two objects, the pronoun after as/than must be in the Objective Case.
ਜਦੋਂ ਤੁਲਨਾ ਦੋ nominatives (subjects) ਵਿਚ ਕੀਤੀ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ as/than ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ pronoun Nominative Case ਵਿੱਚ ਹੋਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ। ਜਦੋਂ ਤੁਲਨਾ ਦੋ objects ਵਿਚ ਕੀਤੀ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ as/than ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ pronoun Objective Case ਵਿੱਚ ਹੋਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ।
Examples (Subjects compared):
- Mukesh is as fat as I. (Nominative Case – correct)/(Nominative Case – ਸਹੀ)
- Mukesh is as fat as me. (Objective Case – incorrect here)/(Objective Case – ਗਲਤ)
- I run faster than he. (Nominative Case – correct)/(Nominative Case – ਸਹੀ)
- I run faster than him. (Objective Case – incorrect here)/(Objective Case – ਗਲਤ)
In these sentences, the comparison is between two subjects (Mukesh vs I, I vs he). Hence, Nominative Case is required.
ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ sentences ਵਿੱਚ ਤੁਲਨਾ ਦੋ subjects ਵਿਚ ਹੈ (Mukesh vs I, I vs he)। ਇਸ ਲਈ Nominative Case ਵਰਤਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
Examples (Objects compared):
- I love you as much as him.
Meaning: I love you as much as I love him.
ਮੈਂ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਹੀ ਪਿਆਰ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਜਿੰਨਾ ਮੈਂ ਉਸਨੂੰ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ। - I love you as much as he.
Meaning: I love you as much as he loves you.
ਮੈਂ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਹੀ ਪਿਆਰ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਜਿੰਨਾ ਉਹ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ।
In the first example, the comparison is between two objects (you vs him).
ਪਹਿਲੇ example ਵਿੱਚ ਤੁਲਨਾ ਦੋ objects ਵਿਚ ਹੈ (you vs him)।
In the second example, the comparison is between two subjects (I vs he).
ਦੂਜੇ example ਵਿੱਚ ਤੁਲਨਾ ਦੋ subjects ਵਿਚ ਹੈ (I vs he)।
Both are correct, but the meaning changes depending on whether the pronoun is in Objective or Nominative Case.
Rule: Use Nominative Case pronouns when comparing subjects.
Subjects ਦੀ ਤੁਲਨਾ ਵਿੱਚ Nominative Case ਵਰਤੋ।
Use Objective Case pronouns when comparing objects.
Objects ਦੀ ਤੁਲਨਾ ਵਿੱਚ Objective Case ਵਰਤੋ।
Rule (9): Use of “It” for Animals, Inanimate Things, Countries, and Unknown‑Gender Children / “It” ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਯੋਗ ਜਾਨਵਰਾਂ, ਨਿਰਜੀਵ ਚੀਜ਼ਾਂ, ਦੇਸ਼ਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਅਣਜਾਣ ਲਿੰਗ ਵਾਲੇ ਬੱਚਿਆਂ ਲਈ
The pronoun “It” is used to refer to:
Pronoun “It” ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ:
- Animals (when gender is not specified)
ਜਾਨਵਰਾਂ ਲਈ (ਜਦੋਂ gender ਪਤਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ) - Inanimate objects (non‑living things)
ਨਿਰਜੀਵ ਚੀਜ਼ਾਂ ਲਈ - Countries
ਦੇਸ਼ਾਂ ਲਈ - Children/Babies (when the sex is unknown)
ਬੱਚੇ/ਬੇਬੀ ਲਈ (ਜਦੋਂ ਲਿੰਗ ਪਤਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ)
Examples:
- Where is your cat? It has drunk my milk. (Animal – cat)/(ਜਾਨਵਰ – ਬਿੱਲੀ)
- I have a chair. It is broken. (Inanimate object – chair)/(ਨਿਰਜੀਵ ਚੀਜ਼ – ਕੁਰਸੀ)
- India is a country. It is very big. (Country – India)/(ਦੇਸ਼ – ਭਾਰਤ)
Rule: Use “It” whenever the subject is non‑human, non‑personal, or when gender is not identified.
“It” ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਯੋਗ ਉਸ ਵੇਲੇ ਕਰੋ ਜਦੋਂ subject ਮਨੁੱਖੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ, ਨਿਰਜੀਵ ਹੈ ਜਾਂ gender ਪਤਾ ਨਹੀਂ।
Rule (10): Sequence of Pronouns (Persons) / Pronouns ਦੇ Sequence (Persons) ਦਾ ਨਿਯਮ
When pronouns of all three persons (1st, 2nd, 3rd) are used together, the sequence 2–3–1 must be followed.
ਜਦੋਂ ਤਿੰਨੋਂ persons ਦੇ pronouns (1st, 2nd, 3rd) ਇਕੱਠੇ ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਣ, ਤਾਂ sequence 2–3–1 follow ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।
- 2 = Second person (You)
- 3 = Third person (He, She, Mohan, etc.)
- 1 = First person (I)
Examples (Three persons together – good sense)/(ਤਿੰਨ pronouns ਇਕੱਠੇ – ਚੰਗੇ sense ਵਿੱਚ):
- You, he and I go there. (2–3–1 correct)
- You, I and he go there. (2–1–3 incorrect)
- He, you and I go there. (3–2–1 incorrect)
- I, you and he go there. (1–2–3 incorrect)
Examples (Two persons together – good sense)/(ਦੋ pronouns ਇਕੱਠੇ – ਚੰਗੇ sense ਵਿੱਚ):
- You and he went to school. (2–3 correct)
- He and you went to school. (3–2 incorrect)
- You and I study here. (2–1 correct)
- I and you study here. (1–2 incorrect)
- He and I read the Ramayana. (3–1 correct)
- I and he read the Ramayana. (1–3 incorrect)
Special Note (Bad sense – fault, crime, guilt):
When pronouns of all three persons are used together in a bad sense, the sequence 1–2–3 must be followed.
ਜਦੋਂ ਤਿੰਨ pronouns ਇਕੱਠੇ ਬੁਰੇ sense ਵਿੱਚ ਵਰਤੇ ਜਾਣ, ਤਾਂ sequence 1–2–3 follow ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।
- I, you and he are criminals. (1–2–3 correct)
- I, he and you are criminals. (1–3–2 incorrect)
- You, I and he are criminals. (2–1–3 incorrect)
- He, you and I are criminals. (3–2–1 incorrect)
Examples (Two persons together – bad sense):
- I and you are guilty. (1–2 correct)
- You and I are guilty. (2–1 incorrect)
- I and he are guilty. (1–3 correct)
- He and I are guilty. (3–1 incorrect)
- You and he are guilty. (2–3 correct)
- He and you are guilty. (3–2 incorrect)
Additional Notes:
- If a sentence/clause already has one subject, another subject pronoun (he, she, it, etc.) must not be added unnecessarily.
- My book has been stolen. (correct)
- My book it has been stolen. (Incorrect)
- The woman is tired needs rest. (correct)
- The woman she is tired needs rest. (Incorrect)
- If a sentence/clause already has one object, another object pronoun (him, her, it, etc.) must not be added unnecessarily.
- He has to give Binay some money. (correct)
- He has to give Binay him some money. (Incorrect)
- She will not lend the book to me. (correct)
- She will not lend the book it to me. (Incorrect)