Subject Pronouns Explained

Oct 13, 2025 by leolavanderia.com.br 101 views

He and She ... or They Went to the Store ... Subject Pronouns Explained

Subject pronouns are a fundamental part of the English language, used to refer to the subject of a sentence. They are essential in forming grammatically correct sentences and conveying meaning effectively. In this article, we will delve into the world of subject pronouns, focusing on the correct usage of "he," "she," and "they" in sentences.

The Basics of Subject Pronouns

Subject pronouns are used to replace the subject of a sentence, making it easier to communicate and reducing repetition. The three main subject pronouns are "he," "she," and "they." Each of these pronouns has its own unique characteristics and usage rules.

Using "He" and "She" in Sentences

When using "he" and "she" in sentences, it's essential to understand the context and the subject of the sentence. "He" is used to refer to a male subject, while "she" is used to refer to a female subject. For example:

He went to the store. (Here, "he" refers to a male subject.)
She went to the store. (Here, "she" refers to a female subject.)

However, when two subjects are mentioned together, the subject pronoun "they" is often used instead of "he" and "she." For instance:

Mary and Paul went to the store. (Here, "they" is used as the subject pronoun.)
Mary and John went to the store. (Here, "they" is used as the subject pronoun.)

Using "He" and "She" with Two Subjects

Now, let's revisit the original question: "She and he went to the store." Is this sentence equally correct as "They went to the store?" The answer is no. While "she" and "he" are both subject pronouns, using them together in a sentence is not grammatically correct.

In English, when two subjects are mentioned together, the subject pronoun "they" is used instead of "he" and "she." This is because "they" is a singular subject pronoun that can refer to multiple subjects. Using "he" and "she" together creates a plural subject, which is not grammatically correct.

Why "He" and "She" Can't Be Used Together

The reason "he" and "she" can't be used together is that they are both singular subject pronouns. When two subjects are mentioned together, the subject pronoun "they" is used to create a singular subject. Using "he" and "she" together creates a plural subject, which is not grammatically correct.

For example:

He and she went to the store. (This sentence is grammatically incorrect because "he" and "she" are both singular subject pronouns.)
They went to the store. (This sentence is grammatically correct because "they" is a singular subject pronoun that can refer to multiple subjects.)

Examples of Correct Usage

Here are some examples of correct usage of "he," "she," and "they" in sentences:

He went to the store. (Here, "he" is used as the subject pronoun.)
She went to the store. (Here, "she" is used as the subject pronoun.)
They went to the store. (Here, "they" is used as the subject pronoun.)
Mary and Paul went to the store. (Here, "they" is used as the subject pronoun.)
Mary and John went to the store. (Here, "they" is used as the subject pronoun.)

Conclusion

In conclusion, subject pronouns are an essential part of the English language, used to refer to the subject of a sentence. "He" and "she" are singular subject pronouns used to refer to male and female subjects, respectively. However, when two subjects are mentioned together, the subject pronoun "they" is used instead of "he" and "she." This is because "they" is a singular subject pronoun that can refer to multiple subjects.

Frequently Asked Questions About Subject Pronouns

Subject pronouns can be a challenging topic for many language learners. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about subject pronouns, including "he," "she," and "they."

Q: What is the difference between "he" and "she"?

A: "He" is used to refer to a male subject, while "she" is used to refer to a female subject. For example:

He went to the store. (Here, "he" refers to a male subject.)
She went to the store. (Here, "she" refers to a female subject.)

Q: Can I use "he" and "she" together in a sentence?

A: No, you cannot use "he" and "she" together in a sentence. When two subjects are mentioned together, the subject pronoun "they" is used instead of "he" and "she." For example:

He and she went to the store. (This sentence is grammatically incorrect because "he" and "she" are both singular subject pronouns.)
They went to the store. (This sentence is grammatically correct because "they" is a singular subject pronoun that can refer to multiple subjects.)

Q: What is the difference between "they" and "them"?

A: "They" is a singular subject pronoun used to refer to multiple subjects, while "them" is an object pronoun used to refer to multiple objects. For example:

They went to the store. (Here, "they" is used as the subject pronoun.)
Them went to the store. (This sentence is grammatically incorrect because "them" is an object pronoun.)

Q: Can I use "he" and "they" together in a sentence?

A: Yes, you can use "he" and "they" together in a sentence. For example:

He and they went to the store. (Here, "he" is used as the subject pronoun, and "they" is used as the subject pronoun.)

Q: What is the difference between "she" and "they"?

A: "She" is a singular subject pronoun used to refer to a female subject, while "they" is a singular subject pronoun used to refer to multiple subjects. For example:

She went to the store. (Here, "she" is used as the subject pronoun.)
They went to the store. (Here, "they" is used as the subject pronoun.)

Q: Can I use "she" and "they" together in a sentence?

A: No, you cannot use "she" and "they" together in a sentence. When two subjects are mentioned together, the subject pronoun "they" is used instead of "she" and "he." For example:

She and they went to the store. (This sentence is grammatically incorrect because "she" and "they" are both singular subject pronouns.)
They went to the store. (This sentence is grammatically correct because "they" is a singular subject pronoun that can refer to multiple subjects.)

Q: What is the best way to remember the difference between "he," "she," and "they"?

A: One way to remember the difference between "he," "she," and "they" is to think of "he" and "she" as singular subject pronouns used to refer to one person, and "they" as a singular subject pronoun used to refer to multiple people. For example:

He went to the store. (Here, "he" is used as the subject pronoun to refer to one person.)
She went to the store. (Here, "she" is used as the subject pronoun to refer to one person.)
They went to the store. (Here, "they" is used as the subject pronoun to refer to multiple people.)

Conclusion

In conclusion, subject pronouns can be a challenging topic for many language learners. However, by understanding the correct usage of "he," "she," and "they" in sentences, you can improve your grammar and communication skills. Remember, using "he" and "she" together is not grammatically correct, and "they" should be used instead.