Is It An Object Pronoun: 7 Facts You Should Know

In this article, we will try to get answer of the question ‘Is it an object pronoun?’.

The term ‘it’ as an object pronoun replaces the object of the sentence but the object must not be a human being.

Can “it” be a pronoun?

Yes, the word ‘it’ can be termed as a ‘Pronoun’ in English language. Purpose of pronoun is to stop repetitive use of subject or object in same sentence or in same paragraph to avoid monotony. The word ‘it’ serves the same purpose as a ‘Pronoun’. The pronoun ‘it’ replaces subject or the object of the sentence to avoid repetition but we must keep in mind that the pronoun ‘it’ can not be placed in place of a living human being.

Example – The novel ‘Great Expectation’ is on the right drawer of my study table. Mother, please give it to me.

Explanation –

Here, we can see two sentences. In the first sentence, the subject is the novel ‘Great Expectation’. In the second example, we can see that the subject ‘Great Expectation’ has been replaced by the word ‘it’. Thus, we can refer the word ‘it’ as a pronoun as it serves all the purposes which an ideal pronoun serves while replacing the subject.

When “it” is an object pronoun?

The pronoun ‘it’ becomes an object pronoun in below listed situations.

Situation 1 – The word ‘it’ becomes an ‘Object Pronoun’ if it replaces the object of the sentence while the object of the sentence is a non-living thing.

Situation 2 – The word ‘it’ becomes an ‘Object Pronoun’ if it replaces the object of the sentence while the object of the sentence is ‘an object’.

Situation 3 – The word ‘it’ becomes an ‘Object Pronoun’ if it replaces the object of the sentence while the object of the sentence is ‘an animal’.

Situation 4 – The word ‘it’ becomes an ‘Object Pronoun’ if it replaces the object of the sentence while the object of the sentence is ‘a plant’.

Situation 5 – The word ‘it’ becomes an ‘Object Pronoun’ if it replaces the object of the sentence while the object of the sentence is ‘a situation’.

Situation 6 – The word ‘it’ becomes an ‘Object Pronoun’ if it replaces the object of the sentence while the object of the sentence is a particular topic.

Situation 7 – The word ‘it’ becomes an ‘Object Pronoun’ if it replaces the object of the sentence while the object of the sentence is a particular conversation.

In short, the object pronoun ‘it’ can replace an object with only one rule that the object of the sentence must not be a living human being.

Example – We had a discussion with our new boss in the last meeting. It was hard to accept.

Explanation –

Here, we can see two sentences. In the first sentence, the object is ‘a discussion’. In the second example, we can see that the object ‘a discussion’ has been replaced by the object pronoun ‘it’. Thus, we can refer the pronoun ‘it’ as an object pronoun as it serves all the purposes which an ideal object pronoun serves while replacing the object.

Where “it” is an object pronoun?

Object pronouns are sometime referred as ‘Objective Pronouns’. The word ‘it’ has multiple uses in modern English grammar. The pronoun ‘it’ can be used to replace any of the following objects of a sentence.

1. To replace a non-living thing
2. To replace an object
3. To replace an animal
4. To replace any plant
5. To refer any situation
6. To refer any event
7. To refer a particular time
8. To refer any weather
9. To mention any particular distance
10. To replace the word ‘anything’
11. To replace the word ‘everything’
12. To replace the word ‘nothing’
13. To replace the word ‘something’ etc.

Example – I have something to give you as your wedding gift. Can you guess it?

Explanation –

Here, the pronoun ‘it’ can be termed as ‘object pronoun’ because it replaced the word ‘something’.

How “it” is an object pronoun?

‘It’ can be termed as object pronoun or objective pronoun because there is only word which can replace all types of subject except living human being in English grammar usage. The pronoun ‘it’ becomes an object pronoun by replacing any of the following subject, like; a non-living thing, an object, a plant, the word ‘anything’, the word ‘something’, the word ‘everything’, the word ‘nothing’, a particular situation, a particular event, any event, a particular time etc.

Example – Sandip likes to read novels in rainy season. Do you also like it?

Explanation –

Here, the pronoun ‘it’ can be termed as an ‘Object Pronoun’ because it is in use to replace the ‘rainy season’ which is the object of the sentence.

Examples of “it” as an object pronoun?

Example 1 – Pijush likes to use new pens. Does his brother also like it in same way?

Example 2 – I like to have some snacks in this winter season. Should I serve some of it for you?

Example 3 – Rita is not going to the college festival. She doesn’t find fun in it.

Example 4 – I heard that Mina gave you a promise. You can rely on it as she always speaks truth.

Example 5 – Sandip likes to get some new books for his research as he is very passionate about it.

Explanation 1 – The pronoun ‘it’ can be referred as ‘Object Pronoun’ because it replaced the non-living object ‘the pens’ in the first example.

Explanation 2 – The pronoun ‘it’ can be referred as ‘Object Pronoun’ because it replaced the food ‘snacks’ in the second example.

Explanation 3 – The pronoun ‘it’ can be referred as ‘Object Pronoun’ because it replaced an event ‘college festival’ in the third example.

Explanation 4 – The pronoun ‘it’ can be referred as ‘Object Pronoun’ because it replaced a word ‘promise’ in the fourth example.

Explanation 5 – The pronoun ‘it’ can be referred as ‘Object Pronoun’ because it replaced the activity ‘research’ in the fifth example.

Can “it” be a subject pronoun?

Yes, the pronoun ‘it’ can be used as a subject pronoun.

The pronoun ‘it’ becomes subject pronoun when ‘it’ is in use in a sentence as subject of the sentence.

The pronoun ‘it’ become subject pronoun in places where the subject of the sentence is a non-living object, plant, weather, time, event etc.

The pronoun ‘it’ become subject pronoun by replacing the subject of the sentence.

Example – It is not the dress which I am looking for.

Explanation – Here, the pronoun ‘it’ is in use as ‘subject pronoun’ because the word ‘it’ is in use in place of the subject, ‘a dress’.

Can “it” be a personal pronoun?

Yes, the pronoun ‘it’ can be termed as ‘Personal Pronoun’ in modern grammar usage. Though the pronoun ‘it’ was not accepted as an authentic personal pronoun in traditional grammar but in modern day, the pronoun ‘it’ has been widely accepted and used as ‘Personal Pronoun’. We must keep in mind that we can use the pronoun ‘it’ as a personal pronoun on the basis of number of the subject and case of the noun it replaces.

Example –

Rita – May I know the name person with whom I am speaking.

Pijush – Hi! Its Pijush.

Explanation – Here, we can see use of it as a ‘Personal Pronoun’ in a conversation.

Conclusion –

The preposition ‘it’ can be used as both subjective pronoun and objective pronoun but on the basis of the situation in which the preposition ‘it’ has been used as a subject or to replace the object of the sentence.