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First Person
What Is First Person in Grammar? (with Examples)
The term "first person" refers to the speaker (i.e.," I," "me,") or a group that includes the speaker ("we," "us"). For example:- I am speaking to you about her. ("I" is the speaker, so "I" is in the first person. "You" is the person being spoken to, so "you" is in the second person. "Her" is in the third person.)
- We are thinking about promoting you instead of him. ("We" is a group that includes the speaker, so "we" is in the first person. "You" is the person being spoken to, so "you" is in the second person. "Him" is in the third person.)
Table of Contents
- "First Person" Explained
- First Person in Grammar
- Examples of First Person Pronouns in Different Cases
- First, Second, and Third Person Pronouns
- Why the First Person Is Important
- Video Lesson
- Printable Test

"First Person" Explained
"First person" most commonly appears in the phrases "first-person narrative," "first-person point of view," and "first-person shooter."- First Person Narrative. A first-person narrative is one that uses the word "I" (and sometimes "we"). In other words, the storyteller gives a personal account.
- First Person Point of View. The first-person point of view is a view through the storyteller's eyes.
- First Person Shooter. First-person-shooter games are a genre of shooting games in which players see the world through the eyes of their on-screen character.
First Person in Grammar
"First person" is another way of saying "I" or "we." In other words, it is the person or the group speaking. For example:- I am speaking to the elves.
- We are building a bridge.
- First person: "I" and "we"
- Second person: "you"
- Third person: "he/she/it" and "they"

Examples of First Person Pronouns in Different Cases
Here are the first person pronouns in the subjective case, the objective case, and the possessive case:Person | Subjective Case | Objective Case | Possessive Case Possessive Determiner | Possessive Case Possessive Pronouns |
---|---|---|---|---|
First Person Singular |
I Example: I like cheese. |
me Example: He likes me. |
my Example: This is my car. |
mine This is mine. |
First Person Plural |
we Example: We hate celery. |
us Example: They hate us. |
our Example: This is our house. |
ours Example: This is ours. |
First, Second, and Third Person Pronouns
The table below shows the first, second, and third person pronouns. The first person pronouns are shaded.Person | Subjective Case | Objective Case | Possessive Case Possessive Determiner | Possessive Case Possessive Pronouns |
---|---|---|---|---|
First Person Singular | I | me | my | mine |
Second Person Singular | you | you | your | yours |
Third Person Singular | he/she/it | him/her/it | his/her/its | his/hers/its |
First Person Plural | we | us | our | ours |
Second Person Plural | you | you | your | yours |
Third Person Plural | they | them | their | theirs |
(Reason 1) In business writing, the first person adds a personal touch.
In business, writing in the first person (i.e., using "I" and "we") portrays a personal touch and shows that you accept responsibility. For example:- We will handle your claim within 24 hours.
- I will send you the results this afternoon.
- Marks Ltd will handle your claim within 24 hours.
- They will send you the results this afternoon. (Writing in the third person is also useful for putting some distance between you and the message recipient, which could be useful for swerving blame.)
(Reason 2) Your readers will connect quickly to a story told in the first person.
Writing in the first person will help your readers to engage not only with the main character but also with those the main character meets. Below are four good reasons to tell stories in the first person.A first-person narrative:
- Helps your readers to establish an immediate connection with the character because the character's thoughts and emotions are not expressed through a third party (i.e., someone else).
- Makes the story more believable because readers feel that they are being told the story by the person who experienced it.
- Allows your readers to quickly establish the nature of the relationships with other characters in the story as they described more directly than through a third party.
- Allows the author to get inside the character's head, which helps with developing and describing ideas and emotions.
(Reason 3) "Between you and I" is ALWAYS wrong!
Many people say "between you and I." This is always wrong.- Let's keep this matter between you and I.
- Between you and I, I think it's a shambles.

This is the most common mistake involving the first-person pronoun "I." Here are links to two other issues related to first-person pronouns: Read about "you and I," "you and me," and terms like "my wife and I."
Read about incorrectly using "myself."
- In business, write in the first person for a personal touch.
- When writing fiction, write in the first person to engage your audience quickly.
- Don't say or write "between you and I"...ever.
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