• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Home of English Grammar
  • Home
  • Course
  • Exercises
  • Grammar Rules
  • Matches
  • Posts
  • Tools
    • Grammar Checker
    • Very Replacer
    • Word Counter
  • Vocabulary Lists
  • Archives
    • Social Media Posts
    • Writing Guides
  • Join free

Duplicate subjects

December 25, 2013 pdf

Duplicate subject is a common mistake made by ESL students. They sometimes use a pronoun as a duplicate subject in a clause that already has a noun as a subject.

Remember that each clause can have only one subject. If you have already mentioned the subject by name, it is wrong to use a pronoun to refer to the same person.

My sister is a nurse. OR She is a nurse. (BUT NOT My sister she is a nurse.)

Another common mistake is to use two subjects in a relative clause. Note that the relative pronoun serves two purposes. It connects two clauses like a conjunction. It also serves as the subject or object of the verb in the relative clauses. As a result, it is wrong to use another noun or pronoun as the subject or object of the verb in the relative clause.

Study the examples given below.

My sister is a nurse. She lives in California.

My sister, who is a nurse, lives in California. OR My sister, who lives in California, is a nurse. (BUT NOT My sister, who she lives in California, is a nurse.)

Here the relative pronoun who stands for the pronoun she and hence it is wrong to repeat the pronoun in the relative clause.

Another example is given below.

Maya does my hair. She has moved to another hairdresser’s.

Maya, who does my hair, has moved to another hairdresser’s. (BUT NOT Maya, who she does my hair, has moved to another hairdresser’s.)

Primary Sidebar

2.4M761.4K165.8K

Free 2027 Grammar Guide

  • Download Grammar Guide (PDF)
  • Online grammar course, A1 to C2
  • Weekly exercises and vocabulary
  • Join over 3 million English learners

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.

Already have an account? Sign in

Grammar Checker - Try Now

Latest Posts

  • 100 Best Synonyms for “Conversational” October 26, 2026
  • 100 Questions to Ask Before Joining a Gym October 26, 2026
  • 100 Best Synonyms for “Superficial” October 26, 2026
  • 100 Best Synonyms for “Quit” October 26, 2026
  • 100 Best Synonyms for “Extraordinary” October 26, 2026
  • There Was and There Were Exercise October 26, 2026
  • Mixed Classroom Language Exercise October 26, 2026
  • Word Families Review Exercise October 26, 2026
  • The origin and meaning of “on a shoestring” October 26, 2026
  • 100 Best Synonyms for “Succeed” October 26, 2026
Home of English Grammar

Free English grammar exercises, rules and vocabulary lists, with new exercises every week. Join the leading English grammar site with over 3 million followers.

Join free

Learn

  • Exercises
  • Matches
  • Grammar rules
  • Vocabulary lists
  • Writing guides
  • Online tools

More

  • Top social media posts
  • Various posts
  • Contact

Account

  • Join free
  • Grammar Course
  • Free grammar guide (PDF)

Copyright © 2026 EnglishGrammar.org

  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms
  • Sitemap