Pronouns

Pronouns can substitute nouns or other pronouns. Pronouns like "she," "whom," "none," and "they" make sentences less repetitive.

Pronouns can be grouped into several types, including the personal pronoun, the demonstrative pronoun, the interrogative pronoun, the indefinite pronoun, the relative pronoun, the reflexive pronoun, and the intensive pronoun.

Personal Pronoun

• Subjective Personal Pronoun

In the following examples, each of the highlighted words is a subjective personal pronoun and functions as the subject of the sentence:

I was happy to know that she had won the first prize in the competition.

You are definitely the most outgoing person I have ever known.

He bought some bait and went fishing. 

When she was in London, she met the Queen.

After several hours, they finally found the missing child.

We will go to the post office later in the afternoon.

It is in the refrigerator.

Are you the teacher from Cambridge?

• Objective Personal Pronoun

An objective personal pronoun functions as an object of a verb, compound verb, preposition, or infinitive phrase. The objective personal pronouns include: "me," "you," "her," "him," "it," "us," "you," and "them."

In the following examples, each of the highlighted words is an objective personal pronoun:

The principal called Taylor and told him to see her.

The objective personal pronoun "him" is the direct object of the verb "told" and the objective personal pronoun "her" is the object of the preposition "with."

After receiving her result slip, Sandra showed it to her mother.

The pronoun "it" is the direct object of the verb "showed."

"Mr. Tomlinson will see you in five minutes."

In this sentence, the pronoun "you" is the direct object of the verb "see."

Lucas will meet us at the library.

Here the objective personal pronoun "us" is the direct object of the compound verb "will meet."

Pass the book to me.

Here the objective personal pronoun "me" is the object of the preposition "to."

Jenny wants to talk to you.

Likewise in this example, the objective personal pronoun "you" is the object of the preposition "to."

Gerald was happy to see her at the airport.

Here the objective personal pronoun "her" is the object of the infinitive phrase "to see."

Possessive Pronoun

A possessive pronoun functions as a marker of possession and defines who owns a particular object or person. The possessive personal pronouns include "mine," "yours," "hers," "his," "its," "ours," and "theirs." Note that possessive personal pronouns are very similar to possessive adjectives like "my," "her," and "their."

In each of the following examples, the highlighted word is a possessive personal pronoun:

That bar of chocolate is mine.

Here the possessive pronoun "mine" functions as a subject complement.

Those chocolates are yours.

Here too the possessive pronoun "yours" functions as a subject complement.

Hers are on the table.

In this example, the possessive pronoun "hers" acts as the subject of the sentence.

Theirs will be distributed tonight.

In this sentence, the possessive pronoun "theirs" is the subject of the sentence.

Ours are still in the refrigerator .

Here too the possessive pronoun "ours" function as the subject of the sentence.

Demonstrative Pronoun

A demonstrative pronoun points to and identifies a noun or a pronoun. "This" and "these" refer to things that are nearby either in space or in time, while "that" and "those" refer to things that are farther away in space or time.

The demonstrative pronouns are "this," "that," "these," and "those." "This" and "that" are used to refer to singular nouns or noun phrases and "these" and "those" are used to refer to plural nouns and noun phrases. Note that the demonstrative pronouns are identical to demonstrative adjectives, though, obviously, you use them differently. It is also important to note that "that" can also be used as a relative pronoun.

In the following sentences, each of the highlighted words is a demonstrative pronoun:

This must come to an end.

Here "this" is used as the subject of the compound verb "must come to an end."

This is ugly; that is prettier.

In this example "this" is used as subject and refers to something close to the speaker. The demonstrative pronoun "that" is also a subject but refers to something farther away from the speaker.

Mother chose these.

Here "these" is the direct object of the verb "chose."

Interrogative Pronoun

An interrogative pronoun is used to ask questions. The interrogative pronouns are "who," "whom," "which," "what" and the compounds formed with the suffix "ever" ("whoever," "whomever," "whichever," and "whatever"). Note that either "which" or "what" can also be used as an interrogative adjective, and that "who," "whom," or "which" can also be used as a relative pronoun.

You will find "who," "whom," and occasionally "which" used to refer to people, and "which" and "what" used to refer to things and to animals.

"Who" acts as the subject of a verb, while "whom" acts as the object of a verb, preposition, or a verbal.

The highlighted word in each of the following sentences is an interrogative pronoun:

Which is mine?

"Which" is the subject of the sentence.

Who is that tall man?

Similarly "who" is the subject of the sentence.

Whom do you think Daniel will marry?

In this sentence, "whom" is the object of the verb "marry."

To whom do you wish to speak?

Here the interrogative pronoun "whom " is the object of the preposition "to."

Who will buy the cake for the party tonight?

In this sentence, the interrogative pronoun "who" is the subject of the compound verb "will buy."

To whom did you write the letter?

In this example the interrogative pronoun "whom" is the object of the preposition "to."

What does Julia want?

Here the interrogative pronoun "what" is the direct object of the verb "want."

Relative Pronoun

You can use a relative pronoun is used to link one phrase or clause to another phrase or clause. The relative pronouns are "who," "whom," "that," and "which." The compounds "whoever," "whomever," and "whichever" are also relative pronouns.

You can use the relative pronouns "who" and "whoever" to refer to the subject of a clause or sentence, and "whom" and "whomever" to refer to the objects of a verb, a verbal or a preposition.

In each of the following sentences, the highlighted word is a relative pronoun.

You may take whomever you like to the prom.

The relative pronoun "whomever" is the direct object of the compound verb "may take."

The contestant who won the beauty pageant is from Canada.

In this sentence, the relative pronoun is the subject of the verb "won" and introduces the subordinate clause "who won the beauty pageant." This subordinate clause acts as an adjective modifying "contestant."

Taufiq asked a friend whom he trusts to be his best man at the wedding. 

In this sentence "whom" is the direct object of the verb "trusts" and introduces the subordinate clause "whom he trusts to be his best man at the wedding". This subordinate clause modifies the noun "friend."

Whoever wants the book will have to tell the class monitor.

Here "whoever" functions as the subject of the verb "wants."

The article which was written by Dr. Nooreen has been published in the newspapers.

In this example "which" acts as the subject of the compound verb "was written" and introduces the subordinate clause "which was written by Dr. Nooreen." The subordinate clause acts as an adjective modifying the noun "article."

Mrs. Willy will take whichever taxi arrives first.

Here "whichever" modifies the noun "taxi" and introduces the subordinate clause "whichever taxi arrives first." The subordinate clause functions as the direct object of the compound verb "will take."

Relative Pronoun

An indefinite pronoun is a pronoun referring to an identifiable but not specified person or thing. An indefinite pronoun conveys the idea of all, any, none, or some.

The most common indefinite pronouns are "all," "another," "any," "anybody," "anyone," "anything," "each," "everybody," "everyone," "everything," "few," "many," "nobody," "none," "one," "several," "some," "somebody," and "someone." Note that some indefinite pronouns can also be used as indefinite adjectives.

The highlighted words in the following sentences are indefinite pronouns:

Many were called to the principal's office but only two showed up.

Here "many" acts as the subject of the compound verb "were called."

Kit Siong's house had been broken into and everything was strewn all over the floor.

In this example, "everything" acts as a subject of the compound verb "was strewn."

 Abigail disposed everything that reminded her of Jake.

In this sentence, "everything" is the direct object of the verb "disposed."

Anis went to the library to look for journals but found none.

Here too the indefinite pronoun functions as a direct object: "none" is the direct object of "found."

Be sure to remind everyone that there is no lecture this afternoon.

In this example, "everyone" is the indirect object of the verb "remind" -- the direct object is the noun phrase "no lecture this afternoon."

Give a red packet to each.

Here "each" is the object of the preposition "to."

Reflexive Pronoun

You can use a reflexive pronoun to refer back to the subject of the clause or sentence.

The reflexive pronouns are "myself," "yourself," "herself," "himself," "itself," "ourselves," "yourselves," and "themselves." Note each of these can also act as an intensive pronoun.

Each of the highlighted words in the following sentences is a reflexive pronoun:

Athletes train themselves several hours a day.

Peter does the dishes himself so that his mom can relax.

After the tournament, I pampered myself to a full body massage.

Janice usually cooks dinner for herself.

Although Ravi promised to send us to the train station, we ended up going there ourselves.

Intensive Pronoun

An intensive pronoun is a pronoun used to emphasize its antecedent. Intensive pronouns are identical in form to reflexive pronouns.

The highlighted words in the following sentences are intensive pronouns:

           I myself deny the fact that Kevin is a dishonest boy.

          Kamariah herself said that she would go on a diet.

          They themselves agreed to attend the wedding reception even though it was very far.

Try It Out!

Test your understanding by trying the exercises below

1. The school plans to cut __________ budget for recreation.
2. When I meet new people, I'm usually curious about __________ occupation.
3. Neither Lucy nor __________ am responsible for the mess.
4. It is always best for students to ask questions when __________ encounter problems.
5. William and Katherine love __________ dog.
6. The man who lives across the street from us is very proud of __________ two sons.
7. I've tried so hard to get along with the girls but I just don't see eye to eye with __________.
8. My friend and I went for a holiday in Langkawi and really enjoyed __________.
9. It is __________ duty to clean my room everyday.
10. Sir Edwin does not like his students to approach him with a question until they have first tried to figure out the answer on __________ own.

Answers: 1. its  2. their  3. I  4. they  5. their  6. his  7. them  8. ourselves  9. my  10. their

Fun Time!

Pronoun Substitution

Materials: Various objects (balls, blocks, books, games), pictures of proper nouns (famous people, places and things), sentence strips, writing instruments (pens, pencils, markers, crayons), and chart paper or notebook paper. 

Instructions:

1. Place objects and pictures around the room where students can easily see them. 
2. Number each object/picture and have a sentence strip for each object/picture that either describes or begins a story about the object/picture. For example, with a soccer ball, you might write on the sentence strip: "Michael likes to kick the soccer ball."
3. Have students rewrite the sentence using the appropriate pronouns. For example, "He likes to kick it."
4. After all the students have a chance to write several sentences/paragraphs using appropriate pronouns, allow some time for them to share and identify aloud the pronouns they have on their papers.

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