Types of Pronouns
Pronouns are words that we use to replace nouns to avoid repetition. As we know the functions of nouns differ. They can be used as subjects; they can be used as objects; they can be used to show possession; they can be used to show emphasis; they can be used to show something else; consequently, we use pronouns in different ways as well.
Personal Pronouns
Personal pronouns generally take the place of people or things. When a noun is used as a subject in a sentence, we use the subjective case of personal pronouns. When a noun is used as an object, similarly we use the objective case of personal pronouns.
|
Subjective Pronoun |
Objective Pronoun |
|
He |
Him |
|
She |
Her |
|
It |
It |
|
They |
Them |
|
I |
Me |
|
We |
Us |
|
You |
You |
- Ali told Salo and Diya to study. He
also told them to do homework.
- Diya and Salo obeyed Ali. They
asked him if they could do homework first.
In the above sentences, both nouns and pronouns written in bold are used as subjects. The underlined words both nouns and pronouns are used as objects.
Demonstrative Pronouns
We use a demonstrative pronoun to show something openly based on
its position. A demonstrative pronoun expresses its position as near to the
speaker or far away from the speaker. It can be used literally or symbolically. The
antecedent of demonstrative pronouns may not be mentioned. Sometimes it can be
understood from the context. We have four demonstrative pronouns, such as this,
that, these, and those are demonstrative pronouns.
- That is my car.
- I like Ali’s car. That is so convenient.
- Those are red in color, so I don’t like them.
- I don’t like to buy these. These are not fashionable shirts.
We use ‘this’ when a noun is near to the speaker. We use
‘that’ when a noun is far away from the speaker. ‘These’ is used as a plural
form of ‘this’ and ‘those’ as a plural form of ‘that’.
- This is my car.
- These are my cars.
- We had a problem. I have told you about that.
- We had so many problems. Everyone knew those.
Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns are not used in place of a specific
person, place, or thing. They are used instead of unspecific nouns. When nouns
don’t need to be specified, using indefinite pronouns is the best option.
Some of the indefinite pronouns take singular verbs. They represent one or function
like collective nouns which agree with singular verbs. Some of them take plural
verbs. In addition, some indefinite pronouns take either singular verbs or
plural verbs, depending on the nouns they are replacing.
Singular Indefinite Pronouns are:
someone, somebody, something, no one, nobody, nothing,
everyone, everybody, everything, anybody, another, anyone, each, anything,
either, other, one, neither, little, less, enough, and much
- Someone has taken your bag.
- Nothing is better than exercise for your health.
- Everyone in class presented their project.
- Everything must be organized well at the party.
- Either option is better for you.
Plural Indefinite Pronouns are:
many, several, few, others, and both
- There are thirty students in the class. Many are absent today.
- The result of the mid-term examination was not good. Few have scored well.
- Tom and Jhon are punctual. Both don’t want to be absent.
These can be used in both cases: all, any, more, most, none, some
- All of the cake has been eaten.
- I took attendance in the class. All are present.
Relative Pronouns
We use a relative pronoun to introduce a relative clause. In
addition, relative pronouns are used to join two clauses. Relative pronouns
include who, whose, whom, which, and that.
The pronouns who, whose, and whom are used to replace persons.
We use ‘who’ when a noun is used as a subject; ‘whom’ as an object. ‘Whose’
shows possession.
‘Which’ is used for things. ‘That’ is optional. You can use it
for things as well as persons.
- These are the men. The men helped the poor people.
- These are the men who helped the poor people.
- These are the boys. Their characters are appreciated.
- These are the boys whose characters are appreciated.
- Sakina is the girl. I told Sakina about you.
- Sakina is the girl whom I told about you.
- Give me the book. I put the book on the table yesterday.
- Give me the book which I put on the table yesterday.
- We watched a program. The program was very funny.
- We watched a program that was very funny.
- I saw the boy. The boy was happy.
- I saw the boy that was happy.
Interrogative Pronouns
We use interrogative pronouns to produce questions. Interrogative pronouns are used instead of the nouns we are asking about. Interrogative pronouns are who, whose, whom, which, and what. Remember that we use who, whose, and whom for persons; what for things; and which for both persons and things.
- What is your name?
- Who is Tom to you?
- Today we have two cars at home. Whose are these?
- Whom did you call last night at 11:00 p.m.?
- Which was your favorite dish when you were a child?
Reflexive pronouns
We use a reflexive pronoun when a subject and object are the same. A reflexive pronoun redirects a sentence or a clause back to the subject,
which is also the object of that sentence. A reflexive pronoun is used
when the subject performs its action upon itself.
We add self/selves with the objective pronoun of the third person pronoun
and add self/selves with the possessive adjective of other pronouns.
|
Subjective Pronoun |
Possessive Adjective |
Objective Pronoun |
Reflexive Pronoun |
|
He |
His |
Him |
Himself |
|
She |
Her |
Her |
Herself |
|
It |
Its |
It |
Itself |
|
They |
Their |
Them |
Themselves |
|
I |
My |
Me |
Myself |
|
We |
Our |
Us |
Ourselves |
|
You |
Your |
You |
Yourselves |
Example:
- The computer restarts itself every night.
- We told ourselves that we were great personalities.
- She confused herself by asking confusing questions.
- She teaches by herself.
Intensive Pronouns
Intensive pronouns are just like reflexive pronouns ending in
self or selves. They are used to add emphasis/importance to a noun or
pronoun to which it is referring but do not act as the object in the sentence.
Example:
- I myself taught them Simple Past Tense.
- I myself teach them.
- You yourselves are responsible for this mess.
- We intend to do all the work ourselves.
- I will do that myself.
Possessive Pronouns
Possessive pronouns are used to show possession or ownership.
They replace the nouns of the possessive adjectives: my, our, your, her,
his, its, and their.
|
Subjective pronoun |
Possessive adjective |
Possessive pronoun |
|
He |
His |
His |
|
She |
Her |
Hers |
|
It |
Its |
Its |
|
They |
Their |
Theirs |
|
I |
My |
Mine |
|
We |
Our |
Ours |
|
You |
Your |
Yours |
Example:
- I saw this book with Ali. I think it is his.
- That car is ours.
- Is this yours?
Reciprocal Pronouns
Reciprocal pronouns are used to replace two, or more than two
nouns that have reciprocal relations. When each of the two or more nouns acts
in the same way towards the other or others, we use reciprocal pronouns.
- Students in the class helped each other.
- All students greeted one another.
Distributive Pronouns
Distributive pronoun points out a member of a group from the group separately. In other words, a distributive pronoun is used instead of a thing separated from the group. Each, either, neither, none, and any are distributive pronouns.
- Each of the boys wrote an application.
- She has two brothers, but neither helps her.
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