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Pronouns

Page history last edited by Wendy Rooney 4 years ago

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Pronoun - a pronoun is a word that takes the place of one or more nouns 

 

 

Pronoun Lists

 

 

 

 

 

pronoun is a word that is used instead of a noun

For example, you could say, "Bob is a good driver." 

Then you could replace the noun "Bob" with the word "He" and get the following sentence: 
"He is a good driver." 

"He" is a pronoun.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSwTlQNLqPA - Pronouns

 

https://www.education.com/game/sentence-builder-pronouns/  - Pronouns

 

https://gotkidsgames.com/hom/PronounAgreeEasyAdpt.html - Pronoun Agreement Game

 

 

 

 

 

Personal Pronouns

 

Personal pronouns represent people or things. 

The personal pronouns are: I, you, he, she, it, we, they, me, him, her, us, them.

Vote for me!

 

Subjective pronouns

Subjective pronouns are pronouns that are used as the subject of a sentence. For example, "He plays the guitar."

The subjective pronouns are: I, you, he, she, it, we, they, what, who.

Example sentences:

  • We are going home.
  • Who is working late?
  • What's happening?

 

Objective pronouns

Objective pronouns are used as an object in a sentence.

For example, "Donna told him the truth."

The objective pronouns are: me, him, her, it, us, you, them, whom.

Example sentences:

  • I am doing this for you.
  • Jack was there before us.
  • Whom did you meet last night?

See also: You and I vs You and Me (Subjective and Objective Pronouns)

 

 

Possessive Pronouns

"Possessive" means "showing ownership."

Possessive pronouns indicate that something belongs to somebody/something. 

The possessive pronouns are: mine, yours, his, hers, ours, theirs.

This cat is mine.

 

Example sentences:

  • The prize will be his.
  • This place is theirs.
  • Is that cat yours?
  • They are friends of mine.
  • Your roof is stronger than ours.
  • My car is slow. Hers is much faster.

 

 

Demonstrative Pronouns

"Demonstrative" means "showing, making something clear."

Demonstrative pronouns point to things. 

The demonstrative pronouns are: this, that, these, those.

  • Use "this" and "these" to talk about things that are near in space or in time.

  • Use "that" and "those" to talk about things that are farther away in space or time.

This is the report I want.

 

 

That is a big ship.

Example sentence:

  • This cannot go on.
  • That was beautiful!
  • He wanted those, but decided to compromise on these.

Click here to read more about Demonstrative Pronouns.

 

Interrogative Pronouns

"Interrogative" means "used in questions."

Interrogative pronouns are used to ask questions. 

The interrogative pronouns are: who, whom, which, what, whose, whoever, whatever, whichever, whomever.

  • Use "who" and "whom" to talk about people.

  • Use "which" and "what" to talk about animals and things.

Who?

Who?

 

What?

What?

Example sentences:

  • Who is your father?
  • Whom did you speak to?
  • Which bag did you buy?
  • What are my options?

Click here to learn more on Interrogative Pronouns.

 

Relative Pronouns

 

relative pronoun is a type of pronoun that often introduces dependent (or relative) clauses in sentences. They also can stand alone as the subject or object of a sentence. There is a specific list ofrelative pronouns, and here they are: who, whoever, whom, whomever, that, which, when, where, and whose.

 

"Relative" means "connected with something."


Relative pronouns are pronouns that link different parts of a sentence. 

The relative pronouns are: who, whom, whose, which, that, what, whatever, whoever, whomever, whichever.

The cake that I got!

The cake that I got

Examples sentences:

  • The girl who called yesterday came to see you.
  • The teacher whom you wrote has answered your questions.
  • My husband, whose friends you've just met, has a birthday party.
  • She lives in Kiev, which is the capital city of Ukraine.
  • I really liked the book that you gave me.
  • The winner, who was very excited, received her prize.
  • We can't tell you what you should do.
  • She will be happy with whatever you give her.
  • Whoever thinks that is wrong.
  • You can date whomever you like. 
  • Whichever dress you pick, you will look great.

Click here to learn more on Relative Pronouns.

 

Reflexive Pronouns

"Reflexive" means "going back to itself."

Reflexive pronouns show that the action affects the person who performs the action. Reflexive pronouns end in "-self" (singular) or "-selves" (plural). 

The reflexive pronouns are: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, themselves.

She hugs herself.

She hugs herself

   
Example sentences:

  • He cut himself while shaving.
  • I sent myself to bed.
  • He could hurt himself!
  • We must help ourselves.
  • She trusts herself.

Click here to learn more about Reflexive Pronouns.

 

Intensive Pronouns

"Intensive" means "giving force or emphasis."

An intensive pronoun is a pronoun used for emphasis. In other words, intensive pronouns emphasize the subject of the sentence. They are written exactly the same way as the reflexive pronouns, but their function is different.

I made it myself.

I made it myself


Example sentences:

  • myself baked the cake.
  • The queen herself recommended this restaurant.
  • Have you yourself been there?
  • The project itself wasn't difficult.
  • We will do it ourselves.
  •  

 

Reciprocal Pronouns

"Reciprocal" means that two people or groups do the same thing to each other. They treat each other in the same way.

For example, Joe loves Kate, and Kate loves Joe. So we can say, "Kate and Joe love each other."

Another example is, "Mike helps Lucy, and Lucy helps Mike." So we can say, "Mike and Lucy help each other."

There are two reciprocal pronouns in English:
Each other and one another.

They hug each other.

They hug each other.

 

Example sentences:

  • The cat and the dog like each other.
  • The two politicians hate each other.
  • We must stop fighting one another.
  • They gave each other Christmas presents.
  • They can't hear one another.
  • In the movie, the good guys and bad guys fight against each other.
  • Thomas and his brother finally forgave each other.
  •  

 

Indefinite Pronouns  

"Indefinite" means "not exact, not limited."

Indefinite pronouns are pronouns that do not refer to any specific person or thing.

Examples:
Anything, everybody, another, each, few, many, none, some, all, any, anybody, anyone, everyone, everything, no one, nobody, nothing, none, other, others, several, somebody, someone, something, most, enough, little, more, both, either, neither, one, much, such.


Every girl is dancing.
Every girl is dancing

Example sentences (note how each pronoun stands in the place of a possible noun):

  • Do you remember anything?
  • Everybody wanted to go home.
  • That sandwich was delicious. Can I have another?
  • When the kids come back, let's give each a small gift.
  • Few are aware of this.
  • Many have died during the war.
  • She is loved by many.
  • He got all the pens, and I got none.
  • Some may wish to thank you.
  • All of us are here, so we can start.
  • I can't find any of my socks.
  • Has anybody seen Janet?
  • You can ask anyone about this.
  • Can anyone call her?
  • Everyone likes to rest.
  • We bought everything we needed.
  • No one can look her in the eye.
  • Nobody knew what to do.
  • There is nothing more to say.
  • None of my friends wanted to go home.
  • We live on this side of the river, and they live on the other.
  • Some people have more luck than others.
  • I've read several of his books.
  • Somebody is going to put an end to this.
  • Can someone help me?
  • Something can be done to help.
  • There is something strange about this guy.
  • Most will choose to ignore him.
  • Do you need more water? No, I have enough.
  • Little was done regarding this important matter.
  • Are you looking for cups? There are more over here.
  • More of us are starting to see what's going on.
  • Both of you are right.
  • I have an apple and a pear – you can have either.
  • They had a red car and a white car. Neither was very nice.
  • I'm getting myself a bowl of rice. Would you like one, too? 
  • "So what's new?" "Not much."
  • Unfortunately, he was poor and they treated him as such.

Click here to read more about Indefinite Pronouns.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GSwSTIAy98 - Indefinite Pronouns

 

 

 

 

Pronoun/Antecedent Agreement

An antecedent is a word (or a group of words) which a pronoun refers back to.

Examples:
(the antecedent is red and the pronoun is green)

  • Beth will buy some water and drink it.
    Water is the antecedent of "it."
    "It" is a pronoun and it refers back to "water."

  • Dianaleft her book at school.
    Diana is the antecedent of "her."
    "Her" is a pronoun and it refers back to "Diana."

  • Kevin and Laura are meeting their friends.
    The phrase Kevin and Laura is the antecedent of "their."
    "Their" is a pronoun and it refers back to "Kevin and Laura."


The word "antecedent" comes from the Latin: ante (before) + cedere (to go).

 

 

The Importance of Pronouns

Here we can see the great importance of pronouns. If we didn't have pronouns, these sentence would have to be written like this:

  • Beth will buy some water and drink the water.

  • Diana left Diana's book at school.

  • Kevin and Laura are meeting Kevin and Laura's friends.


The Importance of Antecedents

Read the following sentences and see if you can fully understand them:

  • They took it.
    (Who took it? What did he or she take?)

  • Ours is with them.
    (What is with them? Who is they?)

  • She bought hers.
    (Who is she? What did she buy?)

Do you see what happens?

If there are no antecedents it can be unclear what the speaker or writer is referring to. 

Important note:
In many cases the antecedent can be fully clear even without directly mentioning it. In other words, the antecedent can be understood from context.

 

For example, let's say Jessica and Molly have an annoying neighbor. They always complain about him. 

Jessica can say to Molly, "Do you know what he did this time?" 

It will be fully clear to Molly who Jessica is referring to. 

Pronoun/Antecedent Agreement

A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in three ways:

  • Person (First person: I/we, second person: you, third person: he/she/it/they)

    Correct: Bob did his homework.
    Incorrect: Bob did your homework.

  • Number (singular/plural)

    Correct: Bob did his homework.
    Incorrect: Bob did their homework.

  • Gender (masculine/feminine)

    Correct: Bob did his homework.
    Incorrect: Bob did her homework.


Important note:
In some cases such sentences can be correct. You simply have to use your common sense.

For example, let's say that Bob did Susan's homework, and I am now talking to Susan. 

In this case, I can definitely say, "Bob did your homework." 
(And I am referring to Susan's homework, not to Bob's homework. So in this case the antecedent is Susan, not Bob!)


Determining the correct pronoun to use is usually pretty straightforward.

Some cases, however, can seem more challenging.

So here are some more correct and incorrect examples:

Correct: Every boy will start his test.
Incorrect: Every boy will start their test.

Correct:
 The box of toys is in its place.
Incorrect: The box of toys is in their place.

Correct: Both lost their jobs.
Incorrect: Both lost his jobs.

Correct: Alice and Kate talked with their father.
Incorrect: Alice and Kate talked with her father.

Correct: The United States opened its borders.
Incorrect: The United States opened their borders.

 

Pronoun exercise

Pronoun exercise

Illustrated Worksheet on English Pronouns

 

 

Types of pronouns

Personal Pronouns

Demonstrative Pronouns

Interrogative Pronouns

Possessive Pronouns

Relative Pronouns

Reflexive Pronouns

Intensive Pronouns

Reciprocal Pronouns

Indefinite Pronouns

Pronouns vs. determiners

Pronoun/Antecedent Agreement

Pronoun exercise

 

http://www.really-learn-english.com/english-pronouns.html#01 - Pronoun Info

 

 

 

http://www.really-learn-english.com/list-of-pronouns.html - Pronoun Lists & Examples

 

http://www.english-grammar-revolution.com/list-of-pronouns.html - Pronouns

 

https://www.turtlediary.com/games/pronoun.html - Pronoun Practice

 

https://sites.google.com/site/easygrammar4kids/pronouns - Pronoun Games

 

http://gotkidsgames.com/hom/easyPronounGame.html - Pronoun Car Rally

 

http://www.softschools.com/language_arts/grammar/pronoun/balloon_game/ - Balloon Pronoun Game

 

 

 

http://www.grammarbook.com/grammar_quiz/pronouns_1.asp - Pronoun Quiz 1

 

http://www.grammaruntied.com/blog/?p=1922 - Pronouns (Advanced Practice)

 

 


Subject and Object Pronouns

 

https://matchthememory.com/Pronounsone?card_count=5 - Subject/Object Pronouns - Match the Memory

 
 


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