What is a pronoun?

Introduction

The topicality of this study is explaining in details a pronoun as a part of speech. A pronoun can replace a noun or another pronoun. Grammarians classify pronouns 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.

1. Personal Pronouns

A personal pronoun refers to a specific person or thing and changes its form to indicate person, number, gender, and case. There are three types of the personal pronouns: subjective personal pronouns, objective personal pronouns and possessive personal pronouns.

1.1. Subjective Personal Pronouns

A subjective personal pronoun indicates that the pronoun is acting as the subject of the sentence. The subjective personal pronouns are I, you, she, he, it, we, you, they.

I was glad to find the bus pass in the bottom of the green knapsack.

You are surely the strangest child I have ever met.

After many years, they returned to their homeland.

1.2. Objective Personal Pronouns

An objective personal pronoun indicates that the pronoun is acting as an object of a verb, compound verb, preposition, or infinitive phrase. The objective personal pronouns are me, you, her, him, it, us, you, and them.

After reading the pamphlet, Judy threw it into the garbage can.

The pronoun it is the direct object of the verb threw.

Deborah and Roberta will meet us at the newest café in the market.

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

Give the list to me.

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

1.3. Possessive Personal Pronouns

A possessive personal pronoun indicates that the pronoun is acting as a marker of possession and defines who owns a particular object or person. The possessive personal pronouns are mine, yours, hers, his, its, ours, and theirs.

The smallest gift is mine.

Here the possessive pronoun mine functions as a subject complement.

Theirs will be delivered tomorrow.

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

This is yours.

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

So, you see that personal pronouns refer to a specific person or thing and change its form to indicate person, number, gender, and case; they can be divided into subjective, objective and possessive personal pronouns.

2. Demonstrative Pronouns

A demonstrative pronoun points to and identifies a noun or a pronoun.

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. 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.

This is puny; that is the tree I want.

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.

Three customers wanted these.

Here these is the direct object of the verb wanted.

This must not continue.

Here this is used as the subject of the compound verb must not continue.

So, we can say that a demonstrative pronoun points to and identifies a noun or a pronoun and can be used as subject or the direct object in sentence.

3. Interrogative Pronouns

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).

Which wants to see the dentist first?

Which is the subject of the sentence.

What did she say?

Here the interrogative pronoun what is the direct object of the verb say.

Whom do you think we should invite?

In this sentence, whom is the object of the verb invite.

So, an interrogative pronoun is used to ask questions and can be the subject or object of the verb in sentence.

 

4. Relative Pronouns

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 may invite whomever you like to the party.

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

The candidate who wins the greatest popular vote is not always elected.

In this sentence, the relative pronoun who is the subject of the verb wins and introduces the subordinate clause who wins the greatest popular vote. This subordinate clause acts as an adjective modifying candidate.

Whoever broke the window will have to replace it.

Here whoever functions as the subject of the verb broke.

Thus, a relative pronoun is used to link one phrase or clause to another phrase or clause.

5. Indefinite Pronouns

An indefinite pronoun is a pronoun referring to an identifiable but not specified person or thing. 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.

Many were invited to the lunch but only twelve showed up.

Here many acts as the subject of the compound verb were invited.

Make sure you give everyone a copy of the amended bylaws.

In this example, everyone is the indirect object of the verb give – the direct object is the noun phrase a copy of the amended bylaws.

Give a registration package to each.

Here each is the object of the preposition to.

That is, an indefinite pronoun is a pronoun referring to an identifiable but not specified person or thing and can be the subject or object in sentence.

6. Reflexive Pronouns

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.

Diabetics give themselves insulin shots several times a day.

After the party, I asked myself why I had faxed invitations to everyone in my office building.

Although the landlord promised to paint the apartment, we ended up doing it ourselves.

Ergo, a reflexive pronoun can be used to refer back to the subject of the clause or sentence.

7. Intensive Pronouns

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

I myself believe that aliens should abduct my sister.

The Prime Minister himself said that he would lower taxes.

They themselves promised to come to the party even though they had a final exam at the same time.

Now then, intensive pronouns are used to stress their antecedents and identical in form to reflexive pronouns.

 

Conclusions

1. A pronoun can replace a noun or another pronoun.

2. All English pronouns can be divided into the personal, demonstrative, interrogative, indefinite, relative, reflexive and intensive pronouns.

3. A personal pronoun refers to a specific person or thing and changes its form to indicate person, number, gender, and case. Personal pronouns are divided into subjective, objective and possessive personal pronouns.

4. A subjective personal pronoun indicates that the pronoun is acting as the subject of the sentence.

5. An objective personal pronoun indicates that the pronoun is acting as an object of a verb, compound verb, preposition, or infinitive phrase.

6. A possessive personal pronoun indicates that the pronoun is acting as a marker of possession and defines who owns a particular object or person.

7. A demonstrative pronoun points to and identifies a noun or a pronoun.

8. An interrogative pronoun is used to ask questions.

9. A relative pronoun is used to link one phrase or clause to another phrase or clause.

10. An indefinite pronoun is a pronoun referring to an identifiable but not specified person or thing.

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

12. An intensive pronoun is a pronoun used to emphasise its antecedent.

 

What is a Pronoun?

A pronoun can replace a noun or another pronoun. We use pronouns like he, which, none, and you to make our sentences less cumbersome and less repetitive.

Grammarians classify pronouns 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 Pronouns

A personal pronoun refers to a specific person or thing and changes its form to indicate person, number, gender, and case.

Subjective Personal Pronouns

A subjective personal pronoun indicates that the pronoun is acting as the subject of the sentence. The subjective personal pronouns are I, you, she, he, it, we, you, they.

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

I was glad to find the bus pass in the bottom of the green knapsack.

You are surely the strangest child I have ever met.

He stole the selkie's skin and forced her to live with him.

When she was a young woman, she earned her living as a coal miner.

After many years, they returned to their homeland.

We will meet at the library at 3:30 p.m.

It is on the counter.

Are you the delegates from Malagawatch?

Objective Personal Pronouns

An objective personal pronoun indicates that the pronoun is acting as an object of a verb, compound verb, preposition, or infinitive phrase. The objective personal pronouns are me, you, her, him, it, us, you, and them.

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

Seamus stole the selkie's skin and forced her to live with him.

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

After reading the pamphlet, Judy threw it into the garbage can.

The pronoun it is the direct object of the verb threw.

The agitated assistant stood up and faced the angry delegates and said: “Our leader will address you in five minutes”.

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

Deborah and Roberta will meet us at the newest café in the market.

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

Give the list to me.

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

I'm not sure that my contact will talk to you.

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

Christopher was surprised to see her at the drag races.

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

Possessive Personal Pronouns

A possessive personal pronoun indicates that the pronoun is acting as a marker of possession and defines who owns a particular object or person. The possessive personal pronouns are 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 sentences, the highlighted word is a possessive personal pronoun:

The smallest gift is mine.

Here the possessive pronoun mine functions as a subject complement.

This is yours.

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

His is on the kitchen counter.

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

Theirs will be delivered tomorrow.

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

Ours is the green one on the corner.

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

Demonstrative Pronouns

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 not continue.

Here this is used as the subject of the compound verb must not continue.

This is puny; that is the tree I want.

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.

Three customers wanted these.

Here these is the direct object of the verb wanted.

Interrogative Pronouns

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 wants to see the dentist first?

Which is the subject of the sentence.

Who wrote the novel Rockbound?

Similarly who is the subject of the sentence.

Whom do you think we should invite?

In this sentence, whom is the object of the verb invite.

To whom do you wish to speak?

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

Who will meet the delegates at the train station?

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

To whom did you give the paper?

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

What did she say?

Here the interrogative pronoun what is the direct object of the verb say.

Relative Pronouns

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 invite whomever you like to the party.

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

The candidate who wins the greatest popular vote is not always elected.

In this sentence, the relative pronoun who is the subject of the verb wins and introduces the subordinate clause who wins the greatest popular vote. This subordinate clause acts as an adjective modifying candidate.

In a time of crisis, the manager asks the workers whom she believes to be the most efficient to arrive an hour earlier than usual.

In this sentence whom is the direct object of the verb believes and introduces the subordinate clause whom she believes to be the most efficient. This subordinate clause modifies the noun workers.

Whoever broke the window will have to replace it.

Here whoever functions as the subject of the verb broke.

The crate which was left in the corridor has now been moved into the storage closet.

In this example which acts as the subject of the compound verb was left and introduces the subordinate clause which was left in the corridor. The subordinate clause acts as an adjective modifying the noun crate.

I will read whichever manuscript arrives first.

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

Indefinite Pronouns

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 invited to the lunch but only twelve showed up.

Here many acts as the subject of the compound verb were invited.

The office had been searched and everything was thrown onto the floor.

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

We donated everything we found in the attic to the woman's shelter garage sale.

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

Although they looked everywhere for extra copies of the magazine, they found none.

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

Make sure you give everyone a copy of the amended bylaws.

In this example, everyone is the indirect object of the verb give – the direct object is the noun phrase a copy of the amended bylaws.

Give a registration package to each.

Here each is the object of the preposition to.

Reflexive Pronouns

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:

Diabetics give themselves insulin shots several times a day.

The Dean often does the photocopying herself so that the secretaries can do more important work.

After the party, I asked myself why I had faxed invitations to everyone in my office building.

Richard usually remembered to send a copy of his e-mail to himself.

Although the landlord promised to paint the apartment, we ended up doing it ourselves.