PARTS OF SPEECH: PRONOUNS

Learning the Nine Types of Pronouns

Understanding and using pronouns correctly can be a challenge because of their many categories, functions, and confusing names, but success is possible, so read on! A pronoun is a word such as we, them, or anyone that replaces a noun or another pronoun. Pronouns must match the number and gender of the noun they stand for and be in a case (form) that matches its function. Pronouns have the same functions as nouns: They may act as subjects and subject complements, direct objects, indirect objects, and objects of prepositions. The noun that a pronoun refers to is called the antecedent of the pronoun. In the sentence George wrote the essay in class and typed it later the noun essay is the antecedent of the pronoun it. If you cannot point to the antecedent of a pronoun in your writing, you need to change the wording so that your meaning will be clear to the reader. For more on antecedents as well as number and case agreement, gender bias, and other specific pronoun issues, see other resources. Here is an explanation of the nine types of pronouns: A. PERSONAL PRONOUNS: Personal pronouns refer to specific persons, places, or things. 1. Subjective Case: A personal pronoun should be in the subjective case (form) if the pronoun functions as a subject or subject complement. A subject pronoun usually comes before the verb; a subject complement pronoun follows a linking verb. Singular First person: I Second person: you Third person: he/she/it Plural we you they Examples: We are successful. (Subject) They like pizza. (Subject) The winners were Kim and I. (Subject complement)

2. Objective case: If a pronoun stands for any other noun than a subject or subject complement, use the objective case. Object pronouns can be direct objects (DO), indirect objects (IO), or objects of prepositions (OP). Notice that you and it are in both lists. Singular me you him/her/it Plural us you them Examples: The secretary notified us today. (DO) My aunt wrote me a letter. (IO) For her, I would do anything. (OP)

First person: Second person: Third person:

B. POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS: Possessive pronouns act as adjectives that show ownership. 1. These possessive pronouns act as adjectives showing ownership: Singular my your his/her/its Plural our your their Examples: My friend found his dog. Their cat sharpened its claws.

First person: Second person: Third person:

Note: Do not confuse the pronoun its with the contraction its, which means it is. 2. These possessive pronouns stand for an adjective possessive pronoun plus a noun: Example: That backpack is mine. (mine = my backpack) Singular mine yours his/hers Plural ours yours theirs Example: The decision is yours to make. (yours = your decision)

First person: Second person: Third person:

C. INDEFINITE PRONOUNS: Indefinite pronouns are noun substitutes that are not specific (definite) in meaning. 1. Indefinite pronouns fall into two categories: List 1. Pronouns that refer to a non-specific noun: anybody, anyone, anything, everybody, everyone, everything, nobody, none, no one, nothing, somebody, someone, something Example: Nothing gets accomplished without some effort. List 2. Pronouns that refer to a specific noun whose meaning is clear only because of a previous mention or because of words that follow the indefinite pronoun: all, another, any, both, each, either, few, many, neither, one, some, several. Examples: Several are planning to fly to New York. (The identity of the group that is flying to New York would have already been mentioned.) Do you want some of these books? (Books makes clear the meaning of some.) Note: The indefinite pronouns in List 2 function simply as adjectives when they are are directly followed by nouns. Examples: Several students received awards. My mother baked some pies for the picnic. 2. Indefinite pronouns may be singular or plural. The verbs (underlined) must match in number. another anybody anyone anything each either everybody everyone everything neither nobody no one nothing one somebody something someone

Singular

Examples: There are four groups of students, and each has its own assignment. Something unexpected is happening.

Plural

both few many several

Examples: Both of the documents were signed. Many in the audience agree with the speaker.

Note: When these indefinite pronouns are followed by a prepositional phrase, the pronoun should agree in number with the noun that is the object of the preposition. all any either (depending on none the noun it some stands for) Singular or Plural more most Examples: Some of the planning is finished. Some of the apples are ripe. Remember that the verb must agree in number with the bolded antecedent. Planning takes a singular verb and apples takes a plural verb.

D. RELATIVE PRONOUNS: A relative pronoun connects (relates) an adjective clause or a noun clause to the rest of the sentence. 1. Relative pronouns that introduce adjective clauses: When a relative pronoun introduces an adjective clause, the pronoun refers to a noun already mentioned in the main clause of the sentence. who whose whom which that

Examples (Adjective clauses are underlined): The mystery novel that she recently completed will be published next year. (That refers back to novel and acts as a direct object in the adjective clause.) Healing is more rapid for patients who have a positive attitude. (Who refers back to patients and acts as the subject of the adjective clause.) 2. Relative pronouns that introduce noun clauses: who whoever whom whomever what whatever which whichever whose that

Within a sentence, a noun clause may function as a subject, complement, appositive, or object of a verb or preposition. The relative pronoun acts as a subject or object within the noun clause, though the normal word order may be changed. Note: Who and whoever are used as subject pronouns, and whom and whomever are used as object pronouns. (Noun clauses are underlined.) Examples: Whoever uses the kitchen should wash the dishes. (The noun clause is the subject of the sentence. Whoever is the subject of the noun clause.) The criminal got what he deserved. (The noun clause is the direct object of the verb got. Within the noun clause, what is the direct object of the verb deserved, even though it comes before the verb.) E. INTERROGATIVE PRONOUNS: An interrogative pronoun introduces a question. who whoever whom whomever what whatever which whichever whose

Notice the similarity of this list to the relative pronoun list. Like relative pronouns, interrogative pronouns can have different grammatical functions. As in all questions, the word order may not be normal. Examples: Whose books are those? (adjective modifying books) Whom will Mr. Broder select as head of the committee? (direct object of the verb will select) In which of his two poems does the author express himself most effectively? (object of the preposition in) F. DEMONSTRATIVE PRONOUNS: The four demonstrative pronouns point out nouns. They often act as 1.) adjectives, indicating which person(s), places(s), or thing(s) are being referred to or as 2.) noun substitutes when the noun is understood. this that these those

Examples: These problems are easy to solve. (adjective modifying problems) Do you like this wallpaper? (adjective modifying wallpaper) You like these apples, but I prefer those. (These acts as an adjective modifying apples; those acts as a pronoun that stands for the noun apples.)

G. INTENSIVE PRONOUNS: Intensive pronouns emphasize nouns or other pronouns. They immediately follow the noun they emphasize. If an intensive pronoun is omitted, the sentence will still make sense grammatically. Singular: Plural: myself ourselves yourself yourselves himself herself themselves itself

Examples: The bank president himself called to apologize for the error. (Himself emphasizes president.) She herself was not as concerned as others were about the problem. (Herself emphasizes she.) H. REFLEXIVE PRONOUNS: Reflexive pronouns rename subjects of action verbs. They function as various types of objects. If the reflexive pronoun is omitted, the sentence will not make sense. Note that the following list is the same as the list of intensive pronouns above. Singular: Plural: myself ourselves yourself yourselves himself herself itself themselves

Examples: The logger cut himself with his ax. (direct object of the verb cut) Kim poured herself a cup of coffee. (indirect object of the verb cut) The old man was talking loudly to himself. (object of the preposition to) I. RECIPROCAL PRONOUNS: Reciprocal pronouns refer to individual parts of a preceding plural noun. each other one another Examples: The children waved goodbye to each other as they parted. The students helped one another study before the test.