A personal pronoun is a short word we use as a simple substitute for

the proper name of a person. Each of the English personal pronouns shows

us the grammatical person, gender, number, and case of the noun it
replaces. I, you, he, she, it, we they, me, him, her, us, and them are
all personal pronouns.

Personal pronouns are the stunt doubles of grammar; they stand in for the
people (and perhaps animals) who star in our sentences. They allow us to
speak and write with economy because they enable us to avoid repeating
cumbersome proper nouns all the live-long day.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu was born in 1931 in South Africa and Bishop Desmond Tutu
rose to international fame in the 1980s as an opponent of apartheid. The Nobel Peace
Prize was awarded to Bishop Desmond Tutu in 1984. Bishop Desmond Tutu has written
seven books and has cowritten or contributed to many others.

With personal pronouns, this paragraph becomes much easier, and much

less annoying, to read.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu was born in 1931 in South Africa and he rose to international
fame in the 1980s as an opponent of apartheid. The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded
to him in 1984. He has written seven books and has cowritten or contributed to many
others.

First-, Second-, and Third-Person Pronouns

A personal pronoun can be in one of three “persons.” A first-person

pronoun refers to the speaker, a second-person pronoun refers to the
person being spoken to, and a third-person pronoun refers to the person
being spoken of. For each of these three grammatical persons, there is a plural
as well.
Subject and Object Pronouns

Personal pronouns can be either subjects or objects in a sentence. Subject

pronouns are said to be in the nominative case, whereas object pronouns are
said to be in the objective case.

Person Nominative Objective

First singular I me

Second singular you you

Third singular he, she, it him, her, it

First plural we us

Second plural you you

Third plural they them

The interrogative pronouns for all three persons are the

same: who (nominative) and whom (objective). Many people get confused
about when to use the interrogative objective pronoun whom, but it is quite
easy to learn.

Mrs. Khan asked that the package be delivered to her at the office. (her = third person
singular objective)

To whom should I address my letter? (whom = interrogative objective; I = first person

singular nominative)

We would like to invite Stacy to join us for dinner. (we = first person plural nominative;
us = first person plural objective)

Second Person Singular vs. Plural

One pitfall of English is that it uses the same word, you, for both the second
person singular and plural. Many other languages do not have this problem,
because they use distinct words for each. But in English, we need a context to
determine whether you is singular or plural.

Would you like to come over for dinner?

From this sentence alone, we can’t determine whether one person, or two, or five
hundred people are being invited to share a meal. This is why in some parts of the world,
we hear additions to you when a plural is indicated, like you lot in the UK or you
all (or y’all) in America. It probably goes without saying that you should keep this out of
your formal writing.

The Singular “They”

While the second person has a number issue, the third person has a gender
solution for cases when the gender of the third-person singular pronoun is
indeterminate or neutral.

Using he or she and him or her is preferred by most style guides, but

informally, a singular they is often used.

If a customer wants to speak to a manger, they can phone after 10 o’clock.

The singular they is deemed acceptable usage by the Associated Press,

Merriam-Webster, and several other language guides.

Independent Clause
An independent clause is a clause that can stand alone as a sentence (i.e., it
expresses a complete thought). A dependent clauses (or subordinate clause) is
one that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence (i.e., it does not express a
complete thought).

Remember that a clause has a subject and a verb.

Easy Examples of Dependent and Independent Clauses

In all examples, the independent clauses are highlighted, and the dependent
clauses aren't. Also, in each clause, the subject is underlined and the verb is in
bold.

 The patrol had spotted the sniper, who was hiding in an attic.

 Do you know the butcher who went to court on Saturday?

 I am not tidying the dishes unless Peter helps.

 When it rains, the daffodils bow their heads.

Notice how the shaded clauses could all stand alone as sentences. They are
independent clauses.

The Link between an Independent Clause and a Dependent Clauses

An independent clause is linked to a dependent clause with a subordinating

conjunction (common ones are after, although, as, because, before, even
if, even though, if, provided, rather than, since, so
that, than, though, unless, until, whether, while, how, that, what, when,
and where) or a relative pronoun (common ones
are which, who, whom, whose, why, whoever, and whosever.) Look at these
examples:

 If I held you any closer, I would be on the other side of you.

(Groucho Marx)
 (The dependent clause is linked to the independent one with the
subordinating conjunction if.)

 Wives are people who feel they don't dance enough. (Groucho Marx)

(The dependent clause is linked to the independent one with the

relative pronoun who.)

Dependent Clauses inside Independent Clauses. Grammarians are

divided on whether a dependent clause can be a component of an independent
clause. Some say yes, and some say no. The no-camp claims that a dependent
clause must be linked with a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun to
an independent clause.

 Whoever named it necking was a poor judge of anatomy. (Groucho

Marx)

(According to the yes-camp, whoever named it necking is a dependent

clause despite being the subject of the independent clause.)

Types of Dependent Clause. Let's quickly look at dependent clauses. They

can function as adjectives, adverbs, or nouns.

Type Example

Adjective Clause I refuse to join any club that would have me as a

member. (Groucho Marx)
(The dependent clause that would have me as a
member describes the club. It's an adjective
clause.)

Adverbial Clause I find television very educating.

When it's on, I go into the other room and read a
book. (Groucho Marx)
(The dependent clause When it's on modifies the
 verb go. It is an adverbial clause.)

Noun Clause A black cat crossing your path signifies that the

animal is going somewhere. (Groucho Marx)
(According to the yes-camp, that the animal is
going somewhere is a dependent clause despite
being part of the independent clause.)

The Types of Sentence Structure. The number of independent clauses and

dependent clauses in a sentence determines the sentence-structure type.
Why Should I Care about Independent and Dependent Clauses?

There's only one reason to care about independent and dependent clauses:
comma placement.

There are three, well, four at a push, noteworthy points linked to comma
placement.

(Point 1) Use a comma before an and that links two independent

clauses.

If your and links two independent clauses, precede it with a comma. This rule

does not apply only to and. It applies to any coordinating
conjunction (e.g., but, or). Put another way, the rule is "use a comma before a
conjunction that joins the independent clauses in a compound sentence."

 Yesterday is dead, and tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just

today, and I'm going to be happy in it.   (Groucho Marx)

(This quotation has two compound sentences. In each one, there are
two independent clauses linked by and with a comma.)

 I never forget a face, but in your case I will be glad to make an

exception .  (Groucho Marx)

(Remember that it's all coordinating conjunctions not just and.)

 I have a mind to join a club and beat you over the head with it.   
(Groucho Marx)

(There is no comma before the and because beat you over the head

with it is not an independent clause. This is a simple sentence, i.e., it's
one independent clause with one subject.)

 In Hollywood, brides keep the bouquets and throw away the

groom.   (Groucho Marx)
 (There is no comma before the and because throw away the groom is
not an independent clause.)

(Point 2) Use commas with nonessential dependent clauses that

start with who or which (or any relative pronoun for that matter).

If a dependent clause functioning as an adjective is essential to specify its

noun, it's not offset with commas. (NB: In these examples, the dependent
clauses are shaded.)

 My sister who lives in London was arrested. 

(Here, the clause is essential to identify my sister. From this, readers

would infer that I have more than one sister.)

 My sister, who lives in London, was arrested. 

(Here, the clause is nonessential. It does not specify my sister. From

this, without more context, readers would infer that I have one sister.
The clause is just additional information. It could be deleted without
disrupting the readers' understanding of my sister.)

 The first thing which I can record concerning myself is that I was

born. This life, which neither time nor eternity can bring diminution to,
began. My mind loses itself in these depths.   (Groucho Marx)

(Here, the first dependent clause is essential to specify thing. The

second clause is nonessential. It does not specify life. It is just additional
information. Therefore, it is nonessential and offset with commas. The
nonessential clause could have been offset with brackets instead of
commas or even deleted, and that's a good test of whether a clause is
essential or nonessential.)

 Anyone who says he can see through women is missing a lot.   

(Groucho Marx)
 (Here, the clause is essential to specify anyone.)

When used to head an adjective dependent clause, which and who are relative

pronouns. Such clauses are often called relative clauses.
Remember that this rule does not apply only to who and which. It applies to
any relative pronoun (e.g., whose, why).

(Point 3) Use a comma after an adverbial dependent clause that

sits before the independent clause. Don't use a comma before the
clause if it follows the independent clause.

Using a comma after a fronted adverbial dependent clause is such a common

style, it's becoming increasingly safe to call it a rule. The purpose of the
comma is to aid reading. It shows your readers where the clause ends.
Omitting a comma isn't a hideous crime (and lots of writers do it, even prefer
it), but omitting the comma can cause your readers to stumble as they try to
find the end of the dependent clause.

Can you read these without stumbling?

 When the witch cooked her cat lurked by her feet.

 While cleaning the water can steam.

Here are some examples with commas. (NB: In these examples,

the independent clauses are shaded.)

 If it is meant to be, it will be. 

 Whenever I see you next, remind me not to talk to you.   (Groucho

Marx)

 Before I speak, I have something important to say.   (Groucho Marx)

(As the adverbial dependent clauses are at the front, they are offset
with commas.)
With the clause at the back, there's no comma.

 It will be if it is meant to be. 

 Remind me not to talk to you whenever I see you next. 

 I have something important to say before I speak. 

(Point 4) There's more to Point 3.

Let's complicate the issue a bit. The rule that states "do not use a comma
when the adverbial clause follows the independent clause" is not really the
rule. In fact, the rule for post-positioned adverbial clauses is the same as for
post-positioned adjective clauses (see Point 2). In other words, use a comma if
the adverbial clause is nonessential. The problem is that it's way more difficult
to decide whether an adverbial clause is essential or nonessential than it is
with an adjective clause. As the vast majority of adverbial clauses are
essential, it's pretty safe, but not entirely safe, to declare that a post-
positioned adverbial clause isn't preceded by a comma.
This issue typically crops up with because that explains a negative.

 Jack didn't win because he was the best player. He won because he
paid the referee.

(In this example, Jack actually won. The dependent clause because he

was the best player is deemed essential to distinguish it from the
situation below.)

 Jack didn't win, because he was the worst player.

(In this example, Jack lost, as you'd expect the worst player to.)

The comma distances the dependent clause from didn't win. In the two
examples above, the contexts make the meaning clear, but what about this
example:

 Jack didn't win because he was rich.

 (Now we're unsure whether Jack won. The absence of a comma tells us
he did win, but, really, who'd read this sentence and deduce that Jack
won?)

The take-away point here is that a comma before a post-positioned adverbial

clause distances it from the verb in the independent clause. It makes the
clause nonessential.

 He died as you'd expect a young officer to.

(He died with honor.)

 He died, as you'd expect a young officer to.

(This could mean he died because he was useless or because it was

statistically likely.)

If you ever find yourself relying on the comma before a post-positioned

adverbial clause for clarity, don't. Reword.

Key Points
 An and linking two independent clauses is preceded by a comma, and
this applies to but and or too.

 If you'd happily put your relative clause, which will usually start
with which or who, in brackets or delete it, then it's nonessential and
should be offset with commas.

 If your adverbial clause is at the front, offset it with a comma. Don't

use a comma if it's at the back.
A relative pronoun is used to connect a clause or phrase to a
noun or pronoun. The clause modifies, or describes, the noun.

The most common relative pronouns

are who, whom, whose, which, and that.
Sometimes when and where can be used as relative pronouns as
well.

Using Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns are placed directly after the noun or pronoun they modify. For example:

 The driver who ran the stop sign was careless.

 The children, whom we love dearly, need better educations.

 Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died. (Erma Bombeck)

 I have a friend whose cat is annoying.

 The book, which is now out of print, has all the information you need.

 This is the book that everyone is talking about.

In each example above, the subject of the sentence is described by a relative clause
(italicized). As these clauses describe a noun or a pronoun, they are also known as adjective
clauses, because they act like adjectives in the sentence. Each clause is introduced by a
relative pronoun (in bold). Relative pronouns connect the description to the rest of the
sentence in an orderly way.

Occasionally, the relative adverbs "when" and "where" are also used as relative pronouns.
For example:

 Grandma remembers a time when radio shows were popular.

 I want to visit the island where my grandma was born.

In these cases, "when" and "where" introduce clauses that describe a noun the refers to a
time or place, making them work as relative pronouns in these sentences.
Defining vs. Non-Defining Relative Clauses

When relative pronouns are used to add descriptive information, that information is either
defining or non-defining. A defining clause - also known as a restrictive clause - gives
essential information about the noun in question. It is so important that it cannot be cut out
of the sentence and still convey the intended meaning. For example:

 This is the dog that was hit by a car.

 I don't like people who interrupt me.

In both cases, the italicized clauses contain critical information. You can tell because if you
cut out the clause, the sentence's meaning is fundamentally different. For example, saying "I
don't like people" is very different from saying "I don't like people who interrupt me."

Note that defining clauses require no additional punctuation.

On the other hand, non-defining clauses add information that's nice to have but isn't
essential to the sentence's overall meaning. They could be deleted and the sentence would
convey basically the same information. For example:

 This painting, which I adore, is worth over a million dollars.

 The teacher, who was about to retire, began writing her memoirs.

In both cases, you could cut out the non-defining clause and still understand the point of the
sentence. The important part is that the paint is worth a million dollars; the fact that it is
adored is merely nice to know.

Note that non-defining clauses are set apart from the main sentence by commas, which help
to indicate its less important status in the sentence.

A Note About Who, That, and Which

One of the most common mistakes in writing is to use the wrong relative pronoun,
particularly when it comes to mixing up "who" and "that." "Who" is always used to set up a
relative clause that describes a person, while "that" is used to describe an object or another
non-human being. For example:

 I like the girl who runs fast.

 I like the dog that does tricks

 I like the clock that chimes the hour.

Another common error is to mix up that and which. When describing objects and non-human
beings, "that" is used to introduce a defining relative clause, while "which" is used to
introduce a non-defining clause. For example:

 The cat, which is very old, took a nap.

 The cat that is very old needs to see the vet today.

The relative pronoun "which" is used for non-essential information set off by commas; "that"
is used for essential information and requires no additional punctuation.

When it comes to people, however, you don't have to worry about confusing "which" or
"that." You always use "who:"

 The woman, who is very old, took a nap.

 The woman who is very old needs to see the doctor today.

It's all Relative

Knowing how relative pronouns work in a sentence will help you add important descriptive
information in the form of relative clauses. Once you understand how they work, you'll be
able to decide whether your information is defining or non-defining and choose the
appropriate relative pronouns and punctuation to lead your readers to a deeper
understanding of your meaning.
Compound personal pronouns are compounds made from a
personal pronoun and the suffix -self (singular) or -selves (plural).

Structure

In the first and second person, the suffix is added to the possessive adjective my,

our or your:

 First person: myself, ourselves

 Second person: yourself, yourselves

 However, in the third person, the suffix is added to the object pronoun him, her,

it or them:

 Third person: himself, herself, itself, themselves

 Note: Avoid using third person compounds formed from possessive adjectives

(himself, theirselves). These pronouns are non-standard.
 Use
 Compound personal pronouns may be used as reflexive pronouns or
as intensive pronouns.

 Reflexive pronouns reflect an action back onto the subject of a verb or of an

infinitive—or onto a possessive noun or pronoun—in the same sentence.

o Matt caught sight of himself in the mirror.

o The ski poles will help you to lift yourself up if you fall.

o Laila’s determination to put herself through college paid off.

o My plan was to get myself a better job.

 Intensive pronouns emphasize a noun or pronoun in the same sentence.

o The students themselves created the sculpture.

o I will speak to them myself.

 Don’ts
 Avoid the following common errors with compound personal pronouns.
o Don’t use a reflexive pronoun unless the noun or pronoun referred to
appears in the same sentence.
 Correct: Megan bought tickets for John and herself.

 Correct: I bought tickets for John and myself.

 BUT
 Incorrect: Megan bought tickets for John and myself.
 In the last example, the reflexive pronoun is wrong because it has no word to refer
to in the same sentence. It should be replaced with me:

 Correct: Megan bought tickets for John and me.

o Don’t overuse compound personal pronouns for emphasis:

 I myself am personally responsible for the project.

 Here the adverb personally provides the emphasis, so that the pronoun myself is

redundant.