PRONOUNS (SB P.

155)

Pronouns are used in the place of nouns and noun phrases. Using pronouns means that what you
say or write sounds better since you avoid repetition. Compare:

The girl is called Sarah. She’s 10.

There’re many types of pronouns.

1. REFLEXIVE PRONOUNS

SUBJECT PRONOUN REFLEXIVE PRONOUN

I Myself
You Yourself
He Himself
She Herself
It Itself
We Ourselves
You Yourselves
They Themselves

 We often use reflexive pronouns when the subject and the object of a verb are the same.

I cut myself preparing dinner

He had to make himself lunch today as his parents were not here.

 We can use reflexive pronouns for emphasis.

Did you make all that yourself?

Did they cook this themselves?

 Common verbs that may be followed by a reflexive pronoun: behave yourself, commit
yourself (to sth), enjoy yourself, help yourself (*)

(*) Help yourself = to serve oneself as much food or drink as one would like // to take without
asking for permission.

2. THERE

THERE + to be
  We often use “there” + to be to talk about something that exists. This is called “existential
there”. It doesn’t have any meaning, but we still need a word to act as the subject of the
sentence. Remember that in English there’re no sentences without subjects.

There’s a book I love – its called “Into the Wild”.

3. IT

IT + to be

 We use it to refer to weather, time, temperature and distances. Again, just as “there” it
doesn’t mean anything, but we need this word to act as the subject of many sentences.

It’s cold

It’s 3 o’ clock.

It’s freezing.

It’s not far away.

4. SOMETHING/ SOMEONE(BODY)/SOMEWHERE

 We use them in affirmative statements. But we can also use them in negatives and
questions to sound more positive and encouraging.

Did you do anything last night?  I’m asking a straight question.

Did you do something last night?  I’m expecting an affirmative answer.

5. ANYTHING/ ANYONE(BODY)/ ANYWHERE

 We use them in negatives and questions.