What is a Pronoun?
In grammar, a pronoun is defined
as a word or phrase that may be substituted for a noun or
noun phrase, which once replaced, is known as the pronoun’s antecedent. How is
this possible? In a nutshell, it’s because pronouns can do everything that
nouns can do. A pronoun can act as a subject, direct object, indirect object,
object of the preposition, and more.
Without pronouns, we’d have to keep on repeating nouns,
and that would make our speech and writing repetitive, not to mention
cumbersome. Most pronouns are very short words. Examples include:
·
He
·
She
·
They
·
It
·
We
·
Who
As mentioned, pronouns are usually used to replace nouns,
however they can also stand in for certainadverbs, adjectives, and other pronouns.
Anytime you want to talk about a person, animal, place or thing, you can use
pronouns to make your speech or writing flow better.
Types of Pronouns
Pronouns can be divided into numerous categories
including:
Examples of Indefinite Pronouns
1.
We are going on vacation.
2.
Don’t tell me that you can’t
go with us.
3.
Anybody who says it won’t be fun has
no clue what they are talking about.
4.
These are terribly steep stairs.
5.
We ran into each other at the mall.
·
Personal
pronouns – those associated
with a certain person, thing, or group; all except you have distinct forms that
indicate singular or plural number
Examples of Personal
Pronouns
1.
You need to stop lying to me.
2.
We would love for you to join us.
3.
Come look at my cat! He has climbed to the top
of that tree.
·
Reflexive
pronouns – those preceded by
the adverb, adjective, pronoun, or noun to which they refer, and ending in –self or –selves
Examples of Reflexive
Pronouns
1.
I was in a hurry, so I washed the car myself.
2.
You’re going to have to drive yourself to
school today.
3.
He wanted to impress her, so he baked a cake himself.
4.
Jennifer does chores herself because she
doesn’t trust others to do them right.
5.
That car is in a class all by itself.
Examples of Demonstrative
Pronouns
1.
This was my mother’s ring.
2.
That looks
like the car I used to drive.
3.
These are nice shoes, but they look uncomfortable.
4.
Those look like riper than the apples on my tree.
5.
Such was
her command over the English language.
Examples of Possessive
pronouns
1.
This is my
cat, not your cat. (Sounds repetitive)
2.
This cat is mine, not yours.
3.
I didn’t have my book so Jenny lent me her
book. (Sounds repetitive)
4.
I didn’t have my book, so Jenny lent me hers.
5.
Your car is a lot faster than my car. (Sounds
repetitive)
Relative
pronouns – those which refer
to nouns mentioned previously, acting to introduce an adjective (relative)
clause
Examples of Relative
Pronouns
1.
The cyclist who won the race trained hard.
2.
The pants that I bought yesterday are already
stained.
3.
The four team leaders, whomever the committee
selects, will be at tomorrow’s meeting.
4.
Spaghetti, which we eat at least twice a week,
is one of my family’s favorite meals.
5.
Where did you buy the dress what you wore last
week?
Example of Interrogative
Pronouns
1.
What do you want for your birthday?
2.
Which shirt do you think looks better on me?
3.
Who do you think will win the playoff game?
4.
To whom are you speaking?
5.
Whose socks are those?
Examples of Reciprocal
Pronouns
1.
Maria and Juan gave each other gold rings on
their wedding day.
2.
Maria and Juan kissed each other at the end of
the ceremony.
3.
Terry and Jack were talking to each other in
the hallway.
4.
We give each other gifts during the holidays.
5.
The students congratulated one another after
giving practice speeches.
·
Intensive
pronouns – those ending in –self or –selves and that serve to emphasize their
antecedents
Examples of Intensive Pronouns
1.
Jesse wondered aloud whether he himself was the
only one seeing what was happening.
2.
Maria knew that she herself could make a
positive impact on the world, if only she put her mind to it.
3.
You yourself can easily transform your body:
All it takes is a proper diet and plenty of exercise.
4.
The team knew that they themselves were
responsible for playing their best.
5.
We ourselves are the ones who make the greatest
impact upon the world we live in.
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