Pronouns - Easy Or Tricky?

Pronouns - Easy Or Tricky?

Do you find Pronouns difficult to understand then you are in the right place. So, what are Pronouns? Where do we use them? Why do we use them? What are its types, how and where we use them?

"you, what, where, why, them, what" - these all are examples of pronouns. Funny right? Let us get to know more about this topic.

Definition: "A pronoun is a word that replaces the noun or a noun phrase in a sentence."

There should always be an agreement between a pronoun and its antecedent in person, number, and gender.

*antecedent is the word or phrase to which a pronoun refers.

*singular and plural pronoun replaces singular and plural nouns respectively.

For example

1. Despite being sisters, Isabel and Amanda study in separate schools. Otherwise, they have good bonding.

Here pronoun 'They' is referring to antecedent Isabel and Amanda. 

Why Do We Use Pronouns?

In any piece of writing, the use of a noun clarifies the subject. But, the repetitive use of the noun makes it monotonous. Moreover, hinders the flow while reading or writing. That's the reason we use pronouns whenever we need to refer back to the subject.

See yourself the difference:

"Impact of COVID-19 on Human Psyche".

"COVID-19 has made us realize the value of life and the importance of our loved ones. We feel restrained because of COVID-19. But COVID-19 gave us time to reflect upon our experiences, values, associations, and the damage we have caused to nature. So, now we can relate to the excruciating pain which animals suffer in confinement. COVID-19 has proved how vague money, fame, luxury are, and we don't need them for a quality life. We are ruining our generations by being money-grubbing and leading them to the same path. In the end, what counts is peace within us and the people we love."

In this example, the subject 'Covid-19' we haven't replaced with the pronoun "it", which hinders the flow while reading. So, re-read the same but replace 'COVID-19' with 'it' after mentioning it in the first sentence.

Let's take one more example.

"Many a time, Jane and Lisbon were quite close to catching Red John in the 'The Mentalist' series. But Jane and Lisbon couldn't catch him until the mid of season 6, the 8th episode. Moreover, Jane and Lisbon made an interesting pair."

Here subject 'Jane and Lisbon' is repeated several times. So, to avoid the unvarying tone, we will replace 'Jane and Lisbon' with the pronoun 'they, after mentioning it once in the beginning. 

The difference is clear in the below-given sentences.

"Many a time, Jane and Lisbon were quite close to catching Red John in the series "The Mentalist". But they couldn't catch him until the mid of season 6, the 8th episode. Moreover, they made an interesting pair."

Types of pronouns and their usage.

1. Personal Pronouns
2. Demonstrative Pronouns
3. Possessive Pronouns
4. Indefinite Pronouns
5. Interrogative Pronouns
6. Relative Pronouns
7. Reflexive Pronouns
8. Reciprocal Pronouns
9. Emphatic Pronouns

Personal Pronoun:-

It is used to refer to a person, object, or animal.

Subject pronouns:- It replaces a noun used as a subject in a sentence. It, you, we, I, He, She, they, etc.

Examples

1. I always try to make other people laugh.

2. They do not understand how important this project is for our company.

Object pronouns:- It replaces a noun used as an object in a sentence. It, you, us, me, him, her, them

Examples:

1. I won't blame you for coming late as I understand your circumstances very well.

2. This time, you are not going to invite them. 

3. They do not understand how important this project is for us.

Demonstrative Pronouns - They are used to indicate how far or near something is from the speaker. 

  Examples: 

  1. This is the pen I was searching for since then.   

  2. That is your umbrella.   

  3. These are the teachers' diaries.   

  4. Those are the most talented players on our cricket team.

This, That, These, Those are the demonstrative pronouns.

 

Possessive Pronouns

Refer to the specific nouns and show belongingness or ownership.

Singular: mine, yours, hers, his, its

Plural: ours, theirs

Examples

1. They have found my book set, what about yours?
2. Could you please give me your pen? I have lost mine.
3. If you can't find your phone, why don't you use hers?

Indefinite Pronouns

They refer to things or people without giving specific details about them or without mentioning who they are.

anybody, anyone, anything, 

everybody, everyone, everything, 

nobody, no one, nothing, 

somebody, someone, something, all, none

Example:

1. All are invited to the meeting tonight.
2. Some people are attention seekers.
3. Is there anyone who has the skill to cone others?
4. Everyone considers my room too bright because I used orange and green color paint.

Interrogative Pronouns

Ask a question for nouns about which specific details are not present.

Five interrogative pronouns are:

what, which, who, whom, whose

Who

-Refers to the subject and is used to ask questions about people.

Examples

1. Who gave you this packet?
2. I am wondering who is going to pick me up today?

Whom

Refers to the object used for asking questions about people. 

Examples

1. You should confirm whom we need to call for this matter?
2. Whom do you prefer to cook food?

What

-Used for asking a question about objects or people.

Examples

1. What was kept under the table?
2. What were those people asking about?

Which

-Ask questions about things and people.

Examples

1. Which color do you prefer the most?
2. Which offer do you want to put on hold?

Relative Pronouns:-

In complex sentences, relative pronouns refer to the main clause. And words used as the relative pronouns are:

i) who/ whoever: 

• Modify the subject
• Used only in the context of people

Example:

1. There was a man at the party who was dancing like a pro.

ii) whom/ whomever:

• Modify the object.
• Used only in the context of people.

Example:

1. I was wondering whom he was referring to during the argument.

iii.) which/ whichever:

1. Modifies the subject as well as the object.
2. Used to refer to qualities, things, and ideas.

Example:

• Is this the same novel, which you mentioned in your speech?

iv) that

• Modifies the subject as well as the object.
• It is used to refer to qualities, things, and ideas.

Example:

1. Rigsby wants to sing a song that reflects his patriotism.

v) whose

• It shows possession
• It is used to refer to qualities, things, and ideas.

Example:

1. Whose pen is left on the table?

Reflexive Pronouns:-

• Are required to the meaning of a sentence.
• Serve as the object of the sentence.
• Show the receiver of the action.
• Follow a preposition or a verb.

Singular - myself, yourself, himself/herself/itself, oneself.

Plural - ourselves, yourselves, themselves.

 Examples

1. I did household chores myself.
2. He completed his assignment himself.

Reciprocal pronouns:-

It indicates mutual action whose benefits and consequences are equally received by both parties. This pronoun is used when something is happened and is reciprocated by others in return.

Two types of reciprocal pronouns are:

• Each other
• One another

Examples

1. On their wedding day, they gave rings to each other.

2. They both blamed each other for the crime they were interrogated for.

Emphatic Pronouns:-

• Emphasize the subject.
• Placed before the verb.
• Do not change the meaning of the sentence even if removed.

Example

1. They themselves verified the details.

2. He himself admitted his mistake.

3. I myself was scared of the Mathematics teacher.

Enjoy Learning!😊

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