Fundamentals of Composition Pronouns exit next

A pronoun is a word that can replace a noun. previous exit 10.2a next

A pronoun is a word that can replace a noun. Susan is an opera singer. She is an opera singer. previous exit 10.2b next

A pronoun is a word that can replace a noun. Susan is an opera singer. She is an opera singer. previous exit 10.2c next

The noun that the pronoun refers to is called the antecedent. previous exit 10.2d next

Although Maxine practiced diligently, she could not do the hula very well. previous exit 10.3a next

Antecedent Although Maxine practiced diligently, she could not do the hula very well. Pronoun previous exit 10.3b next

Examples of Personal Pronouns as Subjects Singular Plural First Person I we Second Person you you Third Person he, she, it they previous exit 10.4 next

She and I are best friends. Personal Pronouns She and I are best friends. It was they at the door. previous exit 10.5b next

She and I are best friends. Personal Pronouns She and I are best friends. It was they at the door. previous exit 10.5b next

She and I are best friends. Personal Pronouns She and I are best friends. It was they at the door. previous exit 10.5b next

Examples of Personal Pronouns as Objects Singular Plural First Person me us Second Person you you Third Person him, her, it them previous exit 10.7 next

The music annoyed him. Mary gave us the money. I live near him. previous exit 10.8a next

The music annoyed him. Mary gave us the money. I live near him. DO The music annoyed him. Mary gave us the money. I live near him. S V S V IO DO Obj of Prep previous exit 10.8b next

Possessive Pronouns Singular Plural mine ours yours yours his hers theirs its previous exit 10.9 next

The possessive pronoun is used to show ownership. Possessive Pronouns The possessive pronoun is used to show ownership. Remember that possessive pronouns do not use apostrophes to show possession as do nouns. previous exit 10.10 next

Correct: Truly yours Incorrect: Truly your’s previous exit 10.11 next

Compound Personal Pronouns Singular Plural First Person myself ourselves Second Person yourself yourselves Third Person himself themselves itself oneself previous exit 10.12 next

Compound Personal Pronouns A compound personal pronoun is formed by adding self or selves to certain personal pronouns. my + self = myself previous exit 10.13 next

She is majoring in engineering. Someone is majoring in engineering. Indefinite Pronouns Pronouns which do not refer to a definite person, place, or thing are called indefinite pronouns. She is majoring in engineering. Someone is majoring in engineering. previous exit 10.14 next

She is majoring in engineering. Someone is majoring in engineering. Indefinite Pronouns Pronouns which do not refer to a definite person, place, or thing are called indefinite pronouns. Definite She is majoring in engineering. Indefinite Someone is majoring in engineering. previous exit 10.15 next

Singular Indefinite Pronouns another anybody anymore anything one somebody each either everyone everybody everything neither nobody no one someone previous exit 10.16 next

Singular indefinite pronouns should be used with singular verbs. Everyone (enjoy enjoys) the staff picnic. previous 10.17a exit next

Everyone (enjoy enjoys) the staff picnic. Singular indefinite pronouns should be used with singular verbs. Singular Subject Everyone (enjoy enjoys) the staff picnic. Singular Verb previous 10.17b exit next

One of the men forgot (his their) report. In referring back to these pronouns as an antecedent, refer back with a singular pronoun. One of the men forgot (his their) report. previous 10.18a exit next

One of the men forgot (his their) report. In referring back to these pronouns as an antecedent, refer back with a singular pronoun. Singular Subject One of the men forgot (his their) report. Singular Pronoun previous 10.18b exit next

Plural Indefinite Pronouns both few many several previous exit 10.19 next

Plural Indefinite Pronouns Plural indefinite pronouns take plural verbs. Both of the generals (is are) assigned to the task force. previous 10.20a exit next

Plural Indefinite Pronouns Plural indefinite pronouns take plural verbs. Plural Subject Plural Verb Both of the generals (is are) assigned to the task force. previous 10.20b exit next

Many of the students forgot (their his her) class schedules. Plural indefinite pronouns are referred back to, when used as antecedents, by plural pronouns. Many of the students forgot (their his her) class schedules. previous 10.21a exit next

Many of the students forgot (their his her) class schedules. Plural indefinite pronouns are referred back to, when used as antecedents, by plural pronouns. Plural Subject Many of the students forgot (their his her) class schedules. Plural Pronoun previous 10.21b exit next

Demonstrative Pronouns this that them those previous exit 10.22 next

Demonstrative pronouns are used to emphasize a particular noun or identify a particular noun, place, or thing. previous exit 10.23 next

Demonstrative pronouns are used to emphasize a particular noun or identify a particular noun, place, or thing. That is my house. previous exit 10.24 next

Interrogative Pronouns who whose whom which what previous exit 10.25 next

Interrogative pronouns are used to ask questions. What did you get for Father’s Day? previous 10.30a, b exit next

Pronouns Used with Nouns A pronoun may be used with a noun. In this case, the use of the noun in the sentence determines the case (subject or object) of the pronoun. previous 10.31a, b exit next

We dancers need to keep fit. previous 10.32a exit next

We dancers need to keep fit. Subj Pro S We dancers need to keep fit. previous 10.32b exit next

The boss congratulated us sales representatives on our fine performance. previous 10.33a exit next

The boss congratulated us sales representatives on our fine performance. Obj Pro Object previous 10.33b exit next

Pronouns Used in Comparisons Sometimes a comparison is made using a clause which begins with than or as. If the comparison is left incomplete, you must complete it in order to decide whether the pronoun used is in the objective or subjective case. previous 10.34a, b exit next

Jack can read faster than (I me). previous 10.35a exit next

Jack can read faster than (I me). Jack can read faster than I (can read). previous 10.35b exit next

Kathy saves more of her allowance than I (save). previous exit 10.36 next

The accident cost us more than (they them). “The accident cost us more than (they cost).” We would not say: previous 10.37a, b exit next

Between you and (I me), Sally seems upset today. previous 10.38a exit next

Between you and (I me), Sally seems upset today. Preposition Object Between you and (I me), Sally seems upset today. previous 10.38b exit next

Prepositional Phrases A prepositional phrase contains a preposition and an object of the preposition. previous 10.40a exit next

Prepositional Phrases A prepositional phrase contains a preposition and an object of the preposition. Therefore, the pronoun must be in the objective case. previous 10.40b exit next

Incorrect Forms of Pronouns Words such as theirselves, hisself and ourselfs are not correct pronoun forms. DO NOT use them in your writing. previous exit 10.41 next

Correct Forms of Pronouns themselves himself ourselves previous exit next

Correct Forms of Pronouns We bought the boat ourselves. Correct: previous 10.42a exit next

Correct Forms of Pronouns We bought the boat ourselves. Correct: Incorrect: We bought the boat ourselfs. previous 10.42b exit next

Correct Forms of Pronouns Sam prepared the meal by himself. Correct: previous 10.43a exit next

Correct Forms of Pronouns Sam prepared the meal by himself. Correct: Incorrect: Sam prepared the meal by hisself. previous 10.43b exit next

Correct Forms of Pronouns The students planned the program themselves. Correct: previous 10.44a exit next

Correct Forms of Pronouns The students planned the program themselves. Correct: Incorrect: The students planned the program theirselves. previous 10.44b exit