Pronouns

A pronoun is a word that takes the place of one or more nouns.

Personal Pronouns Pronouns that refer to people or things are called personal pronouns.

Subject & Object Pronouns A subject pronoun is a personal pronoun in the nominative case. It is used as a subject. I will read that fairytale.

Subject & Object Pronouns An object pronoun is a personal pronoun in the objective case. It is used as the direct or indirect object of a verb. Jessica told me about the story.

SingularPlural Used as Subjects Used as Objects

SingularPlural Used as SubjectsI you he, she, it Used as Objects

SingularPlural Used as SubjectsIwe you he, she, itthat Used as Objects

SingularPlural Used as SubjectsIwe you he, she, itthat Used as Objectsme you him, her, it

SingularPlural Used as SubjectsIwe you he, she, itthat Used as Objectsmeus you him, her, itthem

Using Pronouns Correctly Sometimes people confuse pronouns in the nominative and objective cases.

Using Pronouns Correctly Be sure to use a subject pronoun in a compound subject and an object pronoun in a compound object. Richard and I recited the fable. (not Richard and me) Jennifer helped Richard and me. (not Richard and I)

Using Pronouns Correctly If you can’t decide which form to use, try saying the sentence without the noun. Abigail and ____ recited the fable. (I or Me?) Always use I or me last in a compound subject or object. Jennifer and I enjoyed folktales. (not I and Jennifer)

Pronouns & Antecedents The noun or group of words that a pronoun refers to is called its antecedent. Albert read “Sleeping Beauty.” He found it exciting.

Pronouns & Antecedents The noun or group of words that a pronoun refers to is called its antecedent. Albert read “Sleeping Beauty.” He found it exciting.

Pronouns & Antecedents The pronoun and antecedent must agree in number (singular or plural) and gender (male, female, or neutral). The king and queen were proud of the baby girl, and they loved her dearly.

Possessive Pronouns Some personal pronouns indicate ownership or possession. These pronouns are called possessive pronouns. It shows who or what has something.

Possessive Pronouns Sometimes they come before the noun. His fables are famous. Its characters are often animals. Sometimes they stand alone. This book is yours. Aesop’s Fables is a favorite of mine.

SingularPlural Used Before Nouns Used Alone

SingularPlural Used Before Nounsmy your her, his, its Used Alone

SingularPlural Used Before Nounsmyour your her, his, itstheir Used Alone

SingularPlural Used Before Nounsmyour your her, his, itstheir Used Alonemine yours hers, his, its

SingularPlural Used Before Nounsmyour your her, his, itstheir Used Alonemineours yours hers, his, itstheirs

Indefinite Pronouns An indefinite pronoun does not refer to a particular person, place, thing, or idea. The can be used alone or with nouns. Has any student read the folktale? Have any read that book?

Always SingularAlways Plural anothereverybodyno one anybodyeveryonenothing anyoneeverythingone anythingmuchsomebody eachneithersomeone eithernobodysomething

Always SingularAlways Plural anothereverybodyno one anybodyeveryonenothing anyoneeverythingone anythingmuchsomebody eachneithersomeone eithernobodysomething

Always SingularAlways Plural anothereverybodyno oneboth anybodyeveryonenothingfew anyoneeverythingonemany anythingmuchsomebodyothers eachneithersomeoneseveral eithernobodysomething

Interrogative Pronouns An interrogative pronoun introduces a question. what, which, whom, and whose Whose bicycle is this? Which of these is the correct answer?

Demonstrative Pronouns A demonstrative pronoun points out a specific person, place, thing, or idea. this, that, these, those This birthday card is hilarious. Are those stars always visible to us?

Reflexive Pronouns A reflexive pronoun is formed by adding –self or –selves to a personal pronoun. Acts as an object. 1 st Person: myself, ourselves 2 nd Person: yourself, yourselves 3 rd Person: himself, herself, itself, and themselves

Reflexive Pronouns A reflexive pronoun is formed by adding –self or –selves to a personal pronoun. Acts as an object. I addressed the envelope to myself.

Intensive Pronouns An intensive pronoun adds emphasis to a noun or another pronoun. Take the same form as reflexive pronouns. Dad told the story himself. (himself emphasizes Dad)

Reflexive vs. Intensive Pronouns If you’re not sure whether a pronoun is reflexive or intensive, use this test: 1.Read the sentence aloud, leaving out the pronoun. 2.Ask yourself whether the basic meaning of the sentence stayed the same. Stayed Same = Intensive Changed = Reflexive