PRONOUNS

Pronouns A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun or a group of words acting as a noun. Example: Aunt Jenny was late because she had waited for her computer technician. Example: Many people say exercise has helped them. Example: Students must take a science class. They can choose biology or ecology. Example: Trying to make the team is hard work. It takes hours of practice every day.

Antecedents The word or group of words that a pronoun replaces or refers to is call an antecedent. Example: The firefighters described how they did their jobs. Example: Although he was known as an expert software developer, Darryl enjoyed selling computers.

Recognizing Personal Pronouns Personal Pronouns refer to: The person speaking or writing. The person listening or reading. The topic (person, place, thing, or idea) being discussed or written about.

First Person Pronouns First Person Pronouns refer to the person speaking or writing: Example: I like the new design. Example: Please give us an example. I Me My Mine We Us Our Ours

Second Person Pronouns Second Person Pronouns refer to the person spoken or written to: Example: You will see the photo. Example: Your friend is at the door. You Your Yours

Third Person Pronouns Third Person Pronouns refer to the person, place, thing, or idea being spoken or written about: Example: He wants to listen to the radio show. Example: They wrote letters to the editor. He Him His She Her Hers It Its They Them Their theirs

Personal Pronouns Personal Pronouns Singular Plural First Person I, me, my, mine We, us, our, ours Second Person You, your, yours Third Person He, him, his, she, her, hers, it, its They, them, their, theirs

Reflexive Pronouns The ending –self or –selves can be added to some pronouns to form reflexive pronouns. A reflexive pronoun directs the action of the verb toward its subject. Reflexive pronouns point back to a noun or pronoun earlier in the sentence. A reflexive pronoun is essential to the meaning of a sentence. Example: Joy helped herself to some turkey. Example: They poured themselves some milk.

Intensive Pronouns The ending –self or –selves can be added to some pronouns to form intensive pronouns. An intensive pronoun simply adds emphasis to a noun or pronoun in the same sentence. Intensive pronouns are NOT essential to the meaning of a sentence. Example: The mayor herself attended the carnival.

Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns Singular Plural First Person Myself Ourselves Second Person Yourself Yourselves Third Person Himself, herself, itself themselves

Demonstrative Pronouns A demonstrative pronoun points to a specific person, place or thing. There are two singular and two plural demonstrative pronouns. Demonstrative Pronouns Singular Plural This That These Those

Demonstrative Pronouns This and these point to what is near the speaker or writer. Example: This is the desk where I sit. Example: These are my favorite books. That and those point to what is more distant. Example: Is that the cafeteria down the hall? Example: Those are my sandwiches.

Relative Pronouns Relative pronouns are connecting words. A relative pronoun begins a subordinate clause and connects it to another idea in the same sentence. There are five main relative pronouns. Relative Pronouns That Which Who Whom whose

Interrogative Pronouns An interrogative pronoun is used to begin a question. Example: What did the doctor say? Example: Which is the best treatment? Example: Who wants to go with me? Example: From whom will you receive the best advice? Example: Whose is this painting? Interrogative Pronouns What Which Who Whom Whose

Indefinite Pronouns An indefinite pronoun refers to a person, place, thing, or idea that is NOT specifically named. Example: Everything is ready for the field trip. Example: Everyone wants to see the medical center. Example: Anyone can learn to play tennis. Example: Something fell out of the cabinet when I opened it.

Indefinite Pronouns Indefinite Pronouns Singular Plural Another Much Both All Anybody Neither Few Any Anyone Nobody Many More Anything No one Others Most Each Nothing Several None Either One   Some Everybody Other Everyone Somebody Everything Someone Little Something