Pronoun


Pronoun is a word used instead of a noun. It is generally used to avoid repetition of the noun.


For example:

  • Allan was absent because he was ill.
  • My parents arrived today because they didn't got seats in the plane yesterday.

  • In the above examples 'Allan' and 'parents' is noun and 'he' & 'they' is pronoun.

    Types of Pronouns

    Pronouns are of 9 types

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

    1. Personal Pronoun

    Personal pronouns are the pronouns used for persons. These persons are either the speaker or the addressee or the person spoken about. Personal pronouns are further divided into two types:

    a. Subject Pronouns
    I, you, he, she, it, we, they

    b. Object Pronouns
    me, you, him, her, it

  • I am going to the market.
  • You must work hard to pass in the tests.
  • He is the most brilliant boy of the class.
  • She proved to be the best cook.

  • 2. Reflexive Pronouns

    Reflexive pronouns are the pronouns that are used to indicate that the subject and the object of a sentence are the same. See the following examples:

    myself, ourselves, yourself, himself, herself, itself, themselves.

  • Barney was talking to himself.
  • I hurt myself during the football match.
  • She saw herself in the mirror.
  • Julia blamed herself for the mistake.
  • He ruined himself in betting games.

  • 3. Emphatic Pronouns

    Emphatic pronouns are the pronouns that are used to to lay emphasis on the subject of a sentence. Following examples will give you some idea about it:

    herself, himself, ourselves, themselves, myself, yourself, itself

  • She herself cooked the food for all of us.
  • He himself admitted his fault.
  • We ourselves saw the thief running away.
  • They themselves denied the inquiry report.
  • I wrote the story all by myself.
  • You yourself will be responsible for your loss.
  • He himself has gone to the market.
  • The village itself is not very large.
  • She served the guests herself.

  • 4. Demonstrative Pronouns

    Demonstrative pronouns are the pronouns that are used to point out the object to which we refer to. See the following examples for better understanding:

    This, that, these, those

  • This car is mine.
  • That is too big for you.
  • These documents should be kept at a safe place.
  • Those are better than these.

  • 5. Interrogative Pronouns

    Interrogative pronouns are the pronouns that are used for asking questions. See the following examples to clear your concept:

    what, who, whose, whom, which

  • What is the time by your watch?
  • Who are those people standing by the wall?
  • Whose book is this?
  • Whom do you want to see?
  • Which of these books have you read?

  • 6. Indefinite Pronouns

    Indefinite pronouns are the pronouns that are used to refer to persons or things in a general way, but do not refer to any person or thing in particular. Pay attention to the examples given below:

    one, nobody, some, somebody, everybody, anybody, others

  • One must take care of his health properly.
  • I am sure nobody will come in time.
  • Some are born rich others have to work hard.
  • All were injured in the accident.
  • Somebody has stolen my book.
  • Everybody is desirous of becoming rich.
  • Did you ask anybody to come?
  • Always do good to others.
  • I do not know any of them.

  • 7. Distributive Pronouns

    Distributive pronouns are the pronouns that refer to persons or things one at a time. See the examples given below:

    This, that, these, those

  • This car is mine.
  • That is too big for you.
  • These documents should be kept at a safe place.
  • Those are better than these.

  • 8. Relative Pronouns

    Relative pronouns are the pronouns that are used to relate (take us back) to some noun already mentioned in a sentence. Following examples will help you to understand it better:

    who, which, that, whom, whose

  • I met Joseph who is fond of painting.
  • I have found the book which I lost yesterday.
  • Do you know the lady that forgot her purse in the party?
  • The boy whom we met yesterday has died.
  • This is the store whose owner lives in California.

  • Note: A relative pronoun should be used after the noun to which it is related.

    The old man who was a doctor had a beautiful dog. (correct)
    The old man had a beautiful dog who was a doctor. (incorrect)

    The culprit who had committed the murder was punished. (correct)
    The culprit was punished who had committed the murder. (incorrect)

    9. Reciprocal Pronouns

    Reciprocal pronouns are the pronouns that are used to talk about mutual relationship. See the following examples:

  • When I asked for my money, the two brothers looked at each other.
  • Children love to play with one another.

  • Note:

    Each other is used in speaking of two persons or things;

    One another is used in speaking of more than two.

    I hope that this lesson has taught you enough about Pronoun and you are much wiser about the subject

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