What is a Pronoun?

Definition of Pronoun:

A pronoun is a word that replaces a noun (single word) or replaces anything functioning as a noun (noun clause , noun phrase). Pronouns do the same job of nouns in the sentence.

I have a car. It is white. It is 2021 model.

(We used "it" in the second and third sentence to avoid repeating the noun "car".)

My daughter's cat's name is "Candy". She is white and she keeps playing all day long.

(We used "she" to replace "My daughter's cat".)

What are Antecedents of Pronouns?

She likes blue color more than red . --> Who is She?

What if we did not mention the noun first? If we started with the pronoun, we will not know what does this pronoun refer to, right? Most of the time, yes, that's why we need to start with nouns and we call them Antecedents. Sometimes we don't need to start with nouns (if you start by "I", then people will know that you're talking about yourself.

"Hedgehogs" is the Antecedent noun.

When Sally went to the countryside, she loved the vegetables and the weather there.

In the example, "Sally" is the antecedent of "she", and "the countryside" is the antecedent of "there". So, wherever there's a pronoun, there's an antecedent (the thing being replaced).

Types of Pronouns

1- Personal Pronouns:

Represent people or things. Personal pronouns come in two forms:

A. Subjective Pronouns:

They replace subject nouns

I , you , he , she , it, we , you, they

Keating said she plans to survey parents about how the donation should be spent.
The soccer player was angry and he shouted to the referee.

B. Objective Pronouns:

They replace Object nouns

me, you , him , her , it , us , you , them

.Get the facts first, then distort them.
I called my sister and asked her not to be late.

2- Possessive Pronouns:

They show possession

mine , yours, his, hers, its, ours, yours, theirs

Whose pen is this? It is mine.
Is this Jacket yours?
The keys on the table are his
The idea is hers.
The responsibility is ours.

📍Note that "my, your, his, her, its, our, their" are possessive ADJECTIVES as they don't stand alone.

3- Reflexive Pronouns:

They are used when the subject and object of a verb are the same. When people do things to themselves not to other people.

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

My mobile phone isn't working properly. It turns itself off for no reason.
I cut myself when I was cooking last night.
You need to believe in yourself.

4- Intensive Pronouns:

Also known as emphatic pronouns. They refer back to other nouns or pronouns to emphasize them.

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

I have met the president himself on the national day.

👉 Note that they are the same words used as Reflexive Pronouns, so don't get confused.

5- Indefinite Pronouns:

They refer to persons/things without being specific.

each, such, that, this, these, those, somebody, everybody, nobody, , few, something, anything, nothing, everything, each one, either, neither, no one, anyone, someone, several, many, ...

All of the water has spelled.
Some of us don't like to read.
None of the students did the homework.
I have eaten everything in the fridge.
Anything you say will be used against you.
She needs to find something to eat.
Everybody like children, but few like to have them.
None of your words are carefully chosen.
None of your advice is helpful.

6- Demonstrative Pronouns:

They refer to a noun by expressing it's position as near or far regarding places and time. They differ also from singular to plural. We use demonstrative pronouns to reply to something someone has said.

this, that, these, those

Singular, Near: this

What is this book that you are reading?

Singular, Far: that

I remember that day when we first met. (that can refer to a time frame)

Plural, Near: these

Can you keep an eye on these kids please? (Kids are on site and near the speaker)

Plural, Far: Those

Those starts are so bright tonight.

This is a good lesson..
Shall we go to the movies? Yes, that is a good idea. (we can use "such". such a good idea)
I like this city. I have been living here since I was a little kid. (singular, near).
Is that yours? or, Is this yours? based on how near or far the thing is located.
I will eat these tonight.
These are my principles and you have to respect them.
Those animals are running like the wind.

👉 Demonstrative pronouns replace nouns or noun phrases.

👉 Same words are used as "demonstrative adjectives/determiners" when they modify/come before nouns or pronouns.

This apple is so tasty.
These tools are delicate.
That lady look worried.
This plate is hot.
Is that pen yours?
This idea is so classic.

Bottom line/Summary:

** Demonstrative pronouns are followed by verb to be

** If a pronoun is followed by a noun/another pronoun, then it's called demonstrative adjective or demonstrative determiner. Normally, adjectives come before nouns.

7- Interrogative Pronouns (?) :

Interrogative Pronouns

They are used to ask questions.

who: with people. Used as the subject of a verb

whom: with people. Used as the object of a verb/pronoun

whose: with people and things. possessions, ownership, or a relationship

what: with things and abstracts

which: animals and things. Used to ask about choices or possibilities.

Who took my towel?
Who will win the champions league this year?
Whom did you give the key to?
Whom did the police suspect for the crime?
Whom shall we ask?
Which is yours?
Which is worse, failing or never trying?
Do you know what this is?

Same scenario between demonstrative pronouns and demonstrative determiners happens here too.

👉 Interrogative pronouns are followed by verbs.

If the Interrogative pronoun is followed by a noun/pronoun, then it is an Interrogative determiner.

Here are examples of interrogative determiners:

What food are they eating in china? Interrogative determiner
What are they eating in China? Interrogative pronoun
Which plan are you following?
Which route is the best?
Whose one shall we take?

8- Relative Pronouns:
Relative Pronouns

Relative Pronouns - as the word relative of relation - are words that join tow sentences.

that, who, whoever, whom, whomever, whose, what, when, where, which, whichever, whatever

"whom" is rarely used in American English.

The pencil that you are looking for is under the chair.

The athlete who won the champion has trained so hard.

Whoever he is, I do not want to see him.

Whoever has drunk the milk will buy another bottle.

Al the people whom you trusted have left you.

He is free to marry whomever he chooses.

This is our neighbor whose car is BMW.

Most managers know what employees think about them.

Please give me a call when you are close to any supermarket.

This is the house where i spent most of my life.

Cars, which we use daily, are one big source of pollution.

The teacher only select the students whom she believed the most talented for the role.

You can drive Whichever of the cars you want.

Whichever road you take to Cairo, you will need to drive carefully.

Whatever you say, will be taken against you in the court.

9- Reciprocal Pronouns:

We use Reciprocal Pronouns when two or more people are doing the same things, or doing things in common. They express a mutual friendship.

each other (2 persons) , one another (mostly more than 2 persons)

Romeo and Juliet loved each other.

The two coaches spoke to each other about the next game.

We all just need to love one another.

The students congratulated one another in the graduation ceremony.

Parts of Speech - Pronouns

What is a Pronoun?