Grammar Guide for Pronouns
Pronouns are short words which can do everything a noun does. A pronoun can act as a subject, direct object, indirect object, object of the preposition, and more. They can substitute for any noun. Using pronouns helps the flow of sentences and makes them more interesting. They provide context, clarify meaning, and shape how we perceive people and things. Without pronouns, we would constantly be repeating nouns, and that would make our speech and writing repetitive.
PRONOUN: a word used as a substitute for a noun or to refer to a noun, their antecedent.
Types of Pronouns
1. Personal Pronoun: refers to a specific person or thing. Personal pronouns have number, gender, and case.
Note: When teaching personal pronouns keep in mind that some languages have masculine, feminine, and neuter forms for each person, singular and plural. Whereas other languages have only one form for third person singular without a gender.
A. Subject Pronoun: always functions as a subject. (I, you, he, she, it, we, they) For specific details, see the table below.- I am eating.
- He is watching a video.
- They are playing.
Personal Pronouns Classroom Poster Chart
Using ‘they’ and ‘them’ as a neutral singular 3rd person pronoun has become very popular. This is not new. In fact, usage dates to the 1300s. He, she and it became correct grammar sometime in the 1800s. (The Associated Press, American Psychological Association, Modern Language Association, Oxford English Dictionary, and Merriam-Webster Dictionary recognize the usage of singular ‘they’ and ‘them’.) There are several reasons for using singular they and them.
- Reduce wordiness
- A student should have his or her homework finished.
- A student should have their homework finished.
- Unknown Gender
- Someone left his or her coat here.
- Someone left their coat here.
- Gender Inclusive for people who do not identify as male or female
- Direct object: I called her yesterday.
- Indirect Object: We gave him a present.
- Object of Preposition: She wrote a report about them.
- The blue coat is mine.
- The green house is theirs.
- The backpack on the floor is hers.
Possessive Pronoun Classroom Poster
D. Possessive Adjective: These are often confused with possessive pronouns because they show possession. However, a possessive adjective never stands alone. They are always before a noun. Compare with the section above. (my, your, his, her, its, our, their)- That one is my coat.
- The green one is their house.
- Her backpack is on the floor.
- I made it by myself.
- He chose the shirt by himself.
- Don't blame yourself.
|
SUBJECT |
OBJECT |
POSS. |
REFLEX. |
1st Sing. |
I |
me |
mine |
myself |
2nd Sing |
you |
you |
your |
yourself |
3rd Sing
|
he she it they |
him her it they |
his hers its theirs |
himself herself itself themself |
1st Plural |
we |
us |
ours |
ourselves |
2nd Plural |
you |
you |
yours |
yourselves |
3rd Plural |
they |
them |
theirs |
themselves |
2. Demonstrative Pronoun: a pronoun used to identify or point to a noun. ‘This / that’ refers to a single object. ‘These / those’ refers to plural objects. ‘This / these’ refers to close object/s, whereas ‘that / those’ refers to object/s that are distant.
- This table is new. (close, singular)
- That table is old. (distant, singular)
- These socks are clean. (close, plural)
- Those socks are dirty. (distant, plural)
- Singular
- everything, something, anything, nothing
- everyone, someone, anyone, no one
- everybody, somebody, anybody, nobody
- everywhere, somewhere, anywhere, nowhere
- each, one, other, either, neither, enough, much, less
- Plural: many, several, few, fewer, both, others
- Either: all, most, more, some, little, such, any, none
Indefinite Pronoun Classroom Chart (Coming soon)
A. Indefinite Quantities: act as adjectives when placed before a noun. (all, another, any, both, each, either, few, least, less, little, a lot of, lots of, many, more, most, much, neither, one, other/s, plenty of, several, some)- We played all day.
- Are there any cards?
- We have some carrots.
- What is the time? What is that? (things)
- Who is here? Who are you talking with? (people)
- Which one is best? Which will be more appropriate? (choice)
- These books belong to whom? (objects)
- Whose is this? (possession)
- They worked with each other well. (two people)
- Talk to one another and choose a topic. (3 or more people)
- Who is playing the piano?
- Whom do you want?
- Person-Subject: She is the one who won the race.
- Person-Object: I paid the man whom I had hired.
- Person-Possessive: This is the girl whose picture you saw.
- Thing: The car that won the race is number 63.
- Thing: Here is a book which describes the planets.
Pronoun Usage
1. A pronoun must agree in number with the noun.- Incorrect: John picked up our backpack. (John is singular)
- Correct: John picked up his backpack.
- Preceded by each or every
- Every book and magazine has its place in the library.
- Each apple and orange has its special nutrients.
- Joined by or
- Neither Li or Yan has finished his assignment.
- Collective Nouns
- The group presented its report.
- Indefinite Pronoun with Noncount Noun
- Some of the salt fell out of its shaker. (Salt is noncount)
- Singular Indefinite Pronoun
- Each of the children has his or her own desk.
- Unknown Gender
- Has Min or Akmah written their letter? (singular their)
- Plural / Single Joined by Or
- Neither her parents or Glenna can lend us her car.
- Compound Subject Joined by And
- Tom and Bea walked to their school.
- Indefinite Pronoun with Count Noun
- All of the marbles fell out of their bag. (marbles is a count noun)
- Single / Plural Joined by Or/Nor
- Neither Glenna nor her parents can lend us their car.
- Incorrect: A teacher should have your lesson prepared. (Third person, not second person)
- Correct: A teacher should have his or her lesson prepared.
- Correct: A teacher should have their lesson prepared.
- Incorrect: Jane took his dog for a walk.
- Correct: Jane took her dog for a walk.
- Incorrect: Him came to school. (object)
- Correct: He came to school. (subject)