Category: 2. Pronoun

Interrogative pronouns produce questions. They are what, which, who, whom, and whose. Who, whom, and whose refer to questions related to a person or animal; what refers to an idea, object, or event; and which can indicate either a person/s or a thing/s. Example: What was the name of your dog? Which is your favorite movie? Who works for you? Whom do you prefer…

Demonstrative pronouns normally indicate the closeness of or distance from the speaker, either literally or symbolically.  This, these, that, and those are the demonstrative pronouns. They also work as demonstrative adjectives when they modify a noun. However, demonstrative pronouns do not modify anything rather replace the nouns/noun phrases. Sometimes neither, none and such are also used as demonstrative pronouns. Example: That is a long way to go.…

Relative pronouns introduce the relative clause. They are used to make clear what is being talked about in a sentence. They describe something more about the subject or the object. The relative pronouns are: Subject Object Possession Uncertainty Which Which Whose Whichever That That   (for both things & people) Who Whom Whose Whoever/whom../whos.. Example: The…

Intensive pronouns add emphasis/importance but do not act as the object in the sentence. They can appear right after the subject. Example: I will do it myself. (Here, ‘myself’ is not an object) I myself saw the missing boat into the harbor. We intend to do all the work ourselves. You yourselves are responsible for this mess.

Reflexive pronoun redirects a sentence or a clause back to the subject, which is also the direct object of that sentence. A reflexive pronoun comes when the subject performs its action upon itself. Here, ‘itself’ is a reflexive pronoun. Example: Since she is her own boss, she gave herself a raise. (Here, ‘herself’ is the direct object of…

Possessive pronouns replace the nouns of the possessive adjectives: my, our, your, her, his, their. The possessive pronouns are mine, ours, yours, hers, his, its, theirs. The pronoun ‘who’ also has a possessive form, whose. Example: I thought my bag was lost, but the one Kesrick found was mine. (Here, ‘mine’ refers to ‘my bag’) Their vacation will start next week. Ours is…

Object pronouns work as the object or indirect object in a sentence replacing the antecedent object. This form of the pronoun is also used after prepositions. Example: I’ll give you a present on your birthday. I have a great idea for you. (after preposition) Tell her that you’ll take the job. I have a gift for your boss. Give it to your boss. (Here,…

Subject pronouns work as the subject of the verb in a sentence. A subject pronoun normally replaces the subject/object (a noun) of the previous sentence. Example: Mike can’t attend the party. He has gone to his grandparents. Marta is a good storyteller. She told a ghost story that scared everyone. Julie made some cakes. They look tasty. (Here, the subject pronoun replaced…

A pronoun is used in place of a specific noun mentioned earlier in a sentence so that you don’t have to keep saying/writing that particular noun. Example: Michael is a good boy. He gets up early in the morning. (Here, you don’t have to mention ‘Michael’ again) The coach selected several key points. He wanted the team to memorize them. (‘He’ replaces…