Parts of Speech: Pronouns
Take the Assessment First
For each question, choose the best answer. The answer key is below.
- 1. Which of the following is a pronoun?
- student
- her
- man
- cute
- 2. Which of the following is not a pronoun?
- our
- you
- which
- city
- 3. ___ looks stunning with her red gown.
- her
- hers
- he
- she
- 4. ___ bag is this?
- Who is
- Whom
- Whose
- Who's
- 5. Which of the following is a demonstrative pronoun?
- who
- those
- they
- we
Answer Key
- her
- city
- she
- Whose
- those
Interpreting Your Score
If you got between 0 and 1 correct answer: Review your lesson about pronouns and read this article.
If you got between 2 and 3 correct answers: Not bad but is better to review your lesson about pronouns and read this article.
If you got 4 correct answers: Good! Reading this article will make your score higher.
If you got 5 correct answers: Excellent! Share this article to your friends.
Definition of Pronouns
Pronouns are words that are used as substitutes for nouns or noun phrase. There are different kinds of pronouns.
Kinds of Pronouns
1. Personal Pronouns refer to the person speaking, person being spoken to, or person or thing spoken of. This is divided into three forms. The forms of personal pronouns are discussed below.
a. First Person refers to the speaker.
Example of Pronouns in First Person
Singular | Plural |
---|---|
I | we |
my | our |
mine | ours |
me | us |
Sentence examples for First Person
Singular :
▪ I am a singer.
▪ My table is clean.
Plural :
▪ We are singers.
▪ Our tables are clean.
b. Second Person refers to the person being spoken to.
Example of Pronouns in Second Person
Singular | Plural |
---|---|
you | you |
your | your |
yours | yours |
Sentence Examples for Second Person
Singular : You are eating pasta.
Plural : You are all eating pasta.
The sentence examples for singular form means only one person is eating pasta while the plural form means there are more than one person are eating pasta.
c. Third Person refers to the person or thing being spoken of.
Example of Pronouns in Third Person
Singular | Plural |
---|---|
he | they |
his | their |
him | theirs |
she | them |
her |
|
hers |
|
it |
|
its |
|
Sentence Example for Third Person
Singular : She is attending the meeting.
Plural : They are attending the meeting.
2. Compound Personal Pronouns
Some personal pronouns like my, her, him, your, them, our and it are added with self (singular) or selves (plural). These combined words are called compound personal pronouns. When using these compound personal pronouns, antecedents must be employed. An antecedent is a noun for which a pronoun stands.
3. Interrogative Pronouns
Interrogative pronouns introduce questions. What, which, who, whom, and whose are interrogative pronouns. Check the given examples for more information.
Sentence Examples for Interrogative Pronouns
Here are some sentence examples.
▪ What is your favorite movie?
▪ Which font style do you prefer to apply?
▪ Who is your father?
▪ Whom shall say is calling?
▪ Whose book is this?
4. Demonstrative Pronouns
Demonstrative pronouns point out a specific person, place, or thing. This, that, these, and those are demonstrative pronouns. This (singular) and these (plural) refer to person or thing being pointed out nearby or just mentioned. On the hand, that (singular) and those (plural) refer to person or thing in far distance or not present.
Sentence Examples for Demonstrative Pronouns
▪ This is my computer.
▪ That is my computer.
▪ These are my phones.
▪ Those are my phones.
5. Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns refer to non-specific person, place, or thing.
Example of Indefinite Pronouns According to Type
Type | Example |
---|---|
Person | anybody, anyone, everybody, everyone, |
| someone,everyone, no one |
| nobody, somebody, |
| each, either |
Place | each, other, neither, either |
Thing | each, other, neither, either |
Example of Indefinite Pronouns According to Number
Singular | Plural | Singular/Pronoun |
---|---|---|
another | both | all |
anybody | few | any |
each | many | most |
no one | others | none |
neither | several | some |
6. Relative Pronouns
Relative pronouns connect groups of words to another idea in a particular sentence. The relative pronouns are that, which, who, whom, and whose. Read the given examples hereunder.
Sentence Examples for Relative Pronouns
▪ The doctor whom Sheila admires is from Canada.
▪ Diether gave me the perfume that I wanted to buy for my birthday.
▪ The police caught the gangs who recruited children to sell drugs.
7. Possessive Pronouns
Possessive pronouns are pronouns that show ownership. The common possessive pronouns are my, mine, your, yours, his, hers, its, ours, theirs and whose. To understand more about possessive pronouns, the sentence examples are provided below.
Sentence Examples for Possessive Pronouns
▪ This is my phone.
The pronoun my indicates ownership of the phone.
▪ This phone is yours.
The pronoun yours indicates ownership of the phone.
Using an apostrophe to the above said pronouns do not indicate possession.
▪ It’s a meaningful song.
“It’s” does not show ownership. It is a contraction of the words “it” and “is”.
For some pronouns, an apostrophe and s are used to display ownership. The indefinite pronouns like anyone, everybody, someone and many more are added with an apostrophe and s in the end to show ownership.
Example of Possessive Indefinite Pronouns
another’s spoon | someone’s notebook |
anyone’s book | no one’s hope |
everybody’s house | everyone’s journey |
nobody’s choice | others’ wives |
8. Gender Pronouns
Gender pronouns are pronouns that refer to gender. There are four gender pronouns in grammar. These are masculine, feminine, common and neuter genders.
Example of Gender Pronouns
Masculine | Feminine | Common | Neuter |
---|---|---|---|
he | she | doctor | table |
him | her | cashier | pen |
brother | sister | sibling | glass |
9. Number Pronouns
Number pronouns are regarded as singular or plural depending on their use. When the pronouns all, any, some, and none refer to a number, they are regarded as plural. When they refer to quantity or a mass, they are regarded as singular.
Sentence Examples for Number Pronouns
Singular Form:
▪ There is no spare paper in the supply office. All of it has been used already.
Plural Form:
▪ All members are marching.
10. Compound Antecedent Pronouns
Compound antecedent pronouns can be singular or plural. If both antecedents are singular and refer to different persons or things, the compound antecedent is regarded as plural. Same rule applies when one of the antecedents is plural. Therefore, the pronoun that refers to the compound antecedents must be plural as well.
On the other hand, if both antecedents are singular and refer to the same person, place or thing, the compound antecedent is regarded as singular. A singular pronoun must also be used.
Sentence Examples for Compound Antecedent Pronouns
Singular Sentence:
▪ Toni and Alex will have their concert next year.
▪ Toni, Alex and the Maroon 5 members will have their concert next year.
Plural Sentence:
▪ The manager and owner of the restaurant gave 30% discount for his dine-in costumers yesterday.
▪ The science teacher and subject coordinator refuses her friend for a lunch date.
11. Pronouns for Collective Nouns
Pronouns for collective nouns can also be singular or plural in form. Singular pronouns are used when the members of the collective noun are acting as unit or as one. On the other hand, plural pronouns are used when the members of the group are acting independently. Read the examples below.
Singular Sentence Example:
▪ The class performed its dance number.
Plural Sentence Example:
▪ The class performed their respective dance number.
Check your Understanding about Pronouns
more Like This
- The English Language: Using Pronouns Efficiently
Pronouns make the day simpler for every writer and speaker. A pronoun is a special noun which takes an assumed meaning based on the placement in the paragraph. Without pronouns, sentences could look something like this: Bob owns a car. Bob washes Bob - Spanish Lesson Eighteen: Direct Object Pronouns
Spanish Lesson Eighteen: Direct Object Pronouns. Take a look!! :) - Grammatical Functions Of Pronouns
In this article we answer the question - How to Properly Use Generic Pronouns
English grammar is a tricky thing, even for native speakers. The use of pronouns is no exception. It's essential to know how to use pronouns correctly when writing and speaking. - When to Use Subject and Object Pronouns in a Sentenc...
Need some practice with subject and object pronouns? Is - Types of Pronouns
Learn more about what pronouns are and the various types of pronouns that we have in the English language. - Spanish Lesson Nineteen: Indirect Object Pronouns
Spanish Lesson Nineteen: Indirect Object Pronouns. Take a look... - Spanish Lesson Eighty-Three: Double Object Pronouns
Spanish Lesson Eighty-Three: Double Object Pronouns. Learn how to effectively use Double Object Pronouns in the Spanish language.
Education Related Hubs by Sweetpikez
- Sentences
This article discusses the meaning, parts and kinds of sentences. - How to Introduce a Scientist or an Inventor (A Sampl...
High grade for class presentation is not obtained from merely presenting facts about the subject. It requires creativity and other attributes to meet the aspired score. This article provides a sample script to introduce a scientist or inventor for cl - Technology-Mediated Lesson Plans in Teaching Motion
Studies reveal that science is one of the most difficult subjects. This perception has evolved from the manner of teaching and personality of the mentor. To address this, educators need to adjust their teaching mode, tools and strategies. They need t - Teacher's Profession, Personal Relationship and Reti...
Teaching is one of the most challenging jobs. It requires a lot of talent, vast knowledge and noble attitudes. This is the most influential profession that shapes every professional we have today. - Strategic Intervention Material (SIM)
In reality, some learning areas in science get low to very low performance rating. Creating a Strategic Intervention Material (SIM) helps pupils to achieve the learning objectives and increase their performance. SIM for a particular topic is effectiv
© 2014 Pinky de Garcia
Share your thoughts about this hub.
Pinky de Garcia (author) on November 13, 2014:
Hello, Frank!
Thanks for visiting my hub and leaving a comment of appreciation.
Best regards.
Frank Atanacio from Shelton on November 12, 2014:
academically useful hub.. good share my friend
Pinky de Garcia (author) on November 11, 2014:
Hi, kim!
I agree with you. Adults like us tend to forget the basic. Thanks for the comment.
Best regards.
Pinky de Garcia (author) on November 11, 2014:
Thanks online4!
ocfireflies on November 11, 2014:
For whom was this created? Smiles. I know lots of folks who could use a pronoun review- myself included. Great Job!
Kim