Pronouns

The purpose of a Pronoun is identical to that of a noun, it is designed to act as a noun, such as he, she, you, me, I, we, us, this, them, or that. It’s up to us whether we use pronouns as a subject, direct object, or indirect object. We can use pronouns instead of a person’s name, place, animal or thing. In this article, we will be learning about Pronouns, their meaning and their different types. 

What is a Pronoun? 

Let’s understand what is a Pronoun: 

Basically, a pronoun is a word that can replace a noun or a noun phrase. 

Types of Pronouns

Let’s understand the different types of pronouns. 

Possessive Pronoun: Definition

A possessive pronoun is the type of pronoun which depicts ownership and possession. A possessive pronoun is also known as an absolute pronoun. 

Possessive determiners: mine, hers, theirs, his. 

Example:

• My room is your room.
• She takes care of her sister really well.
• This house is mine. Where do you live?

• This is his t-shirt.

Indefinite Pronoun: Definition

They never point to a particular noun. When an object need not be identified or specified, we use it. Indefinite pronouns act as both singular and plural. 

Singular Indefinite Pronoun

Anybody, anyone, everybody, everyone, little most, somebody, someone

Example:

• Does anybody know what’s going on in class?
• Why does everybody seem so serious?

Plural indefinite Pronouns

Both, few, a few, many

Example: 

• Are we both friends now?
• Why are there so few students in the class?

Singular and plural indefinite Pronoun: (any more, most, some)

Example:

• Why are you busy most of the time?
• At any cost, I want this project.

Relative Pronoun: Definition

It connects a noun or a pronoun. These pronouns are used to connect two independent clauses. It is primarily used to build a meaningful sentence from two different sentences. 

Relative Pronoun: whom, who, which, or that. 

 Example:

• He, who was our headmaster, is standing next to Mr. Sharma.
• The book which Ravi gifted me is interesting.

Indefinite Pronoun: Anybody, someone, everyone, etc. 

Example:

• Anyone can ask him to reply to my call.
• Someone, please send me the work from school. 

Interrogative Pronoun: Definition

It can be said that they are the same as relative pronouns, but they ask a question. 

Interrogative Pronoun: (whom, who, whose, when, whatever, whosoever. 

Example:

• Whose name are you taking for promotion?
• What is the name of the stream you have chosen?

• Whatever you do. Do it great.
• Whosoever is there, please come out.

Reflexive Pronoun: Definition

This Pronoun replaces the object of the sentence when the object and sentence both consist of the same person. They usually follow verbs in the sentence.

Singular Reflexive Pronoun: 

Himself, itself, myself, herself, yourself. 

Example:

• I myself am responsible for this mistake, mam.
• Does he really talk to himself?

Plural Reflexive Pronoun:

Yourself, ourselves, themselves

Example: 

• Keep yourself busy a little bit.
• Why not they themselves take the whole responsibility.

Intensive Pronoun: Definition

The task of the intensive Pronoun is to emphasise nouns or pronouns. Intensive pronouns are similar to reflexive pronouns but do not acquire the same importance in the sentence as reflexive pronouns. Intensive pronouns are generally written just after the nouns or pronouns.

Intensive Pronoun:

Ourselves, itself, herself, myself, yourself, themselves

Example:

• They themselves are responsible for this.
• Nothing, I am just keeping myself a little bit busy.

• You yourselves have to pay for your needs.
• Why do we ourselves always have to study on our own?

Demonstrative Pronoun: Definition

This Pronoun takes the position of that noun that is already mentioned in the sentence. It can be singular, or it can be plural. 

Singular Demonstrative Pronoun: Neither, such, this, that or none 

Example:

• Neither of you is responsible for me.
• This is what everyone expects from you.

Plural demonstrative Pronoun:

these, those

Example:

• These are your keys.
• Who are those people?

Reciprocal Pronoun: Definition

It shows when two or more two pronouns work together. It is used when someone is performing a specific action, and another one is receiving the same action. 

Example: 

Reciprocal Pronoun for the two nouns: (each other)

Example:

• They are happy with each other.
• They really care for each other.

Reciprocal Pronoun: Definition

It is used for three or more nouns. These are: one other, each other 

Example:

• They fought with one another again.
• Respect one another in class.

Conclusion

Pronouns are an essential part of speech in the English language. They are used in place of nouns to denote a place, thing, idea or a person. There are different types of pronouns. Each of them has a different function in the English language. One must be careful in implementing correct pronouns in their daily conversations and official write-ups.