PRONOUN EXPLANATION
I.
Explanation
In
grammar, a pronoun is defined as a word or phrase that may be substituted for
a noun or
noun phrase, which once replaced, is known as the pronoun’s antecedent. How is
this possible? In a nutshell, it’s because pronouns can do everything that
nouns can do. A pronoun can act as a subject, direct object, indirect object,
object of the preposition, and
more.
Without pronouns, we’d have to keep on repeating nouns,
and that would make our speech and writing repetitive, not to mention
cumbersome. Most pronouns are very short words. Examples include: He, She, They, It, We, Who.
As mentioned, pronouns are usually used to replace nouns,
however they can also stand in for certain adverbs, adjectives, and other pronouns. Anytime you want to talk about a
person, animal, place or thing, you can use pronouns to make your speech or
writing flow better.
II.
Types of Pronouns
Pronouns can be divided into numerous categories
including:
those referring to one or more unspecified objects,
beings, or places.
those associated with a certain person, thing, or group;
all except you have distinct forms that indicate singular or plural number.
those preceded by the adverb, adjective, pronoun, or noun
to which they refer, and ending in –self or –selves.
those used to point to something specific within a
sentence.
those designating possession or ownership.
those which refer to nouns mentioned previously, acting
to introduce an adjective (relative) clause.
those which introduce a question.
those expressing mutual actions or relationship; i.e. one
another.
those ending in –self or –selves and
that serve to emphasize their antecedents.
III.
Pronoun Rules
There are a few important rules for using pronouns. As
you read through these rules and the examples in the next section, notice how
the pronoun rules are followed. Soon you’ll see that pronouns are easy to work
with.
-
Subject pronouns may be used to begin
sentences.
For example: We did a great job.
-
Subject pronouns may also be used to
rename the subject.
For example: It was she who decided we should go to
Hawaii.
-
Indefinite pronouns don’t have
antecedents. They are capable of standing on their own.
For example: No one likes the sound of fingernails on a
chalkboard.
-
Object pronouns are used as direct
objects, indirect objects, and objects of prepositions. These include: you, me,
him, her, us, them, and it.
For example: David talked to her about the mistake.
For example: The cat washed its whiskers.
IV.
Examples of Pronouns
In the following examples, the pronouns are underlined.
a.
We are going on vacation.
b.
Don’t tell me that you can’t
go with us.
c.
Anybody who says it won’t be
fun has no clue what they are talking about.
d.
These are terribly steep stairs.
e.
We ran into each other at the mall.
f.
I’m not sure which is
worse: rain or snow.
g.
It is one of the nicest Italian
restaurants in town.
h.
Richard stared at himself in
the mirror.
i.
The laundry isn’t going to do itself.
Someone spilled
orange juice all over the countertop!
