What Is A Pronoun? Definition, Types & Examples
Table of Contents
ToggleWhat is a Pronoun? How Are Pronouns Used in Sentences?
A pronoun is a word used in place of a noun. Its basic function is to avoid repetition in a sentence. For example, instead of writing, “Shyla went to Shyla’s room because Shyla forgot Shyla’s keys,” we use pronouns: “Shyla went to her room because she forgot her keys.” Pronouns help us point out ideas, objects, and people without repeating their names. What is a pronoun? A pronoun is an integral part of grammar, improving readability by adding clarity to your writing.
Types of Pronouns
Pronoun belongs to the part of speech. Pronouns are classified into many types based on their function and usage. Let’s have a look at these types and examples.
Personal Pronouns
Personal pronouns specify people or things. Pronouns are classified by person, gender, and number.
First Person: Addresses the speaker(s) such as I, we, me, us.
Examples:
I am going to school.
We love playing video games.
Teach me.
Study with us.
Second Person: Refers to the addressed person(s) such as you.
Examples: You should finish what you started.
Third Person: Addresses others (people, things, objects) such as he, she, him, her, it, they, them.
Examples:
He is a great cricketer.
She loves reading.
Play with him.
Read with her.
It is bad.
They are planning a trip.
Contact them.
Possessive Pronouns
What is a possessive pronoun? Possessive Pronouns are pronouns that refer to possession or ownership. They replace nouns to show that something belongs to something or someone. Such as his, hers, ours, theirs, mine, yours, its.
Examples:
This book is his.
That cat is hers.
The new house is ours.
The ball is theirs.
The money is mine.
The paper is yours.
Its leg is fine now.
Reflexive Pronouns
We use reflexive pronouns the object and the subject of a sentence are the same. They complete with “self” or “selves.” Such as himself, herself, myself, yourself, yourselves, itself, ourselves, and themselves.
Examples:
He taught himself to code.
She hates herself.
I am not sure myself.
Behave yourself.
Raise the dogs yourselves.
The animal plays with itself.
It is difficult for ourselves.
They prepared themselves for the match.
Demonstrative Pronuons
Demonstrative pronouns refer to specific people or things. They hint at something that is either already understood from the context or has already been mentioned. Such as this, that, these, those.
Examples:
This is a beautiful scenery.
That is a dirty place.
These apples are tasty.
Those subjects are difficult.
Interrogative Pronouns
We use interrogative pronouns to ask questions. These pronouns are used in the place of a noun about which the question is being asked. Such as which, what, whose, whom, who.
Examples:
Who rang the bell?
Which is your favorite book?
What is that thing?
Whose phone is this?
Relative Pronouns
What is a relative pronoun? Relative pronouns align phrases or clauses with a noun or pronoun. They add more information about the noun and introduce relative clauses. Such as which, that, who, whom, whose.
The girl who got the first position is my friend.
This is the work that we discussed.
Which skill do you have?
Whose number is this?
I have no idea whom I will go with.
Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns are used for nonspecific people or things. They are used when the identity of a noun is unimportant or unknown. Such as several, some, all, many, few, nothing, nobody, someone, everyone, anyone.
Examples:
Did anyone fail?
Is everyone present?
Is there someone who can tell me?
The result is nothing.
Nobody should die young.
Few of us are left.
Many of us were here.
All of us visited the museum.
You have several issues.
We have some solutions.
Reciprocal Pronouns
Reciprocal pronouns refer to the mutual relationship or action between two or more groups or people. Such as one another or each other.
Examples:
We will meet each other after the class.
Our support will be for one another.
Distributive Pronouns
Distributive pronouns are for people within a group, only one at a time. They need singular vibes as they are always singular. Such as neither, either, each.
Examples:
Neither of the people is suitable.
Either of you is responsible.
Each of the players received the rewards.
Intensive Pronouns
Intensive pronouns function like reflexive pronouns but are used to focus on the subject of the sentence. Such as himself, herself, myself, yourself, yourselves, itself, ourselves, and themselves.
Examples:
He himself made the decision.
You yourself should complete this.
I myself will finish the project.
These are the main types of pronouns with examples. Perfecting pronouns in English makes your writing convincing to the reader. They may seem a small set of words but their impact in the languages that are used in writing is far bigger than imaginable. Pronouns are almost always substitutes for nouns or noun phrases and whose referents are previously mentioned.
Understanding of Pronouns: How Pronouns Can Be Used in English Grammar?
To have a precise understanding of pronouns is one thing; to use them effectively is the real charm. These are some helpful tips:
Bring Clarity: Do not use ambiguous words. After all, pronouns are words used for specification.
Match the Antecedent: Pronouns must not disagree with their antecedents in person, gender, or number.
Avoid Repetition: Do not use a pronoun and its antecedent together unless it is highly important.
Why Are Pronouns Necessary in a Sentence or Clause?
What is a pronoun? Pronouns are proper nouns or nouns that hint at or refer back to the subjects and objects. Whether it is any object of a verb or anything else; pronouns specify and refer to the person, group, and object. Here is why they are significant:
- Simplified Communication
- Flow Maintenance of Sentences
- Identity Reflection
There are many examples of well-implemented parts of speech like nouns singular pronouns or plural pronouns; use the aforementioned advice and write well.
Conclusion
Now you know what is pronoun, what is a relative pronoun, what is a personal pronoun, what are a pronoun example, examples of relative pronouns, and everything else regarding pronouns. Whether they are subject pronouns, object pronouns, a noun or noun phrases, adjectives, verbs, or prepositions; this blog has given you some understanding of how these parts of speech take the place in writing. Simply put, a pronoun is a word that is used instead of a noun that has already been mentioned. Many pronouns refer to people and things.
FAQs
What is a pronoun and what are its examples?
Pronouns are used to refer to a person, group, or object. Its purpose is specification to avoid repetition. It refers to either singular or plural (or singular and plural) persons, groups or objects.
What is a pronoun definition for kids?
A pronoun replaces a noun. A pronoun is used instead of a noun. They are short words like I, you, we, us, they, them, he, she, and it. We use pronouns every day,
What is a proper pronoun?
A proper pronoun is a specification of a noun in a sentence. Proper pronouns include Muhammad Ali, New York City, and Hamlet.
How to use pronouns?
Pronouns can function in many ways. They can refer to things in saying or writing. They often show a relationship between two sentences or more members of a group, object, or people. Now you should know what is pronoun.