Define Pronoun
A pronoun is a word that replaces a noun to avoid repeating it.
Examples:
- Rehan is a good boy. He gets up early in the morning. (He replaces "Rehan.")
- The team coach gave instructions. He wanted the players to follow them.(He replaces "the team coach"; them replaces "instructions.")
Types with Simple Definitions and Examples
Subject Pronouns
Subject pronouns are used as the subject of a verb in a sentence. They replace the subject (or sometimes the object) of a previous sentence to avoid repetition.
Examples:
- John can’t attend the party. He has gone to his grandparents. (Here, "he" replaces "Mike.")
- Maria is a good storyteller. She told a ghost story that scared everyone. (Here, "she" replaces "Marta.")
- Julie made some cakes. They look tasty. (Here, "they" replaces "cakes.")
Object Pronouns
Object pronouns replace the object in a sentence (the noun receiving the action) and are also used after prepositions.
Examples:
- I’ll give you a present on your birthday. (You is after the preposition "to.")
- Tell her that you’ll take the job. (Her replaces the person being told.)
- I have a gift for your boss. Give it to your boss. (It replaces "the gift.")
Possessive Pronouns
Possessive pronouns show ownership and replace possessive adjectives like my, your, our, their.
Examples:
- I thought my bag was lost, but the one Kesrick found was mine. (Mine replaces "my bag.")
- Their vacation starts next week. Ours starts tomorrow. (Ours replaces "our vacation.")
- Is this yours? (Yours replaces "your bag/car/item.")
Reflexive Pronouns
Reflexive pronouns show that the subject and object of the sentence are the same.
Examples:
- Since she is her own boss, she gave herself a raise. (Herself refers back to "she.")
- We told ourselves we were lucky to be alive. (Ourselves refers to "we.")
- The computer restarts itself every night. (Itself refers to "the computer.")
Intensive Pronouns
Intensive pronouns emphasize the subject but don’t act as objects.
Examples:
- I will do it myself.
- I myself saw the missing boat.
- You yourselves are responsible for this mess.
Relative Pronouns
Relative pronouns introduce a clause that describes more about a noun. Common relative pronouns are who, whom, whose, which, that.
Examples:
- The car that was stolen belonged to my neighbor.
- A person who loves nature is a kind soul.
- Our school, which was founded in 1995, is being renovated.
Demonstrative Pronouns
Demonstrative pronouns point to specific things. Common examples are this, that, these, those.
Examples:
- This is my favorite book.
- That is a long way to go.
- These are delicious cookies.
- Such are the ways of life.
Interrogative Pronouns
Interrogative pronouns are used to ask questions. Common examples are what, which, who, whom, whose.
Examples:
- What is your favorite color?
- Which is your favorite movie?
- Who works for you?
- Whose is the new bike on the lawn?
