Pronouns

Personal PronounsA pronoun is a word that takes the

place of one or more nouns.

The most frequently used pronouns are called personal pronouns. They refer to people or things.

Subject Pronouns

A subject pronoun is used as the

subject of a sentence.She is my best friend.

It is my dog.

Does he know the answer?

You and I will meet later.

Object Pronouns

An object pronoun is used as thedirect/indirect object or the object

of a preposition.Give the book to me. (OP)

The teacher gave her a reprimand. (IO)I will tell you a story. (IO)

Susan read it to them. (DO, OP)

List of Personal Pronouns

Singular PluralI we

you you

he, she, it they

Subject Pronouns

me us

you you

him, her, it them

Object Pronouns

PRONOUNS AND ANTECEDENTS

Read the following sentences. Can you tell to whom the word She refers?

Arachne competes with Athena. She weaves skillfully.

The sentence is not clear because the word She could refer to either Arachne or Athena. Sometimes you must repeat a noun or rewrite the sentence.

Arachne competes with Athena. Athena weaves skillfully.


The noun or group of words to which pronoun refers to is called its antecedent.

When you use a pronoun, you should be sure that it refers to its antecedent clearly. Be especially careful when you use the pronoun they. Read the following sentence.

They have several books about Greek myths at the library.

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The meaning of They is unclear. The sentence can be improved by rewriting it in the following manner.

Several books about myths are available at the library.


When using pronouns, you must also make sure that they agree with their antecedents in number (singular or plural) and gender. The gender of a noun may be masculine (male), feminine (female), or neuter (referring to things). Notice how the pronouns on the next slide agree with their antecedents.

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1. The myth of Arachne is amusing. I enjoyed it.

2. The bystanders see Athena. They watch her at the loom.

In the first sentence, myth is the antecedent of the pronoun it.

In the second sentence, bystanders is the antecedent of They, and Athena is the antecedent of her.

What is the antecedent of the underlined pronoun in the following sentence?

(Choose all that apply)A long time ago, some brides and grooms used

pretzels in their wedding ceremonies, for it was believed that pretzels brought good luck.

a. Time

b.Bride

c. Groom

d.Pretzels

e. ceremonies

Answer B & CA long time ago, some brides and grooms used

pretzels in their wedding ceremonies, for it was believed that pretzels brought good luck.

a. Time

b.Bride

c. Groom

d.Pretzels

e. ceremonies

What is the antecedent of the underlined pronoun in the following sentence? (Choose

any that apply)

Pretzels continue to be a favorite snack for Americans, but potato chips and tortilla chips are still more popular with them.

a. Pretzels

b.snack

c. Americans

d.Potato chips

e. Tortilla chips

Answer C

Pretzels continue to be a favorite snack for Americans, but potato chips and tortilla chips are still more popular with them.

a. Pretzels

b.snack

c. Americans

d.Potato chips

e. Tortilla chips

Using Pronouns CorrectlySubject pronouns are used in compound subjects, and object

pronouns are used in compound objects.He and Carmen wrote a report on the subject. (Not Him and

Carmen) Tell John and me about Hercules. (Not John and I)

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Using Pronouns Correctly A preposition takes an object, just as many verbs do. The

object of a preposition can be simple or compound. In either case, use an object pronoun as the object of the preposition.

Lee read a famous myth to me. Lee read a famous Roman myth to John and me.

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Using Pronouns Correctly If you are not sure of which form of the pronoun to use, say the

sentence aloud with only the pronoun as the subject or the object. Your ear will often tell you which form is correct.

Whenever the pronoun I is part of a compound subject, it should always be placed after the other parts of the subject. Similarly, when the objective pronoun me is part of a compound object, it should go after the other parts of the object.

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Using Pronouns Correctly

Lee and I read some ancient Roman myths. (Not I and Lee)

If you are unsure of which pronoun to use, cross out the compound part and say the sentence aloud.

Lee and I read some ancient Roman myths.

Mythology interests Lee and me. (Not me and Lee).

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Using Pronouns Correctly

In formal writing and speech use a subject pronoun after a linking verb.

The subject pronoun that follows a linking verb is called the predicate pronoun (like the predicate nominative).

The writer of this report was she. It is I who will drive you.Was and is are linking verbsand should be followed by a subjective pronoun.

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Choose the correct form of the pronoun in parenthesis.

John and (I, me) know something about tropical rain forests.

(Would you say, “I know something” or “me know something”?)

I is the correct answer.

You do…Choose the correct form of the pronoun in

parenthesis.

My biology teacher, Mrs. Green, and (him, he) will take us to the marina to study the habits of harbor seals.

Answer

My biology teacher, Mrs. Green, and (him, he) will take us to the marina to study the habits of harbor seals.

Choose the correct pronoun.

Mrs. Green learned a great deal there; therefore, Mrs. Green and (we, us) will benefit from such an experience.

Answer

Mrs. Green learned a great deal there; therefore, Mrs. Green and (we, us) will benefit from such an experience.

Possessive Pronouns A possessive pronoun is a

pronoun that shows who or what has something. A possessive pronoun may take the place of a possessive noun.

Read the following sentences. Notice the possessive nouns and the

possessive pronouns that replace them.

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Possessive Pronouns

Homer’s story is famous. His story is famous.

This story is Homer’s. This story is his.

Possessive nouns are in green. Possessive pronouns are in red.

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Possessive PronounsPossessive pronouns have two forms. One form is used

before a noun. The other form is used alone.

ours

yours

theirs

mine

yours

his, hers, its

Used

alone

our

your

their

my

your

his, her, its

Used before nouns

PluralSingular

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Possessive PronounsPossessive pronouns are not written with apostrophes. The

pronoun its, for example, shows possession. The word

it’s, on the other hand, is a contraction of it is. Read the following sentences. Notice the meaning of the words in red type.

Its central character is Odysseus. (possessive pronoun)

It’s about the adventures of Odysseus. (contraction of It is)

Choose the correct possessive form. Answer all three now.

1. That project is belongs to you; this one is (mine, mines).

2. We know (their, theirs) is the best project.

3. Have you and (yours, your) classmates finished yet?

Answer

1. That project is belongs to you; this one is (mine, mines).

2. We know (their, theirs) is the best project.

3. Have you and (yours, your) classmates finished yet?

How would MAP might ask a personal pronoun question? YIKES

• Which of the following sentences is complex (it has both a dependent and independent clause) and uses a plural, objective personal pronoun?

A. Ms. Wells and he visited the museum last night.

B. Although you told them about your trouble, Casey and Ralph could not help you.

C. It will be a traumatic experience when Florida State loses.

D. That boy never obeys, and he certainly is not nice.HINT…Eliminate the simple and compound sentences first. Then

examine the pronouns in the complex sentences. Which one of the complex sentences has a plural, objective personal pronoun? That sentence is your answer!

And the answer is…BA. Ms. Wells and he visited the museum last night. –

Eliminate this simple sentence.

B. Although you told them about your trouble, Casey and Ralph could not help you. (Complex sentence…them is plural, objective pronoun…..ANSWER!!!!!!)

C.It will be a traumatic experience when Florida State loses. (Complex sentence...the personal pronoun is singular and subjective…NOT THE ANSWER!!!)

D.That boy never obeys, and he certainly is not nice. – Eliminate this compound sentence.

Which of the following sentences is simple and uses a singular possessive

masculine pronoun?

a. My biology teacher is Mrs. Green.

b. Mrs. Green gave Ted a B on his project, but he felt that his project deserved an A.

c. His project on mold spores was truly the best one.

d. Mrs. Green refused to reconsider Ted’s grade since she felt that his father did the majority of the work.

Which of the following sentences is simple and uses a singular possessive

masculine pronoun? Ca. My biology teacher is Mrs. Green. Simple but my is

not masculine

b. Mrs. Green gave Ted a B on his project, but he felt that his project deserved an A. compound with a singular masculine pronoun

c. His project on mold spores was truly the best one. Simple with a singular masculine pronoun

d. Mrs. Green refused to reconsider Ted’s grade since she felt that his father did the majority of the work. Complex with a singular masculine pronoun

Indefinite PronounsAn indefinite pronoun is a pronoun that does not refer to a

particular person, place, or thing.

Does anyone know the story of Midas?

Most indefinite pronouns are either singular or plural.

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Some Indefinite Pronouns

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Singular Pluralanother everybody no one

anybody everyone nothing

anyone everything one

anything much somebody

each neither someone

either nobody something

both

few

many

others

several

All, any, most, none and some can be singular or plural, depending on the phrase that follows them.

All, Any, Most, None, and Some

• For the pronouns that can be singular or plural, determine if the object of the preposition can be measured or if it can be counted.

• Measured…singular verbs will be used for correct pronoun/verb agreement.

• Counted…plural verbs will be used for correct pronoun/verb agreement

Measurable…Singular

• All of the water has drained out of the tub.

All (of the water) has drained out of the tub.

Water can be measured and not counted; therefore, you must use a singular verb like has.

SINGULAR VERBS END IN -S

Countable…Plural

• None of the water spouts work, and I’m thirsty!

• None (of the water spouts) work…

• I can count water spouts; therefore a plural verb must be used. Remember that plural verbs DO NOT end in –S.

What can you measure? What can you count?

Measurable (singular)

• (Make a list with your partners.)

• Sugar

• Hair

• Freedom

• milk

Countable (plural)

• (Make a list with your partners.)

• Sugar cubes

• Hair brushes

• Freedom riders

• Milk cartons


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When an indefinite pronoun is used as the subject, the verb must agree with it in number.

Everyone discusses the plot. (singular)

Both talk about King Minos. (plural)

All of mythology is about beliefs and ideals. (singular)

All of the myths are about beliefs and ideals. (plural)

Singular verbs end in –s; plural verbs do not!


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Possessive pronouns often have indefinite pronouns as their antecedents. In such cases, the pronouns must agree in number. Note that in the first example the intervening prepositional phrase does not affect the agreement.

Each of the characters has his or her motive.

Several have conflicts with their rivals.

Choose the correct word based on the number of the indefinite pronoun.

1. Each of the female runners in the race bettered (her, their) previous best time.

2. Not everyone should include a four-year college in (his or her, their) future.

3. Both of the girls told (her, their) parents about the dance.


1. The team has chosen Waldo as (its, their) mascot.

2. Many of Jack’s errors (reveal, reveals) his lack of practice.

3. Can anybody do this worksheet correctly without (his, their) handbook?


1. The team has chosen Waldo as (its, their) mascot. Team is a collective/singular subject.

2. Many of Jack’s errors (reveal, reveals) his lack of practice.

3. Can anybody do this worksheet correctly without (his, their) handbook?

Reflexive Pronouns

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A reflexive pronoun refers to a noun or another pronoun and indicates that the same person or thing is involved. Reflexive pronouns are formed by adding –self or –selves to certain personal and possessive pronouns

The woman found herself a book of folktales.

Reflexive Pronoun

Reflexive Pronouns

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Singular Plural

myself

yourself

himself, herself, itself

ourselves

yourselves

themselves

Sometimes hisself is mistakenly used for himself and theirselves for themselves. Avoid using hisself and theirselves.

Intensive Pronouns

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An intensive pronoun is a pronoun that adds emphasis to a noun or pronoun already named.

George himself bought a copy of American Tall Tales.

He paid for the book himself.

Is the underlined pronoun intensive or reflexive?

1. I will climb that mountain myself.

2. I myself will climb that mountain.

3. I will climb that mountain by myself.

Is the underlined pronoun intensive or reflexive?

1. I will climb that mountain myself. Intensive

2. I myself will climb that mountain. Intensive

3. I will climb that mountain by myself. Reflexive

Pronouns

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