Pronouns• A pronoun is a word used in place of one noun or

more than one noun.• The noun replaced, or referred to, by the pronoun

is called the pronoun’s antecedent. Antecedents are easy to identify by asking to whom or what does the pronoun refer.

Ex: Lolo said he is going to try out for cheerleading.

– Brittany said she is going to the activity night.

PRONOUNS AND ANTECEDENTS• Pronoun: a word used in place of a noun or a

group of words acting as a noun

• Antecedent: the noun that the pronoun replaces

• Examples: The models bought themselves new dresses. – Kevin forgot to hand in his homework.

SINGULAR and PLURAL PRONOUNS

• Singular pronouns – one person – i.e. she, he

• Plural pronouns = more than one person– i.e. them

First, Second, and Third Person Singular Pronouns

• First (the person speaking)– I talk. – “I” is the singular pronoun

• Second (the person being spoken to)– You talk. – “You” is the singular pronoun

• Third (the person spoken about– He talks. – “He” is the singular pronoun

First, Second, and Third Person Plural Pronouns

• First (the person speaking)– We talk. – “I” is the plural pronoun

• Second (the person being spoken to)– You talk. – “You” is the plural pronoun

• Third (the person spoken about– They talk. – “The” is the plural pronoun

The Personal Pronouns

First Person: I, me, myself, my, mine, we, us, our, ourselves, and ours 

Second Person: You, your, and yours

Third Person: he, she, it, him, her, himself, herself, himself, his, her, hers, its, they, them, themselves, their, and theirs 

WHICH PERSON IS IT?WHY?Ex: You shouldn't forget to set your alarm when you have an 8:00 a.m. class .

Singular

• Takes the place of a singular noun

Ex: The girl went to the store.

Girl=singular nounShe=singular pronoun

• Take the place of a plural noun or more than one noun

Ex: The cats played with yarn.

Cats=plural nounThey=plural pronoun

Plural

Demonstrative Pronouns• Demonstrative pronouns point to people, places, and things.• The four demonstrative pronouns are:

– This, that, these, and those– They are always the subject in a sentence

• THIS and THESE refer to nouns that are nearby in time or space.• THAT or THOSE refer to nouns that are further away in time or

space. •

This tastes delicious. (This is the subject of the sentence.)• Jim wrote that. (That is the direct object of the sentence.)• These look good. (These is the subject of the sentence.)• Jack brought those. (Those is the direct object of the

sentence.)

Interrogative Pronouns• Interrogative pronouns take the place of nouns in

questions.• Interrogative pronouns include the words:

– Who– Whom– Which – What

Who entered the room?What was the noise?Which came first?Whom should we give the prize to?

Indefinite Pronouns• Indefinite pronouns refer to a person, place,

thing, or idea that is not specifically named. • Examples:

– Everyone made the soccer team.– None of the girls looked sad.

It can be also be an adjective or subject of a sentence

– Many students are still having a difficult time waking up for school.

– Both students are dressed in similar outfits.

Relative Pronouns• Relative pronouns are used to link phrases or

clauses to other phrases or clauses. They usually begin subordinate clauses.

• The relative pronouns are:»Who»Whom»That»Which»Whose

…continuedEXAMPLES

• I don't know who  called.• Brad asked to whom he should give the

package.• Pat knew that she had won the match.• Jerry didn't know which was his.• John is the one whose bicycle has the

new tires.

DEMONSTRATIVE ADJECTIVES

• This, that, these, and those are demonstrative pronouns when they are the subject of the sentence.– This is fun.– That was awkward!

» BUT …

This, that, these, and those can also be demonstrative adjectives when they modify a noun or pronoun.

- These children are waiting for the bus.

- That man is the new soccer coach.

INDEFINITE ADJECTIVES

• A number of indefinite pronouns – both, few, many, each, most, and all --- can also be indefinite adjectives.– Many missed the bus.– Some were unhappy with the report.– Few classes are offered this fall.– Each students gets to choose a candy.

INTERROGATIVE ADJECTIVES

• Which, what, and whose are interrogative pronouns that can also act as interrogative adjectives.

• Pronoun: Which is your favorite dish?• Adjective: Which sauce do you like best?• Pronoun: Whose is that?• Adjective: Whose poodle can that be?