Noun : Word that names A Person A Place A Thing An Idea

Kinds of Nouns

Kinds of Nouns Concrete Nouns: name specific things that can be directly experienced or perceived by the senses Example: airplane Abstract nouns: name an idea or concept that cannot be seen, heard, felt, tasted, smelled, or directly experienced. Example: justice

The Pronoun The pronoun is a word used in place of one or more nouns. It may stand for a person, place, thing, or idea. Indefinite Pronouns anybody each either none someone, one, etc. Demonstrative Pronouns this that these those Personal Pronouns I, me, mine you, your, yours she, her, hers, we,us, our, ours it, its they, them, their, theirs myself yourself Interrogative Pronouns who whom what which whose

Personal Pronouns A 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.

Indefinite Pronouns An 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.

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.

Possessive Pronouns Used before nouns Used alone ours yours theirs mine his, hers Used alone our your their my his, her, its Used before nouns Plural Singular

Pronouns and Antecedents (the words they replace) 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.

Pronouns and Antecedents The noun or group of words that a 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.

Pronouns and Antecedents 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.

Pronouns and Antecedents 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).

The Adjective Which? What kind? How many? Answers these questions: Modifies or describes a noun or pronoun. Answers these questions: Did you lose your address book? Which? Is that a wool sweater? What kind? Just give me five minutes. How many?