Pronoun Types
Table of Contents Slide 3: Pronoun Purpose Slide 4: Personal & Possessive Slide 5: Indefinite & Relative Slide 6: Demonstrative & Interrogative Slide 7: Reflexive & Intensive Slide 8: Reciprocal Slide 9: Attributes
Pronoun Purpose The purpose of the pronoun is to replace its antecedent (the noun the pronoun is replacing). Example: Mrs. Nelson gave herself a foot massage after a long, hard day. The pronoun, herself, replaces Mrs. Nelson’s name, so Mrs. Nelson is the antecedent. There are many types of pronouns. This slideshow will outline them and demonstrate how to use the types appropriately.
Personal Possessive These pronouns are used as subjects & objects: I, me, we, us, they, them, he, him, she, her, it Example: I (subject) want you (object) to give the book to him (object). These pronouns show ownership: My, mine, your, yours, her, hers, his, their, theirs, our, ours, its Example: My car is red but yours is green.
Indefinite Relative These pronouns do not take the place of any specific noun. These pronouns relate groups of words to other pronouns. Everybody Anybody Somebody All Each Every Some None One No one Who Whoever Which That Indefinite example: Everyone is accounted for. Relative example: Whoever makes this shot will be the team’s hero.
Demonstrative Interrogative This That These Those Demonstrative pronouns identify—or point to—nouns. That is my pencil. Who Whose What Which Interrogative pronouns introduce questions. Whose pencil is that?
Intensive & Reflexive Pronouns Myself Yourself Himself Herself Yourselves Ourselves Themselves Intensive pronouns are used to emphasize a subject. Ex. I, myself, will drive home. Reflexive pronouns indicate that the subject of a sentence also receives the action of the verb. Ex. I told myself to remain calm.
Reciprocal Pronouns Use these pronouns when 2 or more subjects are acting in the same way toward the other. Example: Tessa and Soren are talking to each other. Each other & one another are the only 2 reciprocal pronouns. Only use reciprocal pronouns when 2 or more people, things, or groups are doing the same thing.
Attributes All photos used here are courtesy of Microsoft Office.