Parts of Speech: Pronouns Composition 9 Parts of Speech: Pronouns

Pronouns and Antecedents Follow along on Text pages 346-347. A pronoun is a word used to replace a noun or more than one noun, referred to as the antecedent of the pronoun. Thus, in the context of a sentence or a few sentences, a pronoun needs an antecedent in order to clarify its meaning. Example: Sally (ANTECEDENT) lost the game, and she (PRONOUN) was not very happy. We will work together one Exercise 11.

Importance of Pronoun-Antecedent Clarity There is nothing more frustrating than reading sentences with unclear pronouns. It is extremely important to make sure that you ALWAYS ensure the clarity of every pronoun that you use in every sentence that you write. Otherwise, the meanings of your sentences will never be clear. The rule of thumb for pronoun- antecedent relationships is that the pronoun refers to the first appropriate noun that precedes it. There will be a quiz concerning personal pronouns and antecedents during the next class period.

Kinds of Pronouns  Personal Follow along on Textbook page 348. Personal pronouns refer to preceding nouns that identify a person or persons. A personal pronoun referring to one person is singular, while one referring to more than one person is plural. First person personal pronouns are those that refer to oneself or a group that one is part of. Examples: I, me, we, us Second person personal pronouns refer to a person or persons being directly addressed. Examples: You, your Third person personal pronouns refer to a person or persons being indirectly referred to. Examples: He, him, she, her, they, them We will work together on Exercise 13.

Kinds of Pronouns  Reflexive and Intensive Follow along on textbook pages 349-350. A reflexive pronoun refers to a noun or pronoun to indicate that the same noun is involved. It refers back to the subject of a verb. Examples: Myself, yourself, ourselves, yourselves I slapped myself in the face. An intensive pronoun takes the same form as a reflexive pronoun, but is used to add emphasis to a noun or pronoun. Example: I myself ran the campaign. Example: He himself gave the game away. We will work together on Exercise 14.

Kinds of Pronouns  Relative, Interrogative, and Demonstrative Follow along on Text pages 350-352. A relative pronoun is used to introduce a subordinate clause, a group of words that clarifies what a preceding verb or adjective relates to. Examples: Who, whom, whatever, whose, which, that John is the man who showed up. I stood up from the chair that had been provided for me. An interrogative pronoun is used to begin a question. Examples: Who, what, whose, which Who is coming to the game? Whose watch is this? A demonstrative pronoun points out specific persons, places, things, or ideas. Examples: This, that, these, those This is my house. Those are John’s scissors. We will work together on Exercise 15.

Kinds of Pronouns  Indefinite Follow along on Text page 353. An indefinite pronoun refers to persons, places, things or ideas in a general way. These can often be used without antecedents, though this can sometimes lead to a lack of clarity. Examples: All, both, few, many, none Many were unable to swim to shore. None survived. We will work together through Exercise 16.

Possessive Pronouns Follow along on Text page 557. A possessive personal pronoun is one that indicates belonging, just like a possessive noun. Unlike possessive nouns, however, possessive personal pronouns do not require the use of apostrophes. Examples: My, mine, his, her, hers, their, theirs My, your, her, its, our, and their are used before a noun. Mine, yours, hers, ours, and theirs are never used before a noun, instead standing alone. His can be used in either way. The possessive form of who is whose. Example: The bat is John’s. That is his bat. That bat is his. Example: That house belongs to me. That is my house. That house is mine. We will work through Exercise 6 in the textbook together. Indefinite possessive pronouns require an apostrophe and an “s.” Examples: SomeoneSomeone’s; NobodyNobody’s We will work together through Exercise 7.

No more pronouns! Pronouns done.