Pronouns Standing in for Nouns

Personal Pronouns A pronoun is a word that takes the place of one or more nouns. Pronouns that refer to people or things are called personal pronouns. he they it I we she me us them her you him

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. Singular Plural Used Before Nouns my your her, his, its our their Used Alone mine yours hers, his, its ours theirs

Indefinite Pronouns An indefinite pronoun is a pronoun that does not refer to a particular person, place, or thing. Always Singular Always Plural another neither anybody nobody anyone no one anything nothing each one either somebody everybody someone everyone something everything much both few many others several

Reflexive & Intensive Pronouns A reflexive pronoun ends with –self or –selves and refers to the subject of a sentence. Yolanda bought herself a book on engine repair. Singular Plural myself yourself himself, herself, itself ourselves yourselves themselves

Intensive Pronouns A Reflexive Pronoun refers to the subject and is necessary to the basic meaning of the sentence. Mavis reminded herself to speak slowly and clearly. An Intensive Pronoun also ends in –self or –selves and emphasizes its antecedent and is NOT necessary to the basic meaning of the sentence. Mr. Hogan himself supplied the decorations.

Interrogative Pronouns An interrogative pronoun is a pronoun used to introduce an interrogative sentence. Who borrowed the book? Whom did the librarian call? Which is it? What interests you? Whose copy of the book is it?

Demonstrative Pronouns A demonstrative pronoun is a pronoun that points out something. This is an interesting book. These are interesting books. That was a good movie. Those were good movies.

Common Relative Pronouns A relative pronoun introduces a subordinate clause. Examples: Harry S. Truman, who became president when Franklin D. Roosevelt died, surprised many people with his victory over Thomas Dewey in 1948. Robins are among the birds that migrate south for the winter. Common Relative Pronouns that which who whom whose

Antecedents Antecedent – a word or word phrase that has been replaced by a pronoun. Here is an example from Hatchet. antecedent Brian reached out and took the wheel in a grip so tight his knuckles were white. Think: Whose knuckles were white? pronoun