Unit 8 Pronouns

Lesson 1 Pronouns

A pronoun is a word that takes the place of one or more nouns. Pronouns keep us from having to repeat the same noun. Example: James owns an ax, but James needs a log splitter. James owns an ax, but he needs a log splitter.

Singular pronouns refer to one person or thing. Plural pronouns refer to more than one. SINGULAR PRONOUNS I you he she it PLURAL PRONOUNS we you they

A pronoun makes sense only if you know which noun it replaces. The noun that the pronoun refers to is called the antecedent. Make sure that you have a clear antecedent for every pronoun. A pronoun can have more than one antecedent.

Examples: When George had enough money, he bought a bike. George left the bike out in the rain, and it rusted. After Brian and Carla had collected many recipes, they decided to write a cookbook. (write your own example)

The antecedent does not have to be in the same sentence as the pronoun. Example: Brian and Carla wrote the cookbook. Carla illustrated it.

Pronouns as Subjects and Objects Lesson 2 Pronouns as Subjects and Objects

You know that nouns can be subjects or direct objects. A pronoun that replaces a subject is a subject pronoun. Example: Bob Phillips hit the ball. He hit the ball.

A pronoun that replaces a direct object is an object pronoun. An object pronoun receives the action of a verb. Object pronouns are used after words such as to, in, for, and at. Examples: Dad knows Sue Fox. Dad knows her. Kevin threw the ball to Joan. Kevin threw the ball to her.

The chart shows how singular and plural pronouns change their forms according to their use. Subject Pronouns Object Pronouns Singular Plural I we you he, she, it they Singular Plural me us you him, her, it them

Lesson 3 Possessive Pronouns

You know that possessive nouns show ownership. A pronoun that shows ownership is called a possessive pronoun. Example: My mug is on the table. Its handle is broken.

Some possessive pronouns always come before nouns Some possessive pronouns always come before nouns. Other possessive pronouns always stand alone. Before nouns: Her mug is red. Our glasses are clean. Stand alone: That mug is theirs. This is mine, not hers.

The chart shows the singular and plural possessive nouns The chart shows the singular and plural possessive nouns. Notice that his and its can come before nouns or can stand alone. Possessive Pronouns Used before nouns Used alone my our mine ours your your yours yours his, her, its their his, hers, its theirs

Do not confuse possessive pronouns with contractions. Possessive pronouns do not have apostrophes. Possessive Pronouns its their you Contraction it’s they’re you’re (it is) (they are) (you are)

Pronouns After Linking Verbs Lesson 4 Pronouns After Linking Verbs

Always use subject pronouns after linking verbs. You have learned that a linking verb joins the subject of a sentence with a predicate noun. Always use subject pronouns after linking verbs. Example: The champions were they. The team members were she and I.

To check that the pronoun is correct, reverse the order of the sentence. They were the champions. (correct) Them were the champions. (incorrect)

Pronouns in Compound Subjects and Objects Lesson 5 Pronouns in Compound Subjects and Objects

You know that two or more simple subjects joined by and or or make up a compound subject. The pronouns in compound subjects are subject pronouns.

It is polite to mention yourself last. If you want to include yourself as part of the compound subject, use the subject pronoun I. It is polite to mention yourself last. Example: Pam or I will water the plants. She and he took a walk.

To check that a pronoun is correct, try using it alone as the subject. For example, drop the words Pam or. I will water the plants is correct. Me will water the plants is not.

You know that a direct object receives the action of a verb. Any pronoun in a compound direct object must be an object pronoun. Here, too, it is polite to mention yourself last. Example: The dog followed Tim and me. (followed who?) The class invited her, him, and me. (invited who?)

To be sure that the pronoun is correct, ask yourself which pronoun fits when used alone. For example, drop Tom and. The dog followed me is correct. The dog followed I is not.

Lesson 6 Using Who, Whom, Whose

The words who, whom, and whose are forms of the pronoun who. Questions often include who, whom, or whose. Use who as a subject pronoun. Example: Who is running for office? Who voted this morning? (write your own example)

Use whom as an object pronoun. Example: Whom do you believe? (You do believe whom.) Whom has Barry chosen? (Berry has chosen whom.) (write your own example)

To check that whom is correct, make a statement out of the question, as shown in the example on the previous slide. Whom, not who, is correct because it works as a direct object in both examples.

Whose is the possessive form of the pronoun who. You often use the pronoun whose when you ask questions about ownership. Example: Whose ideas are better? Whose vote will decide?

Remember that a possessive pronoun never has an apostrophe. Do not confuse whose and who’s. Whose is a possessive pronoun. Who’s is a contraction of the words who is. Remember that a possessive pronoun never has an apostrophe. Example: Who’s the best person for the job? (Who is) Whose sister is she?

Using We and Us with Nouns Lesson 7 Using We and Us with Nouns

The pronouns we and us are often used with nouns for emphasis. Use the subject pronoun we with a subject or after a linking verb. Use the object pronoun us with a direct object.

Examples: WITH A SUBJECT We girls are the state champions. AFTER A LINKING VERB The winning players were we boys. WITH A DIRECT OBJECT The team needs us fans. (needs who?)

Lesson 8 Indefinite Pronouns

You have learned that pronouns take the place of nouns. The nouns that they replace are called antecedents. Pronouns called indefinite pronouns do not have definite antecedents.

An indefinite pronoun does not refer to a specific person, place, or thing. Example: Someone left a book on the desk. Does anybody need a pencil?

Some indefinite pronouns are singular and always take a singular verb. Other indefinite pronouns are plural and always take a plural verb. Singular: Everybody is waiting for the teacher. Plural: Many are excited about the lesson.

The chart shows the most common singular and plural indefinite pronouns. anybody everybody nothing all others anyone everyone somebody both several anything everything someone few some each nobody something many