Parts of Speech Notes on Pronouns

Pronouns Used instead of a noun (and sometimes another pronoun), to avoid repeating the noun. – Examples: I / you / he / she / it / we / they / their Identify the pronouns in the following sentences: 1.) I was glad to find the bus pass in the bottom of the green knapsack. 2.) You are surely the strangest child I have ever met. 3.) He stole her money and forced her to live with him. 4.) When she was a young woman, she earned her living as a coal miner. 5.) After many years, they returned to their homeland. 6.) We will meet at the library at 3:30 p.m. 7.) It is on the counter.

Answers (pronouns in yellow) 1.) I was glad to find the bus pass in the bottom of the green knapsack. 2.) You are surely the strangest child I have ever met. 3.) He stole her money and forced her to live with him. 4.) When she was a young woman, she earned her living as a coal miner. 5.) After many years, they returned to their homeland. 6.) We will meet at the library at 3:30 p.m. 7.) It is on the counter.

Antecedents Antecedents are the nouns that the pronouns have replaced. – For example: Mrs. Starrett took her dog for a walk. her is the pronoun. What noun has her replaced – Mrs. Starrett. Therefore, Mrs. Starrett is the antecedent for the pronoun her. Sometimes, the antecedents are not clear or there is no antecedent in the sentence. – For example: It is on the counter. It is the pronoun. However, we don’t know what it is based on this sentence. Therefore, the pronoun it has no antecedent. Many antecedents can be found earlier in a text or paragraph as well.

Practice Circle the pronouns and underline the appropriate antecedents for each. 1. Tom ran his mower until it died. 2. The students left their books in the classroom. 3. Nancy told her friends she was going to the movies. 4. He left it sitting on the shelf. 5. The school lost its power, causing all students to go home.

Answers Pronouns in yellow / antecedents in blue 1. Tom ran his mower until it died. 2. The students left their books in the classroom. 3. Nancy told her friends she was going to the movies. 4. He left it sitting on the shelf. 5. The school lost its power, causing all students to go home.