1. Pronoun Unit: Lessons 1-4

2. Lesson 1: Personal Pronouns

3. Personal Pronouns
A pronoun is a word that takes the place of one or more nouns and the words that go with the nouns.
To avoid repeating words in your sentences, you can sometimes replace the nouns with pronouns.

4. Personal Pronouns
Personal pronouns are pronouns that refer primarily to persons.
Ex: Rita likes books. She collects biographies.
Ex: Tim and Sue bought a new book. They read often.

5. Personal Pronouns
Some personal pronouns are used as the subjects of sentences. These are called subject pronouns.
Ex: Tim owns several dictionaries. He enjoys words.

6. Personal Pronouns
Other personal pronouns are used as objects of verbs or as the objects of prepositions. These are called object pronouns.
Ex: Al has a book of poems. Lila gave it to him.

7. Personal Pronouns Subject Pronouns Object Pronouns Singular Plural
I we
you you
he, she, it they
me us
him, her, it them

8. Guided Practice She her them him They
Directions: Replace the underlined word or words with a personal pronoun.
Sarah Bernhardt was a world-famous actress.
A few early recording by Sarah Bernhardt exist.
The “divine” Sarah played many roles on stage.
Her portrayal of Hamlet astonished the critics.
Such performance brought her international
She
her
them
him
They

9. Lesson 2:Pronouns and Antecedents

10. Pronouns and Antecedents
Pronouns help you refer back to nouns in other sentences.
The noun that a pronoun refers to is called the antecedent of the pronoun.
The antecedent includes any words that go with the noun.

11. Pronouns and Antecedents
The book lists inventors.
Robert Fulton was included.
Fulton and Bell changed America.
It is fascinating.
He invented the steamboat.
They were geniuses.

12. Pronouns and Antecedents
A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number and gender.
A pronoun may be singular or plural in number and masculine (male), feminine (female), or neuter (referring to things) in gender.

13. Pronouns and Antecedents
Examples:
Mrs. Peters is a librarian. She recommends books.
I like reading about inventors. They inspire me to think creatively.
When you use pronouns, make sure that their antecedents are clear.

14. He They It She Guided Practice
Directions: Complete the second sentence in each pair by giving the correct personal pronoun. He
Alexander Graham Bell was a tireless inventor. ________ invented more than just the telephone.
Bell also did research on other machines. ______ included the airplane and the phonograph.
In addition, Bell worked on a hydrofoil. _____ was not a success.
Maria is reading a biography of Bell. ______will lend it to me next week.
They It
She

15. Lesson 3: Using Pronouns Correcctly

16. Using Pronouns Correctly
You have learned that subject pronouns are used as subjects of sentences and that object pronouns are used as objects of verbs and of prepositions.
This is still true even when the subjects or objects are compound.

17. Using Pronouns Correctly
Beth and he took speech class together.
Bob and she are on the same debate team.
The school reporter commended Lara and him.
Their points were convincing to the judges and us.

18. Using Pronouns Correctly
If you’re not sure which pronoun to use, say the sentence to yourself with only the subject pronoun or object pronoun.
Saying it out loud may help you decide which form is correct.

19. Using Pronouns Correctly
If the pronoun I or me is part of a compound subject or object, it is polite to put it last.
Ex: David and I will represent our school.
Ex: Will you listen to David and me?
In formal writing use a subject pronoun after a linking verb.
Ex: My opponent was she.
Ex: The last judges were they.

20. Guided Practice
Directions: Choose the correct pronoun or pronouns for each sentence.
My brother and (I, me) are interested in chess and play together quite often.
(He and I, I and he) play chess together, like young Bobby Fischer and his sister.
Bobby’s teacher was (she, her).
Bobby Fischer is a hero to my brother and (I, me).
His championship play amazed his rivals and (we,us).

21. Lesson 4: Possessive Pronouns

22. Possessive Pronouns
Pronouns that show who or what has or owns something are called possessive nouns.
A possessive pronoun can take the place of a possessive noun.

23. Possessive Nouns His speech is famous. This pen is hers.
Possessive Pronoun
Lincoln’s speech is famous.
This pen is Ramona’s.
His speech is famous.
This pen is hers.

24. Possessive Nouns
Possessive pronouns have two forms. One is used before a noun. The other form is used alone.
Used Before Nouns
Stand Alone my
our
mine
ours
your
yours
his, her, its
their
theirs

25. Possessive Nouns
Possessive pronouns never have apostrophes, as possessive nouns do.
Do not confuse pronoun contractions, such as it’s and you’re, with possessive pronouns.
Ex: Read Irene’s report on Nat Turner. (possessive noun)
Ex: Its subject is not widely known. (possessive pronoun)
Ex: It’s very informative. (contraction of it is)

26. Guided Practice stands alone before a noun stands alone
Directions: Name the possessive noun in each sentence. Tell whether it comes before a noun or stands alone.
Her name is Sojourner Truth and she had a mission.
Few people have possessed courage like hers.
She told Americans a truth about their country.
Ours is a history of individual struggle.
before a noun
stands alone
before a noun
stands alone