Download Pronouns - University of Maryland, Baltimore

pronouns
Pronouns are one of the basic parts of speech. This handout will help you identify and use different types of pronouns.
General Rules
Definition and Function
A pronoun is a word that stands in for or replaces a noun or a noun phrase.
Example: Stacy loves Daniel. He is her husband.
Note: “He” is a pronoun that takes the place of the noun “Daniel” in the second sentence.
Antecedents
An antecedent is the noun or noun phrase that a pronoun replaces.
Example: Stacy loves Daniel. He is her husband.
Note: “Daniel” is the antecedent of the pronoun “he.”
Personal Pronouns
Personal pronouns are pronouns that change depending on if you are speaking about someone or
something in the first, second, or third person.
Subject Pronouns
Use the subject form of the pronoun when the pronoun functions as the subject of the sentence or clause.
Subject Pronouns
Singular
Plural
First Person
I
We
Second Person
You
You
Third Person
He/She/It
They
Example: She loves Daniel.
Note: “She” is the subject of the sentence.
Example: I can’t stand bad examples.
Writing Center
Version 3.0
1
SMC Campus Center
621 W. Lombard St. Room 307
www.umaryland.edu/writing
410-706-7725
Note: “I” is the subject of the sentence.
Object Pronouns
When a pronoun functions as a direct object, an indirect object, or the object of a preposition, use the
object form.
Object Pronouns
Singular
Plural
First Person
Me
Us
Second Person
You
You
Third Person
Him/Her/It
Them
Example: Stacy loves him.
Note: “Him” is the direct object of the verb “loves.”
Example: Stacy threw us the ball.
Note: “Us” is the indirect object of the verb “threw.” “Ball” is the direct object.
Example: Stacy will send the letter to them.
Note: “Them” is the object of the preposition “to.”
Reflexive Pronouns
Use a reflexive pronoun if the object of a verb or preposition refers to the same person or thing as the
subject.
Reflexive Pronouns
Singular
Plural
First Person
Myself
Ourselves
Second Person
Yourself
Yourselves
Third Person
Himself/Herself/Itself
Themselves
Example: She will send the letter to herself.
Note: “Herself” is the object the preposition “to” and refers to the same person as the subject “she.”
Emphatic Pronouns
Use emphatic pronouns for emphasis. They are identical in form to reflexive pronouns detailed above.
Example: I will do it myself.
Note: “Myself” is an emphatic pronoun that emphasizes that “I” will do it.
Generic Personal Pronouns
Use generic personal pronouns when your sentence requires a subject or object, but you do not wish to
refer to anyone in particular.
Writing Center
2
SMC Campus Center
621 W. Lombard St. Room 307
www.umaryland.edu/writing
410-706-7725
In formal settings, use the pronoun “one.” In more casual settings, use “you.”
Generic Personal Pronouns
Less Formal
More Formal
Subject
You
One
Object
You
One
Reflexive
Yourself
Oneself
Possessive Pronoun
Yours
One’s
Possessive Adjective
Your
One’s
More Formal: When gardening, one must protect one’s skin from the sun.
Less Formal: When gardening, you must protect your skin from the sun.
Possessive Pronouns
Possessive pronouns are closely related to personal pronouns. Use them to show ownership. Do not
confuse possessive pronouns with possessive adjectives—remember that a pronoun takes the
place of a noun while an adjective modifies a noun.
Possessive Pronouns
Singular
Plural
First Person
Mine
Ours
Second Person
Yours
Yours
Third Person
His/Hers/Its
Theirs
Example: All of the cars are unique. Hers has the scratch along the side.
Note: “Hers” is a possessive pronoun referring back to “car.”
Example: I don’t want mine. I want yours!
Note: “Mine” and “yours” are both possessive pronouns functioning as objects in the sentences.
Possessive Adjectives
So you can see the difference, here are the possessive adjectives. Notice how they cannot replace a noun.
They can only modify a noun.
Possessive Adjectives
Singular
Plural
First Person
My X
Our X
Second Person
Your X
Your X
Third Person
His X/Her X/Its X
Their X
Example: All of the cars are unique. Her car has the scratch along the side.
Note: “Her” is a possessive adjective modifying “car.”
Writing Center
3
SMC Campus Center
621 W. Lombard St. Room 307
www.umaryland.edu/writing
410-706-7725
Example: I don’t want my car. I want your car!
Note: “My” and “your” are both possessive adjectives modifying “car.”
Relative Pronouns
Use relative pronouns (i.e., “who,” “whom,” “whose,” “which,” “that”) to introduce adjective clauses
(also known as relative clauses). Adjective clauses act as adjectives, meaning that they provide
information about nouns.
Note: For more information on adjective clauses, please see our “Clauses” handout.
Restrictiveness
There are two types of adjective clauses: restrictive and nonrestrictive. Restrictive clauses provide
essential information about the nouns they modify and cannot be removed from the sentence
without altering its meaning. Non-restrictive clauses do not restrict the nouns they modify—they
add supplemental but nonessential information.
Restrictive: The guests who were seated ate the pie.
Note: This sentences means that only the guests who were seated ate the pie. The sentence would not mean
the same thing if the restrictive clause “who were seated” were removed.
Nonrestrictive: The guests, who were seated, ate the pie.
Nonrestrictive (removed): The guests ate the pie.
Note: This sentence means that all of the guests ate the pie and that they happened to be seated. The
nonrestrictive clause could, in theory, be removed and the sentence still retain its meaning.
Subject vs Object Forms
Please note that adjective clauses are like mini sentences in the sense that they contain subjects, verbs,
and objects. Your choice to use the subject or object form of a relative pronoun depends on its
function within the adjective clause, not the function of the noun the clause modifies.
Example: I want to meet the man who built this house.
Note: “Who” in the adjective clause “who built this house” is in the subject form because “who” is the subject
of the adjective clause. The noun that the adjective clause modifies within the main clause, “man,” is
the direct object of the main clause.
Example: The man whom we hired is a real charmer.
Note: “Whom” in the adjective clause “whom we hired” is in the object form because “whom” is the direct
object of the adjective clause. The subject of the adjective clause is “we.” The noun that the
adjective clause modifies within the main clause, “man,” is the subject of the main clause.
With Prepositions within Adjective Clauses
There are two ways to use prepositions within an adjective clause: at the beginning and at the end of the
clause. Your choice between the two will determine which relative pronoun you can use with the
preposition.
Using the preposition at the beginning of the clause tends to sound more formal. In these cases, the
relative pronoun is attached because it must immediately follow the preposition. You can only use
Writing Center
4
SMC Campus Center
621 W. Lombard St. Room 307
www.umaryland.edu/writing
410-706-7725
“whom” or “which” directly after a preposition.
Example: The man to whom you sent the letter is still in love with your aunt.
Note: “To whom” begins the adjective clause “to whom you sent the letter.” “Whom” is attached to the
preposition “to.”
Using the preposition at the end of the sentence is less formal. In these cases, the relative pronoun is
detached because it is located away from the preposition.
Example: The man who you sent the letter to is still in love with your aunt.
Note: “To” ends the adjective clause “who you sent the letter to.” “Who” is detached from the preposition
“to.” This sounds informal.
Restrictive
Use restrictive relative pronouns to introduce adjective clauses containing information essential to the
meaning of your sentence. Do not set these clauses off with commas.
Restrictive Relative Pronouns
Human
Non-human
Subject
Who
That
Object
Who/Whom/Ø
That
Attached to Preposition
Whom
Which
Detached from Preposition
Who/Whom/Ø
That/Which/Ø
Example: I want to watch the movie that stars Christoph Waltz.
Note: “That stars Christoph Waltz” is a restrictive adjective clause modifying “movie.” We would not know
which movie you were talking about if the clause were removed.
Example: I want a friend whom my parents will enjoy.
Note: “Whom my parents will enjoy” is a restrictive adjective clause modifying “friend.” The sentence would
mean something different if it were only “I want a friend.”
When the relative pronoun functions as the object within a restrictive adjective clause, you have the option
of leaving it off. This is also true if the pronoun functions as the detached object of a preposition
within the clause. These options are represented in the chart above with the “Ø” symbol.
Example: The man we hired is a real charmer.
Note: This sentence means the same thing as “The man whom we hired is a real charmer.”
Example: The man you sent the letter to is still in love with your aunt.
Note: This sentence means the same thing as “The man who you sent the letter to is still in love with your
aunt.”
Nonrestrictive
Use nonrestrictive relative pronouns to introduce clauses containing supplemental or non-essential
information. Set these clauses off with commas. Think of the commas as handles: you could use
Writing Center
5
SMC Campus Center
621 W. Lombard St. Room 307
www.umaryland.edu/writing
410-706-7725
them to lift out the clause if you had to.
Non-restrictive Relative Pronouns
Human
Non-human
Subject
Who
Which
Object
Who/Whom
Which
Attached to Preposition
Whom
Which
Detached from Preposition
Who/Whom
Which
Example: Jack and Jill, which stars Adam Sandler, was a huge flop.
Note: “Which stars Adam Sandler” is a nonrestrictive adjective clause modifying “movie.” You could remove
the clause without altering the meaning of the sentence.
Example: Jay, whom I met two years ago, was hurt in the accident.
Note: “Whom I met two years ago” is a nonrestrictive adjective clause modifying “Jay.” You could remove the
clause without altering the meaning of the sentence.
“Whose”
Though it is a possessive adjective like “his” or “hers,” you can also use “whose” to introduce adjective
clauses. Use it to show possession.
Example: I saw the man whose dog had escaped.
Note: “Whose” is a possessive adjective that both modifies “dog” and introduces the adjective clause “whose
dog had escaped.”
Demonstrative Pronouns
Use demonstrative pronouns to point out specific things for your audience. Demonstrative pronouns are
based on a point of reference in time or space. Those things that are in close proximity to the point
of reference are called proximal and those that are distant from it are called distal. Do not confuse
demonstrative pronouns with demonstrative adjectives—remember that a pronoun takes the place
of a noun while an adjective modifies a noun.
Demonstrative Pronouns
Singular
Plural
Proximal
This
These
Distant
That
Those
Example: That was a terrible movie.
Note: “That” is a demonstrative pronoun further from the point of reference.
Example: Put these next to those.
Note: “These” are demonstrative pronouns closer to the point of reference than “those.”
Writing Center
6
SMC Campus Center
621 W. Lombard St. Room 307
www.umaryland.edu/writing
410-706-7725
Demonstrative Adjectives
So you can see the difference, here are the demonstrative adjectives. Notice how they cannot replace a
noun. They can only modify a noun.
Demonstrative Adjectives
Singular
Plural
Proximal
This X
These X
Distant
That X
Those X
Example: These apples are better than those apples.
Note: “These” and “those” are both adjectives modifying their respective nouns.
Interrogative Pronouns
Use interrogative pronouns when introducing questions. The same rules for attached and detached
prepositions with relative pronouns (see above) apply to interrogative pronouns.
Generic Personal Pronouns
Subject
Object
Human
Who
Whom
Non-human
What
What
Dual (Out of Two)
Which
Which
Plural (Out of Many)
Which
Which
Example: Who ate all of my hard-boiled eggs?
Example: To whom did you send the letter?
Example: What do you believe in?
Example: Which of us is going to clean the bathroom?
Example: Which of the boys should I take to the movies?
Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns do not refer to a specific person, place, or thing.
Universal (“Every”)
Use universal indefinite pronouns when you are making a positive all-encompassing statement.
Writing Center
7
SMC Campus Center
621 W. Lombard St. Room 307
www.umaryland.edu/writing
410-706-7725
Universal Indefinite Pronouns
Subject
Object
Human
Everyone/Everybody/All
Everyone/Everybody/All
Non-human
Everything
Everything
Dual (Out of Two)
Both
Both
Plural (Out of Many)
Each/All
Each/All
Human: Everybody ate two slices of pizza.
Non-human: There isn’t room on this list for everything.
Dual: Both of us should go!
Plural: He’s going to try to sell it to all of us.
Negative (“None”)
Use negative indefinite pronouns when you are making a negative all-encompassing statement.
Negative Indefinite Pronouns
Subject
Object
Human
No one/Nobody
No one/Nobody
Non-human
Nothing
Nothing
Dual (Out of Two)
Neither
Neither
Plural (Out of Many)
None
None
Human: Nobody actually believes in mermaids.
Non-human: He’s a nihilist: he believes in nothing.
Dual: Neither of us wants to go to the concert.
Plural: None of us are interested.
Assertive (“Some”)
There are two main ways to use assertive indefinite pronouns.
Assertive Indefinite Pronouns
Subject
Object
Human
Someone/Somebody
Someone/Somebody
Non-human
Something
Something
Dual (Out of Two)
One
One
Plural (Out of Many)
Some/One
Some/One
First, use them when asserting that someone or something exists or should act in a certain way. By using
“some,” you assert that there is at least one person or thing that exists or should act, but do not
specify which one.
Human: Someone should fix this pothole!
Writing Center
8
SMC Campus Center
621 W. Lombard St. Room 307
www.umaryland.edu/writing
410-706-7725
Non-human: There’s something that has been bothering me.
Dual: One of us will have to deal with that bunch of tigers.
Plural: You’re going to have to talk to one of them.
Second, use assertive indefinite pronouns in questions for which you expect a positive response.
Example: Is someone bothering you?
Note: The expected answer to the question is “yes.”
Example: Would you like to eat some of this pie?
Note: The expected answer to the question is “yes.”
Non-assertive (“Any”)
There are three main ways to use non-assertive indefinite pronouns.
Universal Indefinite Pronouns
Subject
Object
Human
Anyone/Anybody/Whoever
Anyone/Anybody/Whomever
Non-human
Anything/Whatever
Anything/Whatever
Dual (Out of Two)
Either/Whichever
Either/Whichever
Plural (Out of Many)
Any/Whichever
Any/Whichever
First, use them in negative statements.
Example: I don’t need anything from you.
Example: Don’t talk to anybody.
Second, use these pronouns when stating that there are many persons or things that could fulfill a certain
set of requirements though only one or part of them would actually be necessary.
Example: Whoever finds my journal is in for a lot of surprises!
Note: This sentence means that there are an infinite amount of people who could read my journal but not
necessarily that all of them will.
Example: Either of us would be good for the job.
Note: This sentence means that it doesn’t matter which one of us gets the job: we’re both good for it.
Third, use them in questions that don’t anticipate a particular response.
Example: Did anyone come to the party?
Archaic Pronouns
Though you probably won’t use them in your writing, you may encounter archaic English pronouns in the
material you read, especially if you are reading something that quotes Shakespeare or the King
James Version of the Bible.
Writing Center
9
SMC Campus Center
621 W. Lombard St. Room 307
www.umaryland.edu/writing
410-706-7725
Archaic Personal Pronouns
Second Person Singular
Second person Plural
Subject
Thou
Ye
Object
Thee
You
Reflexive
Thyself
Yourself
Possessive Pronoun
Thine
Yours
Possessive Adjective
Thy/Thine (before vowel)
Your
Example: Whatever thou art, act well thy part.
Example: Get thee to a nunnery.
Example: Check thyself ere thou wreckest thyself.
Common Issues
For a complete discussion of issues and errors when using pronouns, please see our “Pronoun Errors”
handout.
References
Azar, B. S., & Hagen, S. A. (2009). Understanding and using English grammar. White Plains, NY: Pearson Longman.
English Relative Clause. (2013, February 28). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_relative_
clause.
Faigley, L. (2009). The little penguin handbook. New York, NY: Longman.
Howard, R.M. (2011). Writing matters. Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill.
Indefinite Pronoun. (2013, May 30). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indefinite_pronoun.
Profrom. (2013, May 6). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proform.
Writing Center
10
SMC Campus Center
621 W. Lombard St. Room 307
www.umaryland.edu/writing
410-706-7725