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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