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Personal Pronouns
A pronoun is a word that takes the
place of one or more nouns.
The most frequently used pronouns
are called personal pronouns. They
refer to people or things.
Subject Pronouns
A subject pronoun is used as the
subject of a sentence.
She is my best friend.
It is my dog.
Does he know the answer?
You and I will meet later.
Object Pronouns
An object pronoun is used as the
direct/indirect object or the object
of a preposition.
Give the book to me. (OP)
The teacher gave her a reprimand. (IO)
I will tell you a story. (IO)
Susan read it to them. (DO, OP)
List of Personal Pronouns
Singular
Plural
Subject Pronouns
I
you
he, she, it
we
you
they
Object Pronouns
me
you
him, her, it
us
you
them
PRONOUNS AND ANTECEDENTS
Read the following sentences. Can you
tell to whom the word She refers?
Arachne competes with Athena. She
weaves skillfully.
The sentence is not clear because the word
She could refer to either Arachne or
Athena. Sometimes you must repeat a
noun or rewrite the sentence.
Arachne competes with Athena. Athena
weaves skillfully.
PRONOUNS AND ANTECEDENTS
The noun or group of words to which
pronoun refers to is called its
antecedent.
When you use a pronoun, you should be sure that
it refers to its antecedent clearly. Be
especially careful when you use the pronoun
they. Read the following sentence.
They have several books about Greek
myths at the library.
Continue
PRONOUNS AND ANTECEDENTS
The meaning of They is unclear. The
sentence can be improved by
rewriting it in the following
manner.
Several books about myths are
available at the library.
PRONOUNS AND ANTECEDENTS
When using pronouns, you must also
make sure that they agree with
their antecedents in number
(singular or plural) and gender.
The gender of a noun may be
masculine (male), feminine
(female), or neuter (referring to
things). Notice how the pronouns
on the next slide agree with their
antecedents.
Continue
PRONOUNS AND ANTECEDENTS
1. The myth of Arachne is amusing. I
enjoyed it.
2. The bystanders see Athena. They
watch her at the loom.
In the first sentence, myth is the
antecedent of the pronoun it.
In the second sentence, bystanders is
the antecedent of They, and Athena
is the antecedent of her.
What is the antecedent of the underlined
pronoun in the following sentence?
(Choose all that apply)
A long time ago, some brides and grooms
used pretzels in their wedding ceremonies,
for it was believed that pretzels brought
good luck.
a. Time
b. Bride
c. Groom
d. Pretzels
e. ceremonies
Answer B & C
A long time ago, some brides and grooms
used pretzels in their wedding ceremonies,
for it was believed that pretzels brought
good luck.
a. Time
b. Bride
c. Groom
d. Pretzels
e. ceremonies
What is the antecedent of the underlined
pronoun in the following sentence? (Choose
any that apply)
Pretzels continue to be a favorite snack for
Americans, but potato chips and tortilla
chips are still more popular with them.
a. Pretzels
b. snack
c. Americans
d. Potato chips
e. Tortilla chips
Answer C
Pretzels continue to be a favorite snack for
Americans, but potato chips and tortilla
chips are still more popular with them.
a. Pretzels
b. snack
c. Americans
d. Potato chips
e. Tortilla chips
Using Pronouns Correctly
Subject pronouns are used in
compound subjects, and object
pronouns are used in compound
objects.
He and Carmen wrote a report on the
subject. (Not Him and Carmen)
Tell John and me about Hercules.
(Not John and I)
Continue
Using Pronouns Correctly
A preposition takes an object, just as
many verbs do. The object of a
preposition can be simple or
compound. In either case, use an
object pronoun as the object of the
preposition.
Lee read a famous myth to me.
Lee read a famous Roman myth
to John and me.
Continue
Using Pronouns Correctly
If you are not sure of which form of the
pronoun to use, say the sentence aloud
with only the pronoun as the subject or
the object. Your ear will often tell you
which form is correct.
Whenever the pronoun I is part of a
compound subject, it should always be
placed after the other parts of the subject.
Similarly, when the objective pronoun me
is part of a compound object, it should go
after the other parts of the object. Continue
Using Pronouns Correctly
Lee and I read some ancient
Roman myths. (Not I and Lee)
If you are unsure of which pronoun to use, cross
out the compound part and say the sentence
aloud.
Lee and I read some ancient Roman myths.
Mythology interests Lee and me.
(Not me and Lee).
Continue
Using Pronouns Correctly
In formal writing and speech use a
subject pronoun after a linking
verb.
The subject pronoun that follows a linking verb is called the
predicate pronoun (like the predicate nominative).
The writer of this report was she.
It is I who will drive you.
Was and is are linking verbs
and should be followed by a subjective pronoun. Continue
Choose the correct form of the
pronoun in parenthesis.
John and (I, me) know something about
tropical rain forests.
(Would you say, “I know something” or “me
know something”?)
I is the correct answer.
You do…Choose the correct
form of the pronoun in
parenthesis.
My biology teacher, Mrs. Green, and (him, he)
will take us to the marina to study the habits
of harbor seals.
Answer
My biology teacher, Mrs. Green, and (him, he)
will take us to the marina to study the habits of
harbor seals.
Choose the correct pronoun.
Mrs. Green learned a great deal there;
therefore, Mrs. Green and (we, us) will
benefit from such an experience.
Answer
Mrs. Green learned a great deal there;
therefore, Mrs. Green and (we, us) will
benefit from such an experience.
Possessive Pronouns
A possessive pronoun is a
pronoun that shows who or what
has something. A possessive
pronoun may take the place of a
possessive noun.
Read the following sentences. Notice
the possessive nouns and the
possessive pronouns that replace
them.
Continue
Possessive Pronouns
Homer’s story is famous.
His story is famous.
This story is Homer’s.
This story is his.
Possessive nouns are in green. Possessive pronouns are
in red.
Continue
Possessive Pronouns
Possessive pronouns have two forms. One form is used
before a noun. The other form is used alone.
Used
before
nouns
Used
alone
Singular
Plural
my
your
his, her, its
mine
yours
his, hers, its
our
your
their
ours
yours
theirs
Continue
Possessive Pronouns
Possessive pronouns are not written with apostrophes. The
pronoun its, for example, shows possession. The word
it’s, on the other hand, is a contraction of it is.
Read
the following sentences. Notice the meaning of the
words in red type.
Its central character is Odysseus.
(possessive pronoun)
It’s about the adventures of Odysseus.
(contraction of It is)
Choose the correct possessive
form. Answer all three now.
1. That project is belongs to you; this one is
(mine, mines).
2. We know (their, theirs) is the best project.
3. Have you and (yours, your) classmates
finished yet?
Answer
1. That project is belongs to you; this one is
(mine, mines).
2. We know (their, theirs) is the best project.
3. Have you and (yours, your) classmates
finished yet?
How would MAP might ask a personal
pronoun question? YIKES
• Which of the following sentences is complex (it
has both a dependent and independent clause) and
uses a plural, objective personal pronoun?
A. Ms. Wells and he visited the museum last night.
B. Although you told them about your trouble, Casey and Ralph could
not help you.
C. It will be a traumatic experience when Florida State loses.
D.
That boy never obeys, and he certainly is not nice.
HINT…Eliminate the simple and compound sentences first.
Then
examine the pronouns in the complex sentences. Which one of the
complex sentences has a plural, objective personal pronoun? That
sentence is your answer!
And the answer is…B
A. Ms. Wells and he visited the museum last night. –
Eliminate this simple sentence.
B. Although you told them about your trouble,
Casey and Ralph could not help you. (Complex
sentence…them is plural, objective
pronoun…..ANSWER!!!!!!)
C. It will be a traumatic experience when Florida
State loses. (Complex sentence...the personal
pronoun is singular and subjective…NOT THE
ANSWER!!!)
D. That boy never obeys, and he certainly is not
nice. – Eliminate this compound sentence.
Which of the following sentences is
simple and uses a singular possessive
masculine pronoun?
a. My biology teacher is Mrs. Green.
b. Mrs. Green gave Ted a B on his project, but
he felt that his project deserved an A.
c. His project on mold spores was truly the best
one.
d. Mrs. Green refused to reconsider Ted’s grade
since she felt that his father did the majority
of the work.
Which of the following sentences is
simple and uses a singular possessive
masculine pronoun? C
a. My biology teacher is Mrs. Green.
Simple but
my is not masculine
b. Mrs. Green gave Ted a B on his project, but
he felt that his project deserved an A.
compound with a singular masculine pronoun
c. His project on mold spores was truly the best
one. Simple with a singular masculine pronoun
d. Mrs. Green refused to reconsider Ted’s grade
since she felt that his father did the majority
of the work. Complex with a singular masculine pronoun
Indefinite Pronouns
An indefinite pronoun is a pronoun that
does not refer to a particular person,
place, or thing.
Does anyone know the story of Midas?
Most indefinite pronouns are either singular
or plural.
Continue
Some Indefinite Pronouns
Singular
another
anybody
anyone
anything
each
either
everybody
everyone
everything
much
neither
nobody
Plural
no one
nothing
one
somebody
someone
something
both
few
many
others
several
All, any, most, none and some can be
singular or plural, depending on the phrase
that follows them.
Continue
All, Any, Most, None, and Some
• For the pronouns that can be singular or
plural, determine if the object of the
preposition can be measured or if it can be
counted.
• Measured…singular verbs will be used for
correct pronoun/verb agreement.
• Counted…plural verbs will be used for
correct pronoun/verb agreement
Measurable…Singular
• All of the water has drained out of the tub.
All (of the water) has drained out of the tub.
Water can be measured and not counted;
therefore, you must use a singular verb like
has.
SINGULAR VERBS END IN -S
Countable…Plural
• None of the water spouts work, and I’m
thirsty!
• None (of the water spouts) work…
• I can count water spouts; therefore a plural
verb must be used. Remember that plural
verbs DO NOT end in –S.
What can you measure? What can
you count?
Measurable (singular)
• (Make a list with your
partners.)
Countable (plural)
• (Make a list with your
partners.)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Sugar
Hair
Freedom
milk
Sugar cubes
Hair brushes
Freedom riders
Milk cartons
Some Indefinite Pronouns
When an indefinite pronoun is used as the
subject, the verb must agree with it in number.
Everyone discusses the plot. (singular)
Both talk about King Minos. (plural)
All of mythology is about beliefs and ideals. (singular)
All of the myths are about beliefs and ideals. (plural)
Singular verbs end in –s; plural verbs do
not!
Continue
Some Indefinite Pronouns
Possessive pronouns often have indefinite pronouns
as their antecedents. In such cases, the pronouns
must agree in number. Note that in the first
example the intervening prepositional phrase does
not affect the agreement.
Each of the characters has his or her motive.
Several have conflicts with their rivals.
Continue
Choose the correct word based on the
number of the indefinite pronoun.
1. Each of the female runners in the race
bettered (her, their) previous best time.
2. Not everyone should include a four-year
college in (his or her, their) future.
3. Both of the girls told (her, their) parents
about the dance.
Choose the correct word based on the
number of the indefinite pronoun.
1. Each of the female runners in the race
bettered (her, their) previous best time.
2. Not everyone should include a four-year
college in (his or her, their) future.
3. Both of the girls told (her, their) parents
about the dance.
Choose the correct word based on the
number of the indefinite pronoun.
1. The team has chosen Waldo as (its, their)
mascot.
2. Many of Jack’s errors (reveal, reveals) his lack
of practice.
3. Can anybody do this worksheet correctly
without (his, their) handbook?
Choose the correct word based on the
number of the indefinite pronoun.
1. The team has chosen Waldo as (its, their)
mascot. Team is a collective/singular subject.
2. Many of Jack’s errors (reveal, reveals) his lack
of practice.
3. Can anybody do this worksheet correctly
without (his, their) handbook?
Reflexive Pronouns
A reflexive pronoun refers to a noun or another
pronoun and indicates that the same person or
thing is involved. Reflexive pronouns are formed
by adding –self or –selves to certain personal and
possessive pronouns
The woman found herself a book of folktales.
Reflexive Pronoun
Continue
Reflexive Pronouns
Singular
myself
yourself
himself, herself, itself
Plural
ourselves
yourselves
themselves
Sometimes hisself is mistakenly used for
himself and theirselves for themselves.
Avoid using hisself and theirselves.
Continue
Intensive Pronouns
An intensive pronoun is a pronoun that adds
emphasis to a noun or pronoun already named.
George himself bought a copy of American Tall
Tales.
He paid for the book himself.
Continue
Is the underlined pronoun
intensive or reflexive?
1. I will climb that mountain myself.
2. I myself will climb that mountain.
3. I will climb that mountain by myself.
Is the underlined pronoun
intensive or reflexive?
1. I will climb that mountain myself.
Intensive
2. I myself will climb that mountain.
Intensive
3. I will climb that mountain by myself.
Reflexive