Basic English Grammar - Pronoun

Basic English Grammar - Pronoun

Pronoun: The pronoun is a word used in place of a noun in order to avoid repetition of the letter. E.g. I, we, you, she, he, who, they, themselves, it, her, him, me, us.

Kinds of Pronoun:

1.) Personal Pronouns: Word used in place of nouns referring to persons. E.g. I, we, you, he, she, it, they.

Per. Pronoun         Subject    Object     Progressive Adj.   Possessives Pro.

(a.) First Person   -      I / we     me / us        my / our                mine / ours

(b.) Second Person -   You         you              your                      yours

(c.) Third Person -  She/He/It   her/him/it     her/his/its              hers/his

 Third Per.(Plural) -    They        them             their                     theirs   

2.) Demonstrative Pronouns: Words used for nouns to point out subjects. E.g. This, that, these, those. 

(a.) This is my book.           (b.) That is her house.

3.) Relative Pronouns: Words used for nouns to express functions relating to who, which, whose, that, whom.

(a.) The book that I bought is very costly.

(b.) The man who has just entered the room is my friend.

4.) Interrogative Pronouns: Words used for nouns to ask questions. E.g. who, what, whose, which, whom.

(a.) Whom did you meet?

(b.) Who took my bag?

(c.) Whose books are these?

5.) Indefinite Pronouns: Words used for nouns in vague (non-specific), and general meaning. E.g. everybody, nobody, either, neither, all, much, each, others, another, several, etc.

6.) Reflexive Pronouns: Words used as forms of Personal pronouns for emphasis (significance). E.g. myself, ourselves, himself, yourself, themselves.

7.) Distributive Pronouns: Words used for individuals and objects referring to them as once at a time. E.g. either, neither, each, every, none, anyone.

(a.) Either of the two sisters is staying here.

(b.) Neither of his arms is defective.

(c.) You can talk to each boy.

(d.) You can take either room.

8.) Reciprocal Pronouns: Words used to point out mutual relationship. E.g. each other, one another.

(a.) Both the brothers love each other.

(b.) Indians should not fight with one another.

Rules of Pronouns: 

1.) Rule I: When the subject of the verb is the receiver of the action, the action is said to be reflected. Such verbs are used reflexively. E.g. avail, reconcile, amuse, resign, pride, adjust, apply, exert, avenge, revenge, enjoy.

(a.) You should avail yourself, of every chance in life.

(b.) Incorrect: The former DM acquitted very efficiently.

        Correct: The former DM acquitted himself very efficiently.

(c.) Incorrect: They enjoyed during summer vacation.

        Correct: They enjoyed themselves during summer vacation.

2.) Rule II: The following verbs are not used reflexively. E.g. keep, stop, turn, qualify, move, rest, hide.

(a.) Incorrect: He has qualified himself for the post. (Drop himself)

        Correct: He has qualified for the post.

(b.) Incorrect: He hid himself in the room. (Drop himself)

        Correct: He hid in the room.

3.) Rule III: A reflexive pronoun can't act as a subject or object of a verb unless it is preceded by pronoun or noun concerned.

(a.) Incorrect: Myself will see to it that you get your share of property.

        Correct: I will see to it that you get you share of property.

(b.) Incorrect: Yourself and he reached there in time.(Change yourself to you)

        Correct: You and he reached there in time.

(c.) Incorrect: Raj will do it for myself and my sister.(Change 'myself' into 'me')

        Correct: Raj will do it for me and my sister.

4.) Rule IV: The verb 'to be' should be followed by subjective form when the complement is pronoun.

(a.) Incorrect: Was it her who did it for you? (Change 'her' into 'she')

       Correct: Was it she who did it for you?

(b.) Incorrect: It is me who have brought you home. (Change 'me' into 'I')

       Correct: It is I who have brought you home.

5.) Rule V: Verbs and Prepositions are followed by objectives case of a pronoun.

(a.) Incorrect: Between you and I Suhani is intelligent. (Say 'me')

       Correct: Between you and me Suhani is intelligent.

(b.) Incorrect: Let they go. (Say 'them')

       Correct: Let them go.

6.) Rule VI (a.): Either, neither, each other - are used in speaking of two persons or things.

  Rule VI (b.): Anyone, none, one another - are used while referring to more than two person.

(a.) Incorrect: Indians should never fight with each other.

        Correct: Indians should never fight with one another. 

(b.) Incorrect: Either of his four sons has sold his property after his death.

        Correct: Anyone of his for sons has sold his property after his death.

(c.) Incorrect: Anyone of his eyes is defective.

        Correct: Either of his eyes is defective.

(d.) Incorrect: None of his arms was wounded in the accident.

        Correct: Neither of his arms was wounded in the accident.

7.) Rule VII: Both should be followed by 'and'. Negative is avoided with Both.

(a.) Incorrect: Both of them are not going there.

        Correct: Neither of them is not going there.

8.) Rule VIII: 'Which' is used in place of 'Who' when we are referring to a choice between two or more than two things or persons.

(a.) Incorrect: Who is your father in the crowd? 

        Correct: Which is your father in the crowd?

(b.) Incorrect: Of the two sisters who is more intelligent?

        Correct: Of the two sisters which is more intelligent?

9.) Rule IX: We don't use noun after possessive case of a pronoun.

(a.) This book is mine = This is my book. 

(b.) This shirt is yours = This is your shirt.

(c.) Our is a populous country = Ours is a populous country.

10.) Rule X: The relative pronoun should be expressed according to its relation with the verb of the adjective clause. Pronoun 'Who' is used as a subject of a verb of adjective clause and 'Whom' is used as an object of a verb of adjective clause.

(a.) Incorrect: He was talking of the woman who, he said, he met in America.

       Correct: He was talking to the woman whom, he said, he met in America.

(b.) Incorrect: She is the kind of lady whom, every body know, is intelligent.

      Correct: She is the kind of lady who, every body knows, is intelligent.

11.) Rule XI: The use of the 'same' as pronoun is wrong.

(a.) Incorrect: I shall give you a book and the same is very useful.

      Correct: I shall give you a book and it is very useful.

(b.) Incorrect: He bought a house and is living in the same.

      Correct: He bought a house and is living in it.