How would you feel if you had to repeat the same name or place while talking? This is why we have Pronouns in English to help us escape this repetitiveness by replacing nouns. One of the basic concepts of English grammar, understanding pronounce can help you prepare for English for bank, government & competitive exams. Scroll through this blog to learn about pronouns, a useful list of major types as well as examples.
What is a Pronoun?
A pronoun is simply any word that takes the place of a noun. It helps us knock out the repetitive use of names, places, people or things. For example, in a sentence like ‘Ram is out with friends and Ram will be back before dawn’, using a pronoun can replace the second use of ‘Ram’ in the latter part of the sentence. So, the correct sentence would be: Ram is out with friends and he will be back before dawn.
Pronouns replace nouns in a sentence and can be in singular or plural form or at the place of the subject, object, indirect object, and more.
Also read: Prepositions
Types of Pronouns with Example
There are 7 main types of pronouns and are as follows:
- Personal Pronouns
- Possessive Pronouns
- Reflexive Pronouns
- Indefinite Pronouns
- Interrogative Pronouns
- Relative Pronouns
- Demonstrative Pronouns
How to Use Pronouns?
Let’s understand each type of pronoun in detail:
| Pronoun | Usage | Example |
| Personal | Replace proper nouns like names and things I always keep a book with me. We will be going to the park. | He and him She and her I and me They and them We and us |
| Possessive | Indicate ownership or possession of something are known as possessive pronouns This book belongs to me. | My, your, its, his, her, our, their and whose |
| Reflexive | Describe a course of action carried out by someone on their own. This type is used when the subject and verb are the same. He wrote himself a letter. She can do makeup all by herself. They can go to the amusement park themselves. | Use -self in the end Myself Himself Ourselves |
| Indefinite | Represent countable and uncountable nouns Bring some snacks upstairs. Everyone is present in the class today. | Some, other, none, one, anybody, everybody, and no one |
| Interrogative | Used as questions Where are the policemen? Who are you? | Who, what, which, whose |
| Relative | Indicate a relative clause or connect a clause with the sentence are relative pronouns This is the dish that was cooked by Sandhya. Which are the best books for gate? | What, who, whom, that, which, this |
| Demonstrative | Used to describe a thing in singular or plural form. These cannot be understood without reference or context These are beautiful clothes. This is a beautiful house. | That, this, these and those |
Also Read: Active & Passive Voice
3 Cases of Pronouns
The cases are classified into three categories, i.e. subjective, objective and possessive pronouns cases.
- Subjective pronouns case describes the subject and its complements
- Objective pronouns case aligns with objectives of verbs and prepositions
- The possessive pronouns case is suitable for describing ownership
| Subjective Pronouns | Objective Pronouns | Possessive Pronouns |
| I | Me | My, Mine |
| We | Us | Our, Ours |
| He | Him | His |
| She | Her | Her |
| They | Them | Theirs |
| Who | whom | whose |
Also Read: Figures of Speech
5 Common Rules of Pronouns
Now let’s take a look at the rules of pronouns:
1. Use plural pronouns when two singular nouns are connected with ‘And’
- Sanya and Priya is out with friends. (Incorrect Version)
- Sanya and Priya are out with their friends. (Correct Version)
2. Singular Pronouns should be used when singular nouns are connected by ‘either, or, neither, nor’
- I can’t choose between these two. Neither of them are delicious. (Incorrect)
- I can’t choose between these two. Neither of them is delicious. (Correct)
3. Objective Pronouns cases should be used after the words ‘let’,’ but’,’ expect’ &’ between’
- Everyone sang except I on the annual day (Incorrect Version)
- Everyone sang except me on the annual day (correct version)
4. Pronouns used before verbs should be in the nominative case and when used after verbs should be in the objective case.
- I am speaking to him.
- We are going to the park.
5. Personal nouns when replacing the nouns should be according to the nouns or agree with them.
- She loves his baby boy.
- She loves her baby boy.
Also Read: English Grammar Tenses Rule with Examples
Pronoun Worksheet
Here is a pronoun worksheet for you to practice:
Worksheet 1
Worksheet 2
- After calling you & ____ (I/me) must discuss a few matters.
- I took Sonia’s doll from ____ (she/her)
- What did ___ (them/they) do about the crime rate in the city?
- Kids are colouring in ____ (their/them) books.
- ____ (they/ them) are wearing black for the party
- Sonali is helping _____ (she/her) friends with homework.
- Nayan is out,____ (his/him) paper is due tomorrow.
- ____ (they/them) finished their homework.
- Did she see ___ (us/we) sneaking out?
- Where do ____ (you/your) want to go?
Answer
- I
- Her
- They
- Their
- They
- Her
- His
- They
- Us
- You
FAQs
Whom, whose and who
Possessive pronouns indicate ownership in the statements.
Indefinite pronouns replace uncountable and countable nouns in the statement.
Proper pronouns are used to replace proper nouns.
Interrogative pronouns are used in questions.
Subjective, objective and possessive pronouns cases.
We hope this blog has helped you to understand everything related to pronouns. Preparing for English proficiency tests like IELTS or TOEFL? Our Leverage Live mentors are here to provide you with the best preparation guidance to achieve your dream score! Sign up for a free demo session with Leverage Edu now!
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