Notes on Pronoun
Definitions:
Pronoun is a word used in place of a noun or another pronoun. A pronoun is used as a substitute for a noun or pronoun.
- Etymology: Pro (forward; acting as a substitute) + noun
Antecedent is the word (noun or pronoun) that a pronoun stands for.
- Etymology: ante (before) + cede (go)
- Usually the antecedent is the noun or pronoun that comes before the pronoun.
Examples:
John lost his baseball bat.
Antecedent . . . . . pronoun
The student forgot to do her homework.
Antecedent pronoun
Personal Pronouns
Person |
NUMBER |
|
|
Singular |
Plural |
First Person |
I (me, my, mine) |
we, (us, our, ours) |
Second Person |
you (your, yours) |
you (your, yours) |
Third Person |
he (his, him) |
they (them, their, theirs) |
Types of Pronouns:
Type of pronoun |
Definition |
Example |
reflexive |
Add –self or selves to a personal pronoun. Reflexives are used when it is as an object when its antecedent is the subject |
John cut himself. |
intensive |
A reflexive pronoun that is used to add emphasis to a noun or pronoun. |
I myself prefer classical music. |
demonstrative |
points out specific persons, places, things, or ideas |
this, these |
indefinite |
refer to unidentified persons, places, things, or ideas |
each, few, all, either, some, everyone |
interrogative |
used to start questions |
who, what |
relative |
introduces a noun clause or adjective clause |
who, that, which |
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