Pronoun is a grammatical substitute for noun. It avoids repetition of same noun and maintain natural flow in sentences. Understanding types of pronouns in English grammar is utmost important as they play all the grammatical roles that nouns have like subject, object, complement, etc. Personal, possessive, reflexive, relative, demonstrative, indefinite, reciprocal, intensive and interrogative, etc. are the major types of pronouns that I’m going deal through “Pronouns: ‘meaning’ ‘role’ and examples”.
Classification of major types of pronouns
On the basis of role, purposes, usage, functions and meanings, pronouns are classified as,
- 1.Personal pronouns: He, she, it, they, I, we,You
- Indefinite pronouns: Everyone, All, none, Many, Whatever, Any, anyone, anything, anybody, anytime, One, Somebody, something.
- Reflexive and emphatic pronouns: Myself, Herself, Himself, Themselves, Yourself.
- Distributive pronouns: Either, Neither, Each Every
- Reciprocal pronouns: Each other –two people, One another –more than two people
- Demonstrative pronouns: This, That, These, Those
- Relative pronouns: That, What, Which, Who, Whose, Whom
- Interrogative pronouns: Which, What, Who, Whom, Whose
- Intensive pronouns: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves.
- Dummy pronouns: There It, etc.
You know that pronoun is a word used as a substitute to function what noun does in the given sentence. Being the part of basic grammar, it has many usages and roles to play with rest of the parts of speech to construct sentences. So, proper grasp of this element is inevitable to learn ways and means to use it properly.
- Alex is a talented student. He always works hard.
Here, In the given sentence, pronoun carries the exact information of noun like number, gender, etc.
In the above example, “He” personal pronoun carries exact the same information as Alex does.
It helps to avoid the repetition of same noun multiple times in the same paragraph. Besides, it has better flexibility in use about wide range of nouns.
If we use “Alex” in repetition in the following sentences, it will not make natural sense.
Understanding major types of pronouns in English grammar
1.Personal pronouns: meaning, types, role, and examples
Among the various categories of pronouns, personal pronouns are most important due to intensive use in the daily expressions.
At the same time, personal pronouns are also used to represent animals and other things as well. The use of this pronoun is determined by person, number and gender of the nouns.
Personal pronouns are categorized based on three primary features:
- Person,
- Number,
- Case.
Understanding these categories is essential for effective communication.
Persons of the personal pronouns
First person talk about self, whereas second person indicates who is being addressed directly. Third Person personal pronouns talk about people or thing that is not speaker like first or second person.
- Like football to watch.
- My interest is more in painting.
- We really did well this time.
- Our chances are great to be winner.
The first category, person, includes three distinct classifications:
- First person,
- Second person,
- Third person.
First person: I, we
The first-person pronouns (e.g., “I,” “we”) refer to the speaker or speakers, allowing individuals to express their own thoughts or feelings.
Second person: you
- You are so lucky man that you have got this chance.
- I think you don’t know how to play football
The second person (e.g., “you”) addresses the listener or listeners directly, enabling interaction between parties.
Third person: he, she, it, they
- He is a gifted player.
- He teaches in a simple manner.
- She” personal pronoun is singular third person used for feminine gender.
- She is my favorite teacher.
- She sings melodiously.
Finally, third-person pronouns (e.g., “he,” “she,” “it,” “they”) refer to individuals or groups other than the speaker or listener, facilitating discussion about others.
The second feature of personal pronouns: number
It is number, which can be singular or plural. Singular pronouns denote one entity (such as “I” or “he”), while plural pronouns indicate more than one (like “we” or “they”).
Singular personal pronouns: I, he, she, it,
- He is so optimistic
- Yesterday, he assured his mother about selection.
- She is really lucky to have such parents. (Third person singular
Plural personal pronouns: we, they,
- They are curious to know the outcomes.
- Neutral personal pronouns: they, their, them
- It looks very strange for me
Third property of personal pronouns: case
- Subjective: I, “you,” “he,” “she,” “it,” “we,” and “they.”
- Objective: me,” “you,” “him,” “her,” “it,” “us,” and “them
- Possessive: my,” “your,” “his,” “her,” “its,” “our,” and “their.”
Subjective case pronouns function as the subject of a verb, while objective case pronouns act as the object of a verb or preposition. Possessive pronouns indicate ownership.
Explanation of three types of personal pronouns based on cases
- Subjective pronouns
- Objective. Pronouns
- Possesive pronouns
Each of these categories serves a distinct grammatical function and plays a vital role in sentence structure.
1. Subjective pronouns: ,” I”you,” “he,” “she,” “it,” “we,” and “they.”
These pronouns act as the subject of a sentence, meaning they perform the action of the verb.
2. Objective pronouns: me,” “you,” “him,” “her,” “it,” “us,” and “them.
On the other hand, These pronouns are used as the object of a verb or preposition, receiving the action rather than performing it.
3. Possessive pronouns: my,” “your,” “his,” “her,” “its,” “our,” and “their. These pronouns indicate ownership or possession.
By categorizing personal pronouns into subjective, objective, and possessive forms, it becomes clearer how they are used in sentences,
2. Emphatic and reflexive pronouns: meaning, role, structure and examples
Personal pronoun + self = Emphatic pronoun ( for singular pronouns)
Personal pronoun + selves = Emphatic pronoun for plural)
- We ourselves are keen to attend all the guests.
- He himself is responsible for his own failure.
- She herself cleaned this entire house.
- I myself prepared all these recipes.
- You yourself proved once again by clinching this title.
Pronouns provide extra meaning about gender, number, person, case etc. These pronouns enrich meaning of the sentence. Give emphasis on specific noun or doer in sentence. And revert the action on doer or subject.
Reflexive pronouns function as direct or indirect object of the sentence. Emphatic pronouns stress subject of the sentence, while reflexive pronouns emphasize on the verb.
Emphatic pronouns show action is done by doer itself.They are also called as intensive pronouns. Reflexive pronouns stress on verb instead subject like emphatic.
Examples of emphatic pronouns
- My + self = Myself
- Our + selves = Ourselves
- Your +self/selves = yourself/ yourselves
- Him + self = himself
- Her + self = Herself
- It + self = itself
- Them + selves = themselves
Reflexive pronouns use and examples
Structure is same for reflexive pronouns like emphatic pronouns. But, unlike “emphatic pronouns” Reflexive pronouns are placed after the main verb.
Personal pronoun + self = Emphatic pronoun (for singular pronouns)
Personal pronoun + selves = Emphatic pronoun for plural)
Examples of reflexive pronouns
- We enjoyed ourselves in bachelor’s party last night.
- He involved himself in social activities.
- It injured itself while fighting with its siblings.
- Government passed itself new farm bill without consulting with farmers’ unions.
- Rescue team took itself some praiseworthy decisions which saved hundreds of lives.
- The Captain of the team blamed himself for the disillusionment of spectators.
3. Relative pronouns: meaning, role, use, and examples
Relative pronouns such as which, that, who are used to join two relative clauses by relating antecedents. They relate things, persons, or animals to add extra information to main clause.
Which, that, and what” are preferred to relate and refer things and animals. While “who” Is used to refer person.
- Who : Whom, Whose,
- Which,
- That,
- What
Usages of relative pronouns
The same forms of relative pronouns are used to singular and plural, masculine and feminine.
For person, in the subjective or nominative case, “that and who” pronouns are used.
- This is the bike that we used for riding. (for thing)
- I always remember the people who helped us in need. (for person)
Whereas, in the possessive case only whose is preferred. Apart from this, in the objective case, whom or who along that is used.
This pattern also functions in the same way like relative pronouns.
- Who + so + ever = whosoever
- Which + ever = whichever
- What + so + ever = whatsoever
- Who + ever = whosoever
Examples of relative pronouns
Who, whom, whose are used for Nominative, Objective and Possessive cases respectively.
- Last week, I saw a movie, which was really inspiring. ( non-restructive clause)
- I can’t forget that person who helped me in hospital.
- Tree sheds leaves which release more water.
Use and role of who and whose”
For person, in the subjective or nominative case, that and who pronouns are used.
Whereas, in the possessive case only whose is preferred. Apart from this, in the objective case, whom or who along that is used.
- He is the man who was complaining. (subject)
- He is the man whose pocket was lost. (possessive)
- He is the man whom we saw begging. (object)
“What” pronoun is commonly used for things in all cases – subjective, objective, and possessive.
Using “Which” relative pronoun
“Which” pronoun is also commonly used for things and animals.
Moreover, who, generally, used for person, but sometimes, it also preferred for animals.
- There are a lot of animals which suffer from water scarcity in summer.
4. Reciprocal pronouns: meaning and usages
Each other: relationship between two people
One another: relationship between more than two people
It is essential to multiple subjects to make use of reciprocal pronouns in a sentence.
Reciprocal pronouns denotes the mutual action, or refers two or more than two persons or things who are the subjects of the same verb. In short, used to show mutual relationship between two or more subjects.
Examples of reciprocal pronouns
- India and Russia decided to help each other in energy security.
- I’m sure Mike and Nikki are not going to live with each other.
- The players greet one another after winning a
- match.
- People congrat one another on the eve of independent day.
5. Interrogative pronouns: meaning, role, and examples
Simply, interrogative pronouns are used either to ask questions or do the functions of nouns in the sentence. Mainly, to ask direct, indirect, and other types of questions, the role of interrogative pronouns is vital to study.
Interrogative pronouns for person(s), thing(s)
- Who — as subject in nominative case
- Whom — as object in objective case
- Whose — as possessive case.
- What — subject/object for things
- Which — subject/object for restrictive sense.
- Let me know. Who is there? (about unknown person as a subject)
- Anyone tell me. Whose is this luggage?( (as a subject)
- Whom do you help? (as object)
- Which is your choice? (as subject for both person or thing)
- What do you request me to favour? (as object for things)
In all the above examples, who, whose, whom, what, and which do the functions of nouns.
How to use interrogative pronoun in sentence
First of all, before understanding the role of such pronouns, you should know the difference among other question words.
- Why — cause
- How — manner
- When — time
- Where — place
- How often — for frequency
- How many — quantity
All the above mentioned question words do the functions of contextual factors or adverbs. Hence, whenever these are used, stand for adverb or do the functions of adverb.
But, who, whose, whom, what, which play the role of nouns in the form of question word.
Above both are question words but one plays the functions of nouns and other adverbs.
- 1.Who is ready for picnic? (Direct question)
- Please tell me whose this bike is? (Indirect question)
- What is your plan? (Direct question)
- Do you know what they are planning to do? (Indirect question)
Forms of Compound interrogative pronouns
- Whichever
- Whatever
- Whoever
- Whomever etc.
6. Demonstrative pronouns: meaning, role, examples
Demonstrative pronouns refer to thing or person that is either near or further away. That, those, this, these are Examples of of demonstrative pronouns.
Every” demonstrative pronouns refers each person or thing in a group of two.
Neither” demonstrative pronoun denotes not one nor other out of two things or person.
- Really, I like that/this. (Singular demonstrative)
- My players are better than those. (Plural demonstrative pronouns)
- These are some examples of math. (Plural)
- This is so beautiful that. (Singular)
- All are the above examples of singular and plural demonstrative pronouns.
7. Indefinite pronouns: meaning, role, and examples
Pronoun used to replace nouns like people or things in more general ways without definite mention are known as indefinite pronouns.
Following are the pronouns that are used as singular or plural.
Singular indefinite pronouns for person or thing
- Each,
- either
- Each would be ready to go.
- Either should be considered.
- Another is lost the game.
Other, another –are known as singular indefinite pronouns for both person or thing
Plural indefinite pronouns about both person or thing
- Both,
- few
- many,
- several
- Both are learners.
- Few are in favour of proposal
- Many were present there.
Indefinite pronouns for general category that includes plural and singular
- None,
- some
- Most,
- all
- Any,
- neither, etc.
- All are busy now.
- None is perfect.
- Most of the players were perfect.
Indefinite pronouns for singular people only
Importantly, while making indefinite pronouns, you should make compound word by adding either –body or –one to …
- Any + body,
- Every + body,
- No + body,
- Some + body,
- Anyone,
- Someone,
- Everyone
- Everyone
- Anyone could win the game.
- Someone is there to help.
- Nobody will give up.
- For things only but singular
- Everything is ok.
- Anything can happen now.
and adding + ever to relative wh + questions like whoever, whosoever.
Indefinite pronouns for singular things only
Like –body, here –thing is added to neutral indefinite.
- Anything,
- Something,
- Everything,
- Nothing,
- Little,
- much,
- enough,
- such,
- this,
- whatever etc. are examples of indefinite pronouns for things only.
These are most used common types of pronouns everyone use in day to day communication. If you go through this piece of paper, I will assure that you will use these pronouns comfortably.