Pronouns: Complete Grammar Guide
Master the Art of Pronoun Usage
Cases • Agreement • Clarity • Advanced Rules
A comprehensive educational presentation covering all aspects of pronoun grammar, from basic cases to advanced usage rules.
40 slides • Interactive quizzes • Professional examples
What Are Pronouns?
Pronouns are words that replace nouns or noun phrases to avoid repetition and create smoother, more efficient communication.
Key Functions
- Replace nouns: "John went to John's car" → "John went to his car"
- Avoid repetition: Make writing more elegant and readable
- Create cohesion: Link ideas across sentences
- Maintain flow: Keep communication natural and smooth
Without Pronouns (Repetitive):
"Sarah told Mark that Sarah would meet Mark at Mark's office because Sarah needed to discuss Sarah's project with Mark."
With Pronouns (Smooth):
"Sarah told Mark that she would meet him at his office because she needed to discuss her project with him."
Essential Grammar Foundation: Pronouns are fundamental building blocks that appear in nearly every English sentence, making their correct usage crucial for effective communication.
Types of Pronouns Overview
English has eight main categories of pronouns, each serving specific grammatical functions:
Quick Reference
- Personal: I, you, he, she, it, we, they (and their forms)
- Possessive: mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, theirs
- Reflexive: myself, yourself, himself, herself, etc.
- Intensive: same forms as reflexive, used for emphasis
- Demonstrative: this, that, these, those
- Interrogative: who, whom, whose, which, what
- Relative: who, whom, whose, which, that
- Indefinite: someone, anyone, everyone, nothing, etc.
Learning Strategy: We'll explore each type in detail, focusing on proper case usage, agreement rules, and common error patterns.
Why Pronouns Matter
Correct pronoun usage is essential for professional communication, academic writing, and clear expression.
Communication Impact
✓ Professional Writing
"The manager reviewed the reports and submitted them to her supervisor for approval."
✗ Unclear Writing
"The manager reviewed the reports and submitted the reports to the manager's supervisor for approval of the reports."
Critical Areas
- Clarity: Prevent confusion about who did what
- Conciseness: Eliminate unnecessary repetition
- Formality: Match register to audience and context
- Grammar: Avoid case errors that signal poor education
Common Problem Areas
Ambiguous Reference: "John told Mark he was promoted" (who was promoted?)
Agreement Errors: "Everyone brought their lunch" (questionable) vs. "Everyone brought his or her lunch" (traditional)
Goal: Master pronoun usage to write and speak with confidence, clarity, and grammatical precision.
Pronoun System Overview
Understanding the complete pronoun system helps you choose the right form for every situation:
Pronoun Selection Flow
(I, you, he, she)
(me, you, him, her)
(my, your, his, her)
Three Essential Questions
1. What Case?
Subjective (I)
Objective (me)
Possessive (my/mine)
2. Does it Agree?
Number (singular/plural)
Gender (he/she/they)
Person (1st/2nd/3rd)
3. Is it Clear?
Clear antecedent
No ambiguity
Logical reference
Mastery Approach: Learn the system, practice with examples, and develop intuition for correct pronoun selection in all contexts.
Pronoun Case Overview
Pronoun case indicates the grammatical function of a pronoun in a sentence. English has three cases:
Subjective Case
Function: Subject of verb
Forms: I, you, he, she, it, we, they
Example: "She runs daily."
Objective Case
Function: Object of verb/preposition
Forms: me, you, him, her, it, us, them
Example: "Call him tomorrow."
Possessive Case
Function: Shows ownership
Forms: my/mine, your/yours, his, her/hers, its, our/ours, their/theirs
Example: "That book is mine."
Case Selection Rules
| Function | Case Required | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Subject of sentence | Subjective | She arrived early. |
| Direct object | Objective | I saw her yesterday. |
| Indirect object | Objective | Give him the message. |
| Object of preposition | Objective | Between you and me. |
| Shows ownership | Possessive | This is theirs. |
| Modifying noun (ownership) | Possessive | My car needs repair. |
Memory Tip: If the pronoun is doing the action, use subjective case. If something is being done to the pronoun, use objective case.
Subjective Case
Use subjective case pronouns when the pronoun is the subject of a verb or follows a linking verb (predicate nominative).
Complete Subjective Case Table
| Person | Singular | Plural | Example (Subject) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Person | I | we | I love reading. We are studying. |
| Second Person | you | you | You seem tired. You (all) are invited. |
| Third Person | he, she, it | they | He works late. They arrived early. |
Usage Situations
1. Sentence Subject
She completed the project.
We attended the meeting.
They won the competition.
2. Predicate Nominative
The winner is she.
It was I who called.
The leaders are they.
Common Errors
✗ Incorrect
"Him and me went shopping."
"Her and Sarah are friends."
"Me and my brother play soccer."
✓ Correct
"He and I went shopping."
"She and Sarah are friends."
"My brother and I play soccer."
Test Method: Remove the other person to check: "Him went shopping" sounds wrong, so use "He and I went shopping."
Objective Case
Use objective case pronouns when the pronoun receives the action (direct object), receives something (indirect object), or follows a preposition.
Complete Objective Case Table
| Person | Singular | Plural | Example (Object) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Person | me | us | Call me later. Join us for dinner. |
| Second Person | you | you | I'll help you. We invited you (all). |
| Third Person | him, her, it | them | I saw him. We told them. |
Three Main Uses
Direct Object
Receives the action directly
"I called her."
"They invited us."
"She saw them."
Indirect Object
Receives something from the action
"Give him the book."
"Send me an email."
"Tell us the story."
Object of Preposition
Follows prepositions
"Between you and me"
"For him and her"
"With us tonight"
Preposition + Pronoun Combinations
| Preposition | Correct Forms | Common Errors |
|---|---|---|
| between | between you and me | ❌ between you and I |
| for | for him and her | ❌ for he and she |
| with | with them | ❌ with they |
| to | to us | ❌ to we |
Memory Aid: After prepositions (to, for, with, between, etc.), always use objective case pronouns.
Possessive Case
Possessive case pronouns show ownership or relationship. They have two forms: adjective form (before nouns) and independent form (standing alone).
Complete Possessive Case Table
| Person | Adjective Form | Independent Form | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Singular | my | mine | My car / The car is mine |
| 2nd Singular/Plural | your | yours | Your book / The book is yours |
| 3rd Singular (M) | his | his | His phone / The phone is his |
| 3rd Singular (F) | her | hers | Her laptop / The laptop is hers |
| 3rd Singular (N) | its | its | Its function / The function is its |
| 1st Plural | our | ours | Our house / The house is ours |
| 3rd Plural | their | theirs | Their garden / The garden is theirs |
Usage Rules
Adjective Form (Before Nouns)
"My computer is fast."
"We visited their office."
"Your presentation was excellent."
"The cat hurt its paw."
Independent Form (Standing Alone)
"That computer is mine."
"The office we visited was theirs."
"The excellent presentation was yours."
"The injured paw was its." (rare)
Critical Points
- No apostrophes: Possessive pronouns never use apostrophes (its, not it's)
- Form selection: Use adjective form before nouns, independent form when standing alone
- Its vs. It's: "its" = possessive, "it's" = it is/it has
- Whose vs. Who's: "whose" = possessive, "who's" = who is/who has
✗ Common Errors
"The dog wagged it's tail."
"Who's book is this?"
"The victory was their's."
✓ Correct Forms
"The dog wagged its tail."
"Whose book is this?"
"The victory was theirs."
Case Usage Rules
Master these essential rules for choosing the correct pronoun case in complex situations:
1. Compound Subjects and Objects
✓ Compound Subjects (Subjective)
"She and I completed the project."
"He and they are responsible."
"You and we should collaborate."
✓ Compound Objects (Objective)
"The manager called him and me."
"Between you and us, it's difficult."
"She invited them and her."
2. Appositives (Renamers)
| Situation | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Appositive to subject | Use subjective case | "The winners, she and I, received prizes." |
| Appositive to object | Use objective case | "They called the winners, her and me." |
| We/Us + noun | Match the noun's function | "We students study hard." (subject) "The teacher helped us students." (object) |
3. Comparisons
Complete the Implied Comparison
Subjective: "She is taller than I [am tall]."
Objective: "The job affected her more than me [it affected me]."
Context matters: "I like him better than she [likes him]." vs. "I like him better than her [I like her]."
4. Test Methods
Elimination Method
Remove other people:
"Him and me went" → "Him went" ❌
"He and I went" → "He went" ✓
Substitution Method
Use a clear pronoun:
"Give the book to John and ?"
"Give the book to him" → "Give it to John and him" ✓
Function Analysis
Identify the pronoun's job:
Doing action = subjective
Receiving action = objective
Showing ownership = possessive
Master Strategy: Always identify the pronoun's grammatical function first, then select the appropriate case.
Personal Pronouns
Personal pronouns refer to specific people or things and change form based on person (1st, 2nd, 3rd), number (singular, plural), and case (subjective, objective, possessive).
Complete Personal Pronoun Chart
| Person | Number | Subjective | Objective | Possessive Adj. | Possessive Ind. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | Singular | I | me | my | mine |
| Plural | we | us | our | ours | |
| Second | Singular | you | you | your | yours |
| Plural | you | you | your | yours | |
| Third | Sing. (M) | he | him | his | his |
| Sing. (F) | she | her | her | hers | |
| Sing. (N) | it | it | its | its | |
| Plural | they | them | their | theirs |
Person Categories Explained
First Person
The speaker(s)
Singular: I, me, my, mine
Plural: we, us, our, ours
Second Person
The person(s) being spoken to
Both: you, you, your, yours
(Same forms for singular and plural)
Third Person
The person(s)/thing(s) being spoken about
Sing: he/she/it forms
Plural: they, them, their, theirs
Key Pattern: Personal pronouns are the most frequently used pronouns and must agree with their antecedents in person, number, and gender.
Personal Pronoun Examples
See how personal pronouns work in context across all persons, numbers, and cases:
First Person Examples
Singular (I, me, my, mine)
Subjective: "I am studying grammar."
Objective: "The teacher helped me."
Possessive Adj: "My book is helpful."
Possessive Ind: "That book is mine."
Plural (we, us, our, ours)
Subjective: "We finished the assignment."
Objective: "She called us yesterday."
Possessive Adj: "Our team won."
Possessive Ind: "The victory is ours."
Second Person Examples
Same Forms for Singular and Plural
Subjective: "You understand the concept." / "You (all) are invited."
Objective: "I'll call you tonight." / "We appreciate you (all)."
Possessive Adj: "Your answer is correct." / "Your presentations were excellent."
Possessive Ind: "The choice is yours." / "The success is yours (all)."
Third Person Examples
| Gender/Number | Subjective | Objective | Possessive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine | He works hard. | I saw him today. | His car / It's his. |
| Feminine | She leads the team. | Call her tomorrow. | Her idea / The idea is hers. |
| Neuter | It runs smoothly. | Fix it please. | Its function / The function is its. |
| Plural | They arrived early. | We met them there. | Their plan / The plan is theirs. |
Usage Note: Modern English increasingly uses "they/them/their" for singular indefinite antecedents (e.g., "Someone left their phone") and for non-binary individuals.
Common Personal Pronoun Errors
Avoid these frequent mistakes with personal pronouns:
1. Case Errors in Compound Constructions
✗ Incorrect
"Me and Sarah went to the store."
"Him and I are friends."
"The gift was for she and I."
"Between you and I, it's difficult."
✓ Correct
"Sarah and I went to the store."
"He and I are friends."
"The gift was for her and me."
"Between you and me, it's difficult."
2. Predicate Nominative Confusion
✗ Informal/Incorrect
"It's me."
"That's him at the door."
"The winners were them."
✓ Formal/Correct
"It is I."
"That is he at the door."
"The winners were they."
3. Apostrophe Errors
✗ Incorrect
"The dog wagged it's tail."
"The book is her's."
"Our's is the blue car."
"The decision is their's."
✓ Correct
"The dog wagged its tail."
"The book is hers."
"Ours is the blue car."
"The decision is theirs."
4. Comparison Errors
| Situation | Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Than comparisons | "She's taller than me." | "She's taller than I [am]." | Complete the implied verb |
| As comparisons | "He runs as fast as me." | "He runs as fast as I [do]." | Subject of implied clause |
| We/Us + noun | "Us students need help." | "We students need help." | Subject of sentence |
Error Prevention: Always test by isolating the pronoun or completing implied constructions to check for correct case usage.
What is an Antecedent?
An antecedent is the noun or noun phrase that a pronoun refers to or replaces. The pronoun must agree with its antecedent in person, number, and gender.
Basic Antecedent-Pronoun Relationship
(Noun/Noun phrase)
(Replacement word)
Example: "Sarah finished her project." (Sarah = antecedent, her = pronoun)
Clear Antecedent Examples
| Sentence | Antecedent | Pronoun | Agreement |
|---|---|---|---|
| The teacher graded her papers. | teacher | her | 3rd person, singular, feminine |
| The students submitted their essays. | students | their | 3rd person, plural |
| John and Mary finished their work. | John and Mary | their | 3rd person, plural |
| The company announced its results. | company | its | 3rd person, singular, neuter |
Three Types of Agreement
Person Agreement
1st: I, we → my, our
2nd: you → your
3rd: he/she/it/they → his/her/its/their
Number Agreement
Singular: he, she, it
Plural: they
Must match antecedent's number
Gender Agreement
Masculine: he, his, him
Feminine: she, her, hers
Neuter: it, its
Golden Rule: The pronoun must match its antecedent exactly in person, number, and gender for clear, grammatically correct communication.
Number Agreement Rules
Number agreement means singular antecedents take singular pronouns, and plural antecedents take plural pronouns.
Basic Number Agreement
✓ Singular Antecedents
"The student finished his homework."
"Each employee received her bonus."
"The dog wagged its tail."
"My sister sold her car."
✓ Plural Antecedents
"The students finished their homework."
"All employees received their bonuses."
"The dogs wagged their tails."
"My sisters sold their cars."
Compound Subjects
| Type | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Joined by "and" | Always plural | "Tom and Jerry finished their project." |
| Joined by "or"/"nor" | Agree with nearer noun | "Neither the teacher nor the students brought their books." |
| Joined by "or"/"nor" | Agree with nearer noun | "Either the students or the teacher will share his/her materials." |
Tricky Situations
Collective Nouns
As unit: "The team won its game."
As individuals: "The team took their positions."
Words with Plural Form
Singular meaning: "Physics is hard; it requires study."
Plural meaning: "The scissors are dull; they need sharpening."
Indefinite Pronouns
Always singular: "Everyone brought his or her lunch."
Always plural: "Many brought their lunches."
Common Errors
✗ Number Disagreement
"Each student must bring their book."
"The committee made their decision."
"Neither John nor Mary brought their lunch."
✓ Correct Agreement
"Each student must bring his or her book."
"The committee made its decision."
"Neither John nor Mary brought his or her lunch."
Modern Note: Singular "they" is increasingly accepted for indefinite antecedents and inclusive language, though traditional formal writing may still prefer "his or her."
Gender Agreement Rules
Gender agreement ensures pronouns match the gender of their antecedents: masculine (he/him/his), feminine (she/her/hers), or neuter (it/its).
Clear Gender Agreement
| Gender | Pronouns | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine | he, him, his | "David finished his presentation." / "The actor rehearsed his lines." |
| Feminine | she, her, hers | "Maria submitted her report." / "The actress memorized her dialogue." |
| Neuter | it, its | "The computer updated its software." / "The company changed its policy." |
| Plural (any) | they, them, their | "The employees finished their tasks." / "Books should stay in their places." |
Gender-Neutral Solutions
Traditional Formal
"A student should bring his or her textbook."
"Each employee must update his or her profile."
"Anyone can express his or her opinion."
Modern Inclusive
"A student should bring their textbook."
"Each employee must update their profile."
"Anyone can express their opinion."
Professional/Occupational Nouns
Gender-Specific Context
When gender is known:
"The male nurse completed his shift."
"The female doctor saw her patients."
Gender-Neutral Context
When gender is unknown:
"The nurse completed their shift."
"The doctor saw their patients."
Alternative Solutions
Rewrite to avoid pronouns:
"Nurses complete shifts regularly."
"Doctors see patients daily."
Animals and Objects
| Antecedent Type | Standard Pronoun | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Pet animals (known) | he/she | "My dog Buddy loves his walks." / "Our cat Luna cleans her paws." |
| Wild animals | it | "The eagle spread its wings." / "A bear marked its territory." |
| Objects/things | it | "The car needs its oil changed." / "The building lost its power." |
| Countries/ships | it (modern) / she (traditional) | Modern: "America exports its products." Traditional: "The ship left her port." |
Best Practice: Match the gender when known, use inclusive language when appropriate, and maintain consistency throughout your writing.
Person Agreement Rules
Person agreement ensures pronouns match their antecedents in first person (I/we), second person (you), or third person (he/she/it/they).
First Person
Antecedents: I, we, me, us
Pronouns: my, mine, our, ours
Example: "I finished my work."
Second Person
Antecedents: you
Pronouns: your, yours
Example: "You completed your task."
Third Person
Antecedents: All nouns, he, she, it, they
Pronouns: his, her, hers, its, their, theirs
Example: "Students submitted their papers."
Person Consistency
✗ Person Shift Errors
"When you study hard, one can achieve success."
"I love reading because it helps you relax."
"Students should do your best work."
✓ Consistent Person
"When you study hard, you can achieve success."
"I love reading because it helps me relax."
"Students should do their best work."
Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns present special agreement challenges because some are always singular, some are always plural, and some vary.
Indefinite Pronoun Categories
| Category | Pronouns | Agreement Rule | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Always Singular | everyone, somebody, each, either, neither, anyone, someone | Use singular pronouns | "Everyone brought his or her lunch." |
| Always Plural | both, few, many, several | Use plural pronouns | "Many brought their lunches." |
| Variable | all, any, most, none, some | Depends on meaning | "All students brought their books." / "All water has its source." |
✓ Singular Indefinites
"Each of the players has his position."
"Someone left her umbrella here."
"Neither of them finished his work."
✓ Modern Inclusive Usage
"Each of the players has their position."
"Someone left their umbrella here."
"Neither of them finished their work."
What is Pronoun Ambiguity?
Pronoun ambiguity occurs when it's unclear which noun a pronoun refers to, creating confusion for readers.
Types of Ambiguous Reference
✗ Ambiguous Examples
Multiple antecedents: "John told Mark that he was promoted."
Distant antecedent: "The students completed the exam. The teacher graded them quickly, and she was pleased with the results."
Implied antecedent: "In the restaurant, they serve excellent food."
✓ Clear Revisions
Clarified: "John told Mark that Mark was promoted."
Specific: "The students completed the exam. The teacher graded the papers quickly and was pleased with the results."
Explicit: "The restaurant serves excellent food."
Types of Ambiguous Reference
Remote Reference
Problem: Antecedent too far away
Example: "The manager discussed the project with the team. Later, she made the decision."
Broad Reference
Problem: Refers to entire idea
Example: "The meeting ran late, which annoyed everyone."
Weak Reference
Problem: Antecedent implied, not stated
Example: "John is a chef, but he doesn't enjoy it."
Fixing Ambiguous Pronouns
Resolution Strategies
✗ Ambiguous
"Sarah told Emily that she passed the test."
✓ Strategy 1: Repeat the Noun
"Sarah told Emily that Emily passed the test."
✓ Strategy 2: Restructure
"Sarah said to Emily, 'You passed the test.'"
✓ Strategy 3: Use Names
"Sarah told Emily that Sarah had passed the test."
Clarity Best Practices
Golden Rules for Clear Pronoun Reference
- Place pronouns close to antecedents
- Ensure only one possible antecedent
- Make antecedents explicit, not implied
- Repeat nouns when necessary for clarity
- Restructure sentences to eliminate confusion
✗ Unclear References
"The car hit the tree, but it wasn't damaged."
"After studying all night, the test was easy."
"My brother called while I was cooking, which interrupted my concentration."
✓ Clear References
"The car hit the tree, but the car wasn't damaged."
"After studying all night, I found the test easy."
"My brother's call interrupted my concentration while I was cooking."
Indefinite Pronouns Overview
Indefinite pronouns refer to non-specific people, places, or things. They don't have clear antecedents and create agreement challenges.
Complete Indefinite Pronoun Categories
| Number | Pronouns | Verb Agreement | Pronoun Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Always Singular | anyone, someone, everyone, no one, anybody, somebody, everybody, nobody, anything, something, everything, nothing, each, either, neither, one | Singular verbs | he/she/it or they (modern) |
| Always Plural | both, few, many, others, several | Plural verbs | they, them, their |
| Singular or Plural | all, any, more, most, none, some | Depends on object of preposition | Depends on meaning |
Singular Indefinite Pronouns
These indefinite pronouns are always singular and require singular verbs and singular pronoun references.
Singular Indefinite Pronoun Table
| Category | Pronouns | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| -one words | anyone, someone, everyone, no one | "Everyone has his or her opinion." / "Everyone has their opinion." |
| -body words | anybody, somebody, everybody, nobody | "Somebody left his keys." / "Somebody left their keys." |
| -thing words | anything, something, everything, nothing | "Everything has its place." (no gender issues) |
| Other singular | each, either, neither, one | "Each student brought his book." / "Each student brought their book." |
Traditional Formal Usage
"Everyone should bring his or her lunch."
"Each person has his or her role."
"Someone forgot his or her umbrella."
Modern Inclusive Usage
"Everyone should bring their lunch."
"Each person has their role."
"Someone forgot their umbrella."
Plural & Variable Indefinite Pronouns
Always Plural Indefinite Pronouns
| Pronoun | Usage | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| both | Always plural | "Both students completed their projects." |
| few, many, several | Always plural | "Few brought their textbooks." / "Many shared their notes." |
| others | Always plural | "Others will bring their contributions." |
Variable Indefinite Pronouns
| Pronoun | Depends On | Singular Example | Plural Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| all | Object of preposition | "All of the cake was eaten; it was delicious." | "All of the students brought their books." |
| some | Object of preposition | "Some of the water spilled; it made a mess." | "Some of the children forgot their lunches." |
| none | Object of preposition | "None of the equipment works; it needs repair." | "None of the players brought their gear." |
Reflexive Pronouns
Reflexive pronouns end in -self or -selves and refer back to the subject of the sentence.
Complete Reflexive Pronoun Table
| Subject Pronoun | Reflexive Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I | myself | "I taught myself to play piano." |
| you (singular) | yourself | "You should be proud of yourself." |
| he | himself | "He prepared himself for the interview." |
| she | herself | "She bought herself a new car." |
| it | itself | "The door closed itself." |
| we | ourselves | "We congratulated ourselves." |
| you (plural) | yourselves | "You should help yourselves to dinner." |
| they | themselves | "They blamed themselves for the mistake." |
Reflexive Pronoun Rules
- Must have antecedent in same clause: "John hurt himself" ✓ / "John's mother hurt himself" ✗
- Cannot be subjects: "John and myself went" ✗ / "John and I went" ✓
- Used for actions done to oneself: "She taught herself Spanish."
Possessive Case Before Gerunds
When a pronoun comes before a gerund (verb form ending in -ing used as a noun), use the possessive case.
The Gerund Rule
✗ Objective Case (Incorrect)
"I appreciate you helping me."
"We were surprised by him arriving early."
"They objected to us leaving."
✓ Possessive Case (Correct)
"I appreciate your helping me."
"We were surprised by his arriving early."
"They objected to our leaving."
Complete Gerund Examples
| Possessive Pronoun | Gerund | Complete Example |
|---|---|---|
| my | singing | "She enjoyed my singing in the choir." |
| your | writing | "I admire your writing style." |
| his | cooking | "We love his cooking dinner for us." |
| her | dancing | "The audience applauded her dancing." |
| our | participating | "They appreciated our participating in the event." |
| their | volunteering | "We were grateful for their volunteering." |
Memory Tip: The focus is on the action (gerund), not the person, so use possessive case to show ownership of the action.
Intensive Pronouns
Intensive pronouns use the same forms as reflexive pronouns but serve to emphasize the subject.
Intensive vs. Reflexive Comparison
Reflexive (Essential)
"She taught herself Spanish."
"I hurt myself while cooking."
"They prepared themselves for the exam."
Intensive (Emphasis)
"She herself taught the Spanish class."
"I myself cooked the entire meal."
"They themselves prepared the exam."
Reflexive vs Intensive
Reflexive Test
Can you remove the pronoun?
"She taught herself" → "She taught" ✗
Cannot remove = Reflexive
Intensive Test
Can you remove the pronoun?
"She herself taught" → "She taught" ✓
Can remove = Intensive
Demonstrative Pronouns
| Distance | Singular | Plural | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Near | this | these | "This is mine." / "These are yours." |
| Far | that | those | "That belongs to him." / "Those are theirs." |
Interrogative Pronouns
| Pronoun | Function | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| who | Subject (people) | "Who called you?" |
| whom | Object (people) | "Whom did you call?" |
| whose | Possessive | "Whose book is this?" |
| which | Selection from group | "Which do you prefer?" |
| what | General inquiry | "What happened here?" |
Relative Pronouns
Relative pronouns introduce dependent clauses and relate to antecedents in the main clause.
| Pronoun | Refers to | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| who | People | Subject | "The woman who called is here." |
| whom | People | Object | "The person whom I met was friendly." |
| whose | People/things | Possessive | "The student whose paper won is here." |
| which | Things/animals | Subject/object | "The book which I read was excellent." |
| that | People/things | Subject/object | "The car that I bought is reliable." |
Who vs Whom Rules
The Simple Test
Use WHO
When you can substitute
he, she, or they
"Who called?" = "He called" ✓
Use WHOM
When you can substitute
him, her, or them
"Whom did you call?" = "You called him" ✓
✓ WHO Examples
"Who is coming to dinner?"
"The person who called left a message."
"Who do you think will win?"
✓ WHOM Examples
"To whom should I address this?"
"The person whom I met was nice."
"For whom did you buy this gift?"
Gerund Examples
More Gerund Practice
✗ Common Errors
"I don't mind you borrowing my car."
"They were excited about us visiting."
"She objected to me leaving early."
✓ Correct Forms
"I don't mind your borrowing my car."
"They were excited about our visiting."
"She objected to my leaving early."
Key Point: The gerund (action) is the focus, not the person performing it, so use possessive case.
Common Gerund Errors
| Situation | Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| After prepositions | "I'm tired of him complaining." | "I'm tired of his complaining." |
| After verbs | "I appreciate you helping." | "I appreciate your helping." |
| In formal writing | "We discussed them joining us." | "We discussed their joining us." |
Pronouns in Comparisons
Than and As Comparisons
✓ Complete the Thought
"She is taller than I [am]."
"He runs as fast as I [do]."
"You know more than they [do]."
Context Matters
"I like him better than she [does]." (she likes him)
"I like him better than [I like] her." (comparing people)
Compound Subjects and Objects
✗ Case Errors
"Me and him went to the store."
"Between you and I, this is difficult."
"Her and Sarah are best friends."
✓ Correct Cases
"He and I went to the store."
"Between you and me, this is difficult."
"She and Sarah are best friends."
Test Method: Remove the other person and see which pronoun sounds correct alone.
Interactive Quiz - Part 1
Test your pronoun knowledge with these interactive questions:
1. Choose the correct pronoun:
"John and _____ went to the movies."
2. Select the proper case:
"Between you and _____, this is confidential."
3. Choose the correct possessive:
"The dog wagged _____ tail."
4. Pick the right pronoun:
"Everyone should bring _____ own lunch."
5. Select the correct form:
"_____ is going to the concert?"
6. Choose the proper pronoun:
"The teacher helped _____ students with the assignment."
7. Pick the correct case:
"She is taller than _____."
8. Select the right form:
"I appreciate _____ helping me with this project."
9. Choose the correct pronoun:
"Each student must submit _____ assignment by Friday."
10. Pick the proper case:
"The winners were Sarah and _____."
11. Select the correct form:
"_____ did you invite to the party?"
12. Choose the right pronoun:
"John taught _____ how to drive."
13. Pick the correct possessive:
"_____ book is on the table?"
14. Select the proper form:
"Both students brought _____ textbooks to class."
15. Choose the correct case:
"The gift is for my sister and _____."
Interactive Quiz - Part 2
Continue testing your pronoun mastery:
16. Choose the correct pronoun:
"The coach _____ trained the team won the championship."
17. Select the proper form:
"Neither of the students brought _____ calculator."
18. Pick the correct case:
"This secret is just between you and _____."
19. Choose the right possessive:
"The company announced _____ quarterly results."
20. Select the correct pronoun:
"_____ book did you borrow from the library?"
21. Pick the proper case:
"The manager asked John and _____ to stay late."
22. Choose the correct form:
"Everyone in the class passed _____ final exam."
23. Select the right pronoun:
"The student _____ I tutored improved significantly."
24. Pick the correct case:
"My brother is much taller than _____."
25. Choose the proper form:
"I'm looking forward to _____ visiting us next month."
26. Select the correct pronoun:
"Few of the employees brought _____ laptops to the meeting."
27. Pick the right case:
"The prize was awarded to my teammate and _____."
28. Choose the correct form:
"The cat cleaned _____ thoroughly after eating."
29. Select the proper pronoun:
"Several students forgot to bring _____ permission slips."
30. Pick the correct case:
"_____ students need extra help with grammar?"
Summary & Key Takeaways
Essential Pronoun Rules Mastered
Case Selection
Subjective: I, you, he, she, it, we, they
Objective: me, you, him, her, it, us, them
Possessive: my/mine, your/yours, his, her/hers, its, our/ours, their/theirs
Agreement Rules
Person: 1st, 2nd, 3rd person consistency
Number: Singular/plural matching
Gender: Masculine, feminine, neuter agreement
Clarity Guidelines
Clear antecedents: Avoid ambiguous references
Proximity: Keep pronouns close to antecedents
Consistency: Maintain person and number throughout
Quick Reference Checklist
- ✓ Identify the pronoun's grammatical function (subject, object, possession)
- ✓ Match person, number, and gender with the antecedent
- ✓ Use possessive case before gerunds (your helping, not you helping)
- ✓ Test compound constructions by removing the other person
- ✓ Complete implied comparisons to check case (taller than I [am])
- ✓ Ensure clear, unambiguous reference for every pronoun
- ✓ Use formal rules in professional writing, adapt for context in casual communication
Congratulations!
You've completed the comprehensive pronoun grammar course. You now have the knowledge and tools to use pronouns correctly and confidently in all your communication.
Continue practicing these concepts in your daily writing and speaking!