Personal pronouns

I, we, you, he, she, they and it are called personal pronouns because they stand for the three persons:

1. the person speaking
2. the person spoken to
3. the person spoken of

The pronouns I and we, which refer to the person or persons speaking are said to be the personal pronouns of the first person.

• I am fed up.
• We have to go.
  

The pronoun you, which refers to the person or persons spoken to, is said to be a personal pronoun of the second person. Note that you has the same form for the singular and plural. Both singular and plural you are followed by the plural verbs are and have.

• You are my best friend.
• You have betrayed my trust.

The pronouns he, she and they, which refer to the person or persons spoken of are said to be personal pronouns of the third person. It is also called a personal pronoun of the third person.

Personal pronouns have different forms:

The pronouns that are used as subjects of verbs are: I, he, she, they, you and we.

The personal pronouns that are used as objects of verbs are: me, him, her, them, you and us. Note that you does not change.

Personal pronouns in the possessive case has the following forms: mine, his, hers, theirs, yours and ours.

Note that the possessive pronouns shall not be confused with the possessive adjectives my, his, her, their, your and our. The possessive adjectives are used before nouns.

Compare:

• This is my dog. (Here the possessive adjective my qualifies the noun dog.)
• Those are their books. (Here the possessive adjective their qualifies the noun books.)
• This dog is mine.
• Those books are theirs.
• This is my coat. Where is  yours?

What are relative pronouns?

Read the following pairs of sentences:

1. I saw a little girl. She was very beautiful.
2. I know a man. His son is at Oxford.
3. He got a letter. He had been expecting it.

Each of these pairs can be combined into a single sentence:

1. I saw a little girl who was very beautiful.
2. I know a man whose son is at Oxford.
3. He got a letter that he had been expecting.

Here the words who, whose and which are examples of relative pronouns. Let’s examine what purpose they serve in the sentences.

In sentence 1, who stands for the little girl: hence it is a pronoun. It also connects the two statements ‘I saw a little girl’ and ‘She was very beautiful’. Hence it acts as a conjunction. Thus it does double work and may be called a conjunctive pronoun. But it is actually called a relative pronoun because it relates or refers to a noun that has gone before it.

In sentence 2 and 3, the words whose and which also do double work as pronoun and conjunction. Both are, therefore, called relative pronouns.

The noun to which a relative pronoun refers is called its antecedent. In the sentences given above, the nouns girl, man and letter are the antecedents of who, whose and which respectively.

Functions of the relatives within their clauses

Within the subordinate clause the relative pronoun may serve as subject or object of the verb, or object of a preposition.

As subject

Trust no man who does not love his country. (Here the relative pronoun who is the subject of the subordinate clause ‘who does not love his country’.)

As object of the verb

There I met an old man whom my father had known.

As the object of a preposition

There was no room in which we could stay.

Note that when the relative pronoun is the object of a preposition, we can put the preposition at the end of the clause. In such cases we usually omit the relative pronoun.

There was no room we could stay in.

What are reflexive pronouns?

Reflexive pronouns are words like myself, yourself, herself, himself, itself, oneself, ourselves and themselves.

Uses

A very common use of reflexive pronouns is to talk about actions where the subject and object are the same person.

• The old woman killed herself. (Here the subject and object are the same person – the old woman.)
• I am going to the shops to get myself some clothes.

Emphatic use

We can use reflexive pronouns as subject or object emphasisers. When used emphatically a reflexive pronoun means ‘that person / thing and nobody / nothing else’.

• The manager himself said this. (= The manager and nobody else said this.)
• I myself talked to him.
• I will see the President himself if I have to.

Reflexives used instead of personal pronouns

Reflexive pronouns are used instead of personal pronouns after words like as, like, but (for) and except (for).

• Everybody turned up except yourself. OR Everybody turned up except you.

By oneself / yourself etc

The expressions by oneself / yourself etc can mean ‘alone’ or  ‘without company’.

• She said that she would like to spend some time by herself. (= She would like to spend some time alone.)

No possessive forms

The reflexive pronouns do not have possessive forms. Instead, we use my own, your own, our own etc.

• I always cook my own food. (NOT I always cook myself’s food.)

Reflexives not used

Certain verbs are not used with reflexive pronouns. Examples are: open, sell, feel, hurry etc.

• Hurry! (NOT Hurry yourself!)
• I felt strange. (NOT I felt myself strange.)

Distributive pronouns

Consider the following sentences:

• Each boy was given a prize.
• Either road leads to the railway station.
• Neither accusation is true.

Each, either and neither are called distributive pronouns because they refer to persons or things one at a time. Note that a distributive pronoun is always singular and as such it should be followed by a singular noun and verb.

• Each new day is different. (NOT Each new days are different.)
• Either girl can do that. (NOT Either girls can do that.)
• Neither answer is correct. (NOT Neither answers is correct.) (NOT Neither answers are correct.)

Notes

Each of, neither of and either of are followed by plural nouns and singular verbs.

• Each of the answers is correct. (NOT Each of the answer is correct.)
• Neither of the girls can do that. (NOT Either of the girl can do that.)

Either and neither should be used only in speaking of two persons or things. When more than two persons or things are spoken of, any, no one or none should be used.

• None of the three answers is correct. (NOT Neither of the three answers is correct.)
• We invited several friends, but none came. (NOT … but neither came.)
• You can take any of the three shirts. (NOT You can take either of the three shirts.)

Each

Each can go in different positions.

• Each of the boys was given a present.
• The boys were each given a present.
• They have each been told.
• Each of them have been told.
• We each think the same.
• Each of us think the same.

Indefinite pronouns

Study the following sentences.

• One hardly knows what to do.
• One cannot choose one’s parents.
• One must not boast of one’s success.
• One should love one’s country.
• None of them have come yet.
• None but fools have ever believed it.
• None of his books are best sellers.
• Some are born great; some achieve greatness.
• Nobody came to his rescue.
• Somebody has let the cat in.
• Few escaped unhurt.
• What is everybody’s business is nobody’s business.

In the sentences given above the pronouns in bold text are examples of indefinite pronouns because they do not refer to a particular person or thing. Indefinite pronouns are used to talk about people or things in a general way.

Notes

Note that none is the shortened form of no one. In an informal style, none is commonly used with plural verbs.

Most indefinite pronouns can be used as adjectives.

• Any fool can do that.
• One day my prince will come.
• He is man of few words.
• Some milk was spilt.

To refer back to anybody, everybody, everyone, anyone, each etc., the pronoun he or she is used according to the context.

• Everyone of the boys has handed in his work.
• Everyone of the girls has brought her violin.

Note that nowadays it is more common to use the plural pronoun they/them/their to refer back to everybody, anybody etc.

• Anybody can do it if they try.

Demonstrative pronouns

Study the following sentences.

• This is a gift from my brother.
• Both watches are good; but this is better than that.
• My views are in accordance with those of the Chairman.
• These are mere excuses.
• That is the Red Fort.
• Mumbai mangoes are better than those of Bangalore.

You will have noticed that the pronouns in bold text are used to point out the objects to which they refer. They are, therefore, called demonstrative pronouns. There are four demonstrative pronouns in English: this, that, these and those.

Note that this and that are used with singular nouns. These and those are used with plural nouns.

This and these refer to object/objects close at hand. That and those refer to what is ‘over there’.

• This is better than that.

Demonstrative adjectives

This, that, these and those are demonstrative adjectives when they are used with nouns.

• That book is mine.
• What is that noise?
• These flowers are very beautiful.
• Those days were the best.
• This horse is faster than that horse.

Special uses

That and those are often used to avoid the repetition of a preceding noun.

• The streets of Mumbai are busier than those of Paris. (= The streets of Mumbai are busier than the streets of Paris.)

Here the demonstrative those is used to avoid the repetition of ‘the streets’.

Use of the words he/she, him/her and his/hers etc.

Read the following sentences.

• He has a camera. The camera belongs to him. It is his camera. The camera is his.
• She has a diamond ring. The diamond ring belongs to her. It is her diamond ring. The diamond ring is hers.
• They have a tea garden. The tea garden belongs to them. It is their tea garden. The tea garden is theirs.

The sentences given in each set express the same idea using different forms of the personal pronouns he, she and they.

The main difference between nouns and pronouns is that nouns do not change their form except when forming the possessive case.

Pronouns, on the other hand, have different forms.

The forms he, she and they are used when a pronoun is the subject of a sentence.

The forms him, her and them are used when a pronoun is the object of a sentence.

The forms his, her, hers, their and theirs are possessive in nature.

Possessives are of two kinds: possessive pronouns and possessive adjectives.

Possessive adjectives go before nouns. Possessive pronouns are used alone.

Note that the possessive pronoun and possessive adjective form of he is the same: his

Study the following sentences.

• This is his cap. This cap is his.
• This is her ring. This ring is hers. (NOT His ring is her.)
• This is their car. This car is theirs. (NOT This car is their.)

Possessive pronouns and adjectives

Read the following sentences.

• This necklace belongs to her. They do not belong to you.

We can combine these sentences using possessive pronouns.

• This necklace is hers, not yours.
• This car belongs to him. It does not belong to me.
• This car is his, not mine.

Exercise

Combine the following pairs of sentences using possessive pronouns or adjectives.

1. It is your problem. It is not my problem.

2. It is his responsibility. It is not my responsibility.

3. The property belongs to us. It does not belong to them.

4. He writes the lyrics. She composes the tunes.

5. One of these cars belongs to me and the others belong to him.

6. We make the investment. They take the profit.

7. The apartment belongs to me but the furniture belongs to my father.

8. The children are mine. They are not his.

Answers

1. The problem is yours, not mine.

2. The responsibility is his, not mine.

3. The property is ours, not theirs.

4. The lyrics are his and the tunes are hers.

5. One of these cars is mine and the others are his.

6. The investment is ours, but the profit is theirs.

7. The apartment is mine, but the furniture is my father’s.

8. They are my children, not his.

Relative clauses and relative pronouns

Clauses beginning with question words (e.g. who, which, where) are often used to identify people and things. Clauses used like this are called relative clauses. They can also be called adjective clauses.

Examples are given below.

• James, who is my neighbor, is a well-known painter. (Here the relative clause ‘who is my neighbor’ gives more information about the noun James.)

• This is the house that my grandfather built. (Here the relative clause ‘that my grandfather built’ gives more information about the noun house.)
• I have never met the people who live next door. (Here the relative clause ‘who live next door’ identify the noun people.)
• I know a girl who works in a pub.
• I have found the keys that you were looking for.

Relative pronouns

When words like who, which and that are used to introduce relative clauses, they are often called relative pronouns. Relative pronouns can be the subjects of verbs in relative clauses. Note that who is used to refer to people and which is used to refer to things. That can be used to refer to both people and things.

• Who is that fat woman who sits next to James? (NOT Who is that fat woman which sits next to James?)
• The people that live next door aren’t very sociable. OR The people who live next door aren’t very sociable. (That can refer to both people and things.)
• What happened to those hundred pounds which I lent you? OR What happened to those hundred pounds that I lent you? (Both which and that can refer to things.)

Relative pronouns can also be the objects of verbs in relative clauses. Note that in a formal style, who is not normally used as an object. Instead, we use whom.

• She married someone whom I really admire. (Formal)
• She married someone who I really admire. (Informal)

Personal pronouns exercise

Fill in the blanks with suitable pronouns.

1. John and Peter are brothers. I know ………………………. very well and my father likes ………………….. very much.

2. This book has many interesting pictures and stories. I like ………………………… very much.

3. The woman gave sweets to the children, but ……………………………. did not thank ……………………

4. The teacher said, ‘John, you’re a naughty boy. ……………………. don’t obey …………………………’

5. The boys were late so the teacher scolded …………………………..

6. We have a good teacher. ………………………… advised ……………………….. to work harder.

7. My father told my mother, ‘I want ……………………….. to take these jewels and put …………………….. in a box. When …………………………. have done that come and see ………………………… and ……………………….. will tell ………………………………….. why ………………………. don’t want ………………………….. to keep …………………….. in that box.

Answers

1. John and Peter are brothers. I know them very well and my father likes them very much.

2. This book has many interesting pictures and stories. I like it very much.

3. The woman gave sweets to the children, but they did not thank her.

4. The teacher said, ‘John, you’re a naughty boy. You don’t obey me.’

5. The boys were late so the teacher scolded them.

6. We have a good teacher. He / she advised us to work harder.

7. My father told my mother, ‘I want you to take these jewels and put them in a box. When you have done that come and see me and I will tell you why I don’t want you to keep them in that box.

Using the demonstrative pronouns

There are only five demonstrative pronouns in English: this, that, these, those and such. Demonstrative pronouns can behave either as pronouns or as adjectives.

When used as pronouns, these words identify or point to nouns.

• That was an incredible experience. (Here the demonstrative pronoun that refers to something the speaker just talked about.)

• I don’t believe this. (Here the demonstrative pronoun this refers to something mentioned in a previous sentence.)
• Such was his command over the language. (Here the demonstrative pronoun such refers to an explanation just made.)

As adjectives, the demonstratives modify a noun that follows. We can convey a sense of distance in time and space through the choice of demonstratives.

This and these are used to denote things and situations closer in space and time.

• Get this bird off my shoulder. (Here the reference is to a bird sitting on the speaker’s shoulder. It is very close to him in space.)
• Get that cat off the piano. (Here the reference is to a cat sitting on a piano away from the speaker.)

These and those are the plural forms of this and that.

• Listen to this. (Here we are referring to a situation which is just about to start.)

That and those can be used to talk about experiences which have just finished.

• That was an unforgettable experience. (Here we are talking about something happened in the past.)

Acceptance and rejection

This and these are used to show acceptance or interest. That and those can show rejection or dislike.

• That boy of yours has stained my walls. (dislike)
• Tell me about this new project of yours. (interest)

Pronoun-antecedent agreement

A pronoun is a word used to refer to a noun mentioned earlier in the text. This noun is called the antecedent of the pronoun.

• Susmita is a pretty girl. She also sings well. (Pronoun – she; antecedent – Susmita)

Note that the pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number and person. That means if the antecedent is a singular noun, then the pronoun used to refer to it, too, should be singular in number.

Problem points

The indefinite pronouns anybody, everyone, anyone, someone, somebody, no one, and nobody are always singular.

The pronouns either and neither are also singular.

The need for pronoun-antecedent agreement doesn’t create any problems when the gender is clearly specified.

• John works hard. He will pass.

But when the sex of the person is not mentioned, finding a pronoun that agrees with its antecedent can be difficult.

The following sentence, for example, shows gender bias.

• A student must hand in his assignment before the end of this month.

Here the noun student can refer to both boys and girls and hence there is no justification for using pronoun his.

One solution is to pluralize.

• Students must hand in their assignments before the end of this month.

Or you can say:

• A student must hand in his or her assignment before the end of the month.

However, if you use the expression ‘his or her’ too many times, the effect can be ridiculous.

Instead, many writers now prefer using the pronoun they/their.

• Somebody has left their umbrella behind.

More natural than ‘Somebody has left his or her umbrella behind.’

Common mistakes in the use of pronouns

In this article we will take a look at some common mistakes in the use of pronouns.

Incorrect: Each of these boys play cricket well.

Correct: Each of these boys plays cricket well.

Incorrect: Each of these three roads lead to the railway station.

Correct: Each of these three roads leads to the railway station.

After each of we use a plural noun or pronoun and a singular verb.

Incorrect: Both didn’t go.

Correct: Neither went.

In negative sentences we do not normally use both. Instead, we use neither.

Incorrect: We all did not go.

Correct: None of us went.

In negative sentences we do not normally use all. Instead, we use none.

Incorrect: Each boy and each girl were given a book.

Correct: Each boy and each girl was given a book.

Incorrect: Have you got a pen? I haven’t got.

Correct: Have you got a pen? I haven’t got one.

The verb get needs to be followed by an object.

Incorrect: My all books are lost.

Correct: All of my books are lost.

Incorrect: Let I go.

Correct: Let me go.

Incorrect: Let we move.

Correct: Let us move.

Let is a verb. It should be followed by a pronoun in object form.

Incorrect: Your problem is bigger than me.

Correct: Your problem is bigger than mine.

Correct: Your problem is bigger than my problem.

Incorrect: Whoever does best he will get a prize.

Correct: Whoever does best will get a prize.

Incorrect: I and he are brothers.

Correct: He and I are brothers.

Incorrect: I and Mark are friends.

Correct: Mark and I are friends.

Pronouns should go in the proper order – the person spoken to, first; the person spoken of, second and the speaker, third.

Combine using relative pronouns

Relative pronouns are words used to combine two clauses into one. Besides combining the two clauses, the relative pronoun acts as the subject or object of the verb in the relative clause.

An example is given below.

• The boy solved the puzzle. He was praised by the teacher.

We can combine these two clauses using a relative pronoun.

• The boy who solved the puzzle was praised by the teacher.

Combine the following pairs of sentences using a relative pronoun.

1. The parcel reached me this morning. My brother sent it.

2. This is the house. Jack built it.

3. The boy didn’t do his homework. The teacher punished him.

4. He tells lies. He deserves to be punished.

5. I know a man. He wears a prosthetic leg.

6. Bring me the file. The file is on the table.

7. We met a girl. The girl had lost her way.

8. I saw a soldier. He had lost an arm.

9. Once upon a time there lived a giant. The giant was very powerful and cruel.

10. The dog bit the burglar. He was trying to break into the house.

Answers

1. The parcel which my brother sent reached me this morning.

2. This is the house that Jack built.

3. The teacher punished the boy who didn’t do his homework.

4. He who tells lies deserves to be punished.

5. I know a man who wears a prosthetic leg.

6. Bring me the file which is on the table.

7. We met a girl who had lost her way.

8. I saw a soldier who had lost an arm.

9. Once upon a time there lived a giant who was very powerful and cruel.

10. The dog bit the burglar who was trying to break into the house.