Pronoun | Definition, Types, Examples & Listings

Below is a complete guide to English pronouns that covers everything from their definition and types to their gender, number, case, functions, and usage. So, we provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of pronouns in the English language.

Define Pronoun With Examples

A Pronoun is a word that is used rather than a noun or a noun phrase. In English grammar, pronouns refer to either a noun that has already been mentioned or to a thing that does not need bother with to be named specifically.

In other words, a pronoun is a word that stands for a noun, often to keep away from the need to repeat to repeat the same noun again and again. Like a noun, a pronoun can refer to people, things, ideas, and spots. There are many sentences that contain at least one noun or pronoun.

In simple they are short words that are used to swap different nouns to make our composition speech become faster and more varied. Pronoun words are given below.

• They
• I
• You
• Who
• Themselves
• Each other

Pronouns List & Examples

Types of Pronouns

1. Demonstrative Pronouns
2. Intensive Pronouns
3. Personal Pronouns
4. Indefinite Pronouns
5. Reflexive Pronouns
6. Possessive Pronouns
7. Interrogative Pronouns
8. Distributive Pronouns
9. Reciprocal Pronouns
10. Relative Pronouns

Define Demonstrative Pronouns With Examples

That, this, these, and those are demonstrative pronouns. They take the place of a noun or a noun phrase that has already been mentioned and is clear enough through context, either in created or verbal communication. This is used for particular items that are nearby. These are used for various things that are nearby. The distance can be physical or metaphorical.

Examples:

• Here is a letter with no return address. Who might have sent this?
• What a great idea! This is the best thing that I have heard in this whole day.
• In the event that you think gardenias smell pleasant, try smelling these.

Define Intensive Pronouns With Examples

They are similar to reflexive pronouns, yet their purpose is different. Intensive pronouns add emphasis. Conceptualizing the difference between them and reflexive pronouns can be challenging because the emphasis isn’t clear 100% of the time. Take a look at these examples of intensive pronouns and examine how they are not quite the same as the models in the previous section.

Examples:

• I myself made dinner.
• She herself completed the project.
• They themselves decided to take a break.

Define Personal Pronouns With Examples

When you think of pronouns, you no doubt consider personal pronouns. The pronouns that refer to particular people and groups are known as personal pronouns. Personal pronouns have two types subject pronouns and object pronouns.

Subject Pronouns (I, you, he, she, it, we, they)

You can use them as the subject of a sentence.

Example:

• She is a doctor.
• He is a lawyer.
• I love my country.
• My family loves nachos.
• Every Friday for a movie night we make them.

Object Pronouns (me, you, him, her, it, us, them)

You can use it as the object of a verb or preposition.

Examples:

• Give it to him.
• Can you give me the book?
• He saw her at the party.
• They bought it yesterday.

Define Indefinite Pronoun With Examples

Indefinite pronouns are utilized when you want to refer to someone or something that doesn’t need to be specifically identified. One, other, none, some, anyone, everyone, and nobody are among the most commonly used indefinite pronouns.

Examples:

• Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen.
• Due to the traffic jam, everybody arrived late to work.
• It matters more to some than others.

When indefinite pronouns function as subjects of a sentence or clause, they as a rule take singular verbs.

Define Reflexive Pronoun With Examples

Reflexive pronouns end in –self or –selves.

Examples:

• Myself
• Herself
• Himself
• Yourself
• Yourselves
• Itself
• Ourselves
• Oneself
• Themselves

In Reflexive Pronouns both the subject and verb refer to the same person or thing.

Examples:

• Take care of yourselves.
• She hurt herself.

Define Possessive Pronoun With Examples

Possessive pronouns show possession. They include the following:

• His
• Her
• Your
• Our
• Their
• My
• Its

Possessive Pronouns Few Examples:

• Your home is always decorated so nicely.
• I crashed my bicycle into a telephone pole.

Define Interrogative Pronoun With Examples

Interrogative pronouns are used in questions such as Who, which, what, and whose.

Examples:

• Whose jacket is this?
• What is your name?
• Who wants a bag of jelly beans?
• Which movie do you want to watch?

Define Distributive Pronouns With Examples

People, animals, and objects within larger groups are identified using distributive pronouns that denote them as individuals. They empower you to single out people while recognizing that they’re part of a larger group.

• Any
• Each
• Either
• Neither
• None

Examples:

• Treats and biscuits are available for dessert. Neither is appealing to me.
• All my friends took part in the costume contest but none of them were able to win.

Define Reciprocal Pronouns With Examples

• One another
• Each other

Examples:

• The two sisters hugged each other when they met.
• The hockey team members encouraged one another during the competition.

Define Relative Pronouns With Examples

Relative pronouns are one more class of pronouns. They connect relative clauses to independent clauses. Often, they introduce extra data about something. Relative pronouns include these words: Who, Which, Whom, and That. According to tradition, who is used to refer to people, while which and that are used for animals or things.

Examples:

• The man who is sitting next to me is my brother.
• I know a teacher whom I can recommend to you.
• The company, whose profits have been increasing, plans to expand next year.
• The book that I’m reading is very interesting.
• The car, which is parked outside, belongs to my neighbor.

Pronouns Gender list

Uses of Pronouns

1. Lisa is my friend. She is very kind.
2. I saw Tom. I spoke to him.
3. This pen is mine.
4. That is my bike.
5. Who is at the gate?
6. This is the boy who won the race.
7. Everyone is welcome.
8. I hurt myself.
9. They help each other.
10. I myself cleaned the room.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Pronoun?

A Pronoun is a word that is used rather than a noun or a noun phrase. In English grammar, pronouns refer to either a noun that has already been mentioned or to a thing that does not need bother with to be named specifically.

What are the types of pronoun?

1. Demonstrative Pronouns
2. Intensive Pronouns
3. Personal Pronouns
4. Indefinite Pronouns
5. Reflexive Pronouns
6. Possessive Pronouns
7. Interrogative Pronouns
8. Distributive Pronouns
9. Reciprocal Pronouns
10. Relative Pronouns

Which are the uses of pronoun?

• Lisa is my friend. She is very kind.
• I saw Tom. I spoke to him.
• This pen is mine.

Related Resources:

Grammar

• Verbs
• Adverbs
• Adjectives
• Nouns
• Prepositions
• Conjunctions
• Interjections