Pronouns

Sakshi Education

THE PRONOUN:
AN INTRODUCTORY NOTE
The repetition of a noun in a sentence or a set of sentences is really boring. So, grammar prescribes that instead of repeating the noun, we can use a word (for that noun) called the pronoun. This leads us to a precise definition of pronoun.

"A pronoun is a word that we use instead of a noun".
Many people commit grammatical mistakes because they lack thorough knowledge regarding the use of pronouns. It is, therefore, essential to have a detailed discussion on pronouns to avoid errors in their usage.

KINDS OF PRONOUNS
I. Personal Pronouns: A Pronoun which is used instead of the name of person is known as a 'Personal Pronoun'. A list of the 'Personal Pronouns' is given below:
1. My, mine, me; we, our, ours, us. (First Person)
You, your, yours. (Second Person)
He, his, him, she, her, hers, it, its,
They, their, theirs, them. (Third Person)

II. Reflexive and Emphatic Pronouns: When self is added to my, your, him, her, it and selves to our, your, them, we get Compound Personal Pronouns when the action done by the subject turns back upon the subject, we use reflexive pronouns.
For example:
1. I hurt myself.
2. He hurt himself.
3. They hurt themselves.
When Compound Personal Pronouns are used to give emphasis they are called Emphatic Pronouns. Following examples will make this point clear.
1 .I myself will do it.
2. You yourself can best explain.
3. They themselves admitted their guilt.

III. Demonstrative, Indefinite and Distributive Pronouns.
(a) Demonstrative Pronouns: Pronouns used to point out the objects to which they refer are called Demonstrative Pronouns.
Examples:
1. This is a present from my uncle.
2. These are merely excuses.
3. Bombay mangoes are better than those of Bangalore.
(b) Indefinite Pronouns: All pronouns which refer to persons or things in a general way and do not refer to any particular person or thing are called Indefinite Pronouns.
Examples:
1. Somebody has stolen my watch.
2. Few escaped unhurt.
3. Did you ask anybody to come?

(c) Distributive Pronouns: Each, either, neither, are called distributive pronouns because they refer to persons or things one at a time. For this reason they are always singular and followed by the verb in singular.
Examples:
1. Each of the men received a reward.
2. These men received a reward each.
3. Either of you can go.
4. Neither of the accusations is true.

IV. Relative Pronouns: A relative pronoun refers or relates to some noun going before, which is called its antecedent.
Examples:
1. I met Hari who used to live here.
2. I have found the pen which I had lost.
3. Here is the book that you lent me.

V. Interrogative Pronouns: These pronouns are used for asking questions.
Examples:
1. Whose book is this?
2. What will all the neighbours say?
3. Which do you prefer, tea or coffee?

Note: Interrogative pronouns can also be used in asking indirect questions. Consider the following examples:
1 .1 asked who was speaking.
2. Tell me what you have done.
3. Say which you would like best.

BEHAVIOR OF THE PRONOUNS
Please study the following observations carefully:

If three pronouns (of different persons) are used together in the same sentence they are arranged in the following order:

Examples:
(a) I, you and he must help that poor man. (Incorrect)
You, he and I must help that poor man. (Correct)
(b) I, you and he are friends. (Incorrect)
You, he and I are friends. (Correct)
When two or more singular nouns are joined by and, the pronoun used for them should be plural.
Examples:
(a) Mohan and Sohan are friends. They play football. They live at Lajpat Nagar.
(b) Mala and Sangita are class-fellows. They are good friends.
But if these nouns joined by “and” refer to the same person or thing, the pronoun used should be singular.
Examples:
(a) Mr. Keshwani, my friend and principal of the college, is known for his good behavior.
(b) Delhi, the beautiful city and the Capital of India, is famous for its historical monuments.
When two singular nouns joined by “and” refer to the same person, or thing, the pronoun used should be singular.
Examples:
The manager and owner of the firm expressed his views on the demands of the workers. (One person – Two portfolios)
When two singular nouns joined by “and” refer to two different persons the pronoun used for them should also be plural.
Example:
The party chief and the Prime Minister expressed their views on the topic.
Two persons - The party chief and the Prime Minster.
Note: An easy way to understand points 5 and 6.
If both nouns are preceded by 'the', the pronoun used should be plural and if only the first noun is preceded by 'the', the pronoun used will be singular.
When two nouns are used with “as well as,” the pronoun agrees with first subject.
Examples:
(a) Mohan as well as his friends is doing his work.
(b) The students as well as their teacher are doing their work.
When two singular nouns joined by 'and' are preceded by each or every, the pronoun used must be singular and should agree in gender with the second noun.
Examples:
(a) Every man and every woman will do her best for the nation.
(b) Each boy and each girl went to her house.
When two nouns are joined by using 'with', the pronoun agrees with the noun coming before 'with'.
Examples:
(a) The boy with his parents has gone to see a movie.
(b) The children with their parents have gone to picnic.
When two different nouns are joined by either ... or; neither ... nor, the pronoun is used according to the noun and gender of the second noun.
Examples:
(a) Either your sister or you have done your work.
(b) Neither the students nor the teacher was in his class.
The pronoun coming after 'than' must be in the same case as that coming before 'than'.
Examples:
(a) She plays better thanme. (Incorrect)
She plays better than I. (Correct)
(b) His elder brother is more intelligent than him. (Incorrect)
His elder brother is more intelligent than he. (Correct)
'Many a' always takes a singular pronoun and singular verb.
Example:
Many a soldier has met his death in the battlefield.

USE OF 'IT'

'It' is used for

Example (s)

1. Lifeless things

2. Animals

3. Child, when sex is not mentioned

4. Speaking of the weather, the season, the time.

5. Stress over a noun or a pronoun that follows.

6. Refers to a phrase or a clause that goes before

He gave me a book, It was old.

My horse gives me good service. I don't want to sell it.

I saw a child. It was playing

(a) It is spring

(b) It is half past ten by my watch.

It was in Delhi that I was cheated by a young man.

'Look before you leap' is an apt saying. It teaches us the way of the world.

Note: It is also used as an introductory subject of (is/am/are/was/were) when the actual subject follows.
Examples: It is our duty to serve our aged parents.

Pronouns like mine, ours, yours, his, hers, its, theirs are used to replace possessive adjectives + noun.
Examples:
I shall bring my scooter; you will bring yours, (your scooter)
If a pronoun stands for collective noun, being treated as a whole, the pronoun should be placed in singular number and neuter gender.
Examples:
(a) The Jury was unanimous in its decision. (Jury is a collective noun)
(b) The army decided to disobey its commander. (Army is a collective noun)

USE OF 'THAT'

'That' is used

Example(s)

1. After the words

- are, the same, none, nothing, any, only, the few, the little, etc.

2. After adjective in a 'superlative degree'

3. In speaking of persons, animals and lifeless things.

4. After an interrogative Pronoun

5. As a substitute for a single noun already mentioned.

6. In an adverbial sense when that implied - when, on which etc.

(a) All that glitters is not gold.

(b) Ram is the only person that can help you in this work.

(c) He is the same person that had gone on hunger strike.

(d) You may take any book that you like.

(e) I have spent the few rupees that I had.

Mr. Keshwani is the most learned man that I have ever met.

(a) This is the same person that had abused me.

(b) The Gita is the book that has impressed me the most.

(a) What is the subject that interests you the most?

(b) What is it that plagues you?

The climate of Shimla is cooler than that of Delhi. We shall start the work the day that you decide.

(That = on which)

If the collective noun conveys the feelings of separateness or division, the pronoun placed should be in the plural sense.
Examples:
(a) The jury were divided in its decision.
(b) The Committee were divided in its opinion.

Reflexive Pronouns: Reflexive Pronouns are obtained by adding 'self to the pronouns of the singular number and 'selves' to 'Personal Pronouns' of the 'Plural Number'.
Example:
My + self = myself (Reflexive Pronoun)
Her + self = herself (Reflexive Pronoun)
Your + self = yourself (Reflexive Pronoun)
Our + selves = Ourselves (Reflexive Pronoun)

Remember three things about the 'Reflexive Pronouns':
I. The Reflexive Pronoun tells us that the doer does something to himself.
II. They are also used to lay emphasis on the pronouns.
III. In a sentence, a Reflexive Pronoun should not be used as a subject. For example:
My father and myself went to see the Minister. (Incorrect)
My father and I went to see the Minister. (Correct)

Some examples of the use of the Reflexive Pronoun:
(a) We went there and enjoyed. (Incorrect)
We went there and enjoyed ourselves. (Correct)
(b) You should avail of the opportunity. (Incorrect)
You should avail yourself of the opportunity. (Correct)
(c) He has raised in the eyes of his teachers. (Incorrect)
He has raised himself in the eyes of his teachers. (Correct)
Interrogative Pronouns: 'Who’, 'Whose', 'Whom', 'Which', 'What' are known as Interrogative pronouns. Any sentence starting with these pronouns will be an 'interrogative sentence'. That is why they are called the 'Interrogative Pronouns'.
Examples:
I. Who is knocking at the door? (Some person)
II. Whose pen is this? (The pen belonging to some person)
III. Whom do you want? (Reference to a person)
(B) 'Which' is used for things.
Examples:
I. Which is your book?
II. Which game do you like?
Note: When selection is implied, 'which' can be used for persons also, e.g.
i. Which is your brother among them? (Selection)
(ii) Of Ram and Shyam which is more intelligent. (Selection)
(C) 'What' is used for things and occupations.
Examples:
I. What is your brother? (Occupation)
II. What is in your bag? (Thing)

Now mark the difference:
I. Who is she? (What is her name?)
II. What is she? (What is her occupation?)
III. Which is she? (Reference to a particular lady from among a group)
Pronouns replace nouns or noun phrases. We use pronouns frequently. The word the pronoun replaces is called the antecedent. The pronoun that refers to this antecedent is called the referent. Pronouns must agree with nouns in usage, gender, and number. Here is a list of pronouns

Pronouns	Subject			Object		Possessive		Reflextive
Person	Singular	Plural	Singular		Plural	Singular	Plural	Singular	Plural
First	I	We	Me		Us	My/mine	Our/ours	Myself	Ourselves
Second	You	You	You		You	Your/yours	Your/yours	Yourself	Yourselves
Third	He, she, it	They	Him, her, it		Them	His, her/hers, its	Their/ theirs	Himself, herself, itself	themselves

1. A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number and gender.
Singular Pronouns:
the girl: she, her, hers, herself, one, oneself
the boy: he, him, his, himself, one, oneself
the tree: it, its, itself
Example: Rita is the girl who taught herself how to swim.

Plural Pronouns:
the girls: they, them, their, theirs, themselves
the boys: they, them, their, theirs, themselves
the trees: they, them, their, theirs, themselves
Example: The boys said that they were ready.

NOTE:

There are no such words as theirselves, theirself, or hisselfin in Standard English.
When the antecedent is a subject joined by either-or or neither-nor. use the subject closest to the verb to determine the correct pronoun.
- Either Nikhil or his brothers will have their notes from the class.
- Neither the children nor Sunita has her answers ready.
When the antecedent is a compound subject of two nouns joined bv a coordinating conjunction, such as and, but yet.) Use a plural pronoun.
- Abhishek and Rahul owns their own home.
- Both the cat and dog have eaten their food.
When the compound antecedent is joined by or
a) and both antecedents are singular, the pronoun is singular.
- Either Ajay or Vijay gives his speech today.
b) When both antecedents are plural, the pronoun is plural.
- The juniors or the seniors may take their tests today.
c) When one antecedent is singular and the other is plural, the pronoun agrees with its closest antecedent.
- Ms. Kumar or the Kapoors will give their presentation.
- Either the soldiers or the general will be required to submit his resignation.
Phrases such as one of. neither of. each of. and either of are singular antecedents and take a singular pronoun.
- One (of the girls) lost her keys.
- Everyone (of the kittens) had its own distinctive cry.
- Neither (of the boys) had on his coat or hat.
Phrases such as both of and some of are generally plural antecedents and require plural pronouns.
- Some of the students had lost their books.
- Both of the boys had their heads shaved.
Collective nouns (team. group, crowd, class) mav be either singular or plural. They are plural when the speaker is thinking o f the individual members o f the group.
- The class have agreed among themselves about their trip.
- Collective nouns are singular when the speaker is thinking about the group as a unit.
- The crowd made its way to the top of the hill.

Assignment-1
Directions Q 1 -5: Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."

If everyone (A) thoughtfully used turn signals, they (B) would find that their (C) daily commute required less honking, cursing, and fist shaking.
A. drivers
B. he or she
C. his or her
D. No change is necessary.
Before students bite into a cafeteria sandwich, they (A) should lift the bun and check for caterpillars in the lettuce.
A. he
B. she
C. he or she
D. No change is necessary.
When swimmers (A) ignore the instructions of lifeguards, they (B) might drown, get stung by jellyfish, or have his or her (C) legs chewed off by hungry sharks.
A. a swimmer
B. he or she
C. their
D. No change is necessary.
Not only the attorneys but also the judge rolled their eyes in disbelief when Larry claimed that Fluff-Ball, the family poodle, ordered him to rob a bank.
A. his or her
B. her
C. its
D. No change is necessary.
The class voted unanimously to write one long research paper instead of several short essays for its (A) final grade. But once the difficult projects began, some students wished that A they (B) could change their (C) minds.
A. their
B. he or she
C. his or her
D. No change is necessary.

Answers
1-A
2-D
3-C
4-B
5-D

Assignment - 2
SENTENCE CORRECTION

She was informed that every one of them are aware of the fact.
(1) Were aware of
(2) are aware of
(3) was aware of
(4) Is aware of
(5) No correction
The bank is overstaffed, has led to low productivity.
(1) led to
(2) will lead towards
(3) and has led in
(4) which has led to
(5) No correction
You delay in taking a decision conveys a negative impression.
(1) You delay to take
(2) If you delay taking
(3) Your delay in taking
(4) To delay by taking
(5) No correction
Today management students itself are opted to work for NGOs even though salaries offered to them are low.
(1) student itself is
(2) students themselves are
(3) students have
(4) students himself has
(5)No correction required
Over-exploitation of ground water has been led to their levels falling drastically, causing droughts.
(l)has led to its levels falling drastically
(2) was leading its levels to be fallen drastically
(3) has been led to their levels drastically fell
(4) was being led to levels fell drastically
(5) No correction

Answers

Q.No	Ans	Remarks
1	3	Everyone is singular and was “Should be used as the first tense was past.
2	4	'Overstaffing' should be referred to by "which"
3	3	Delay belongs to the person, possessive "your" is the right word
4	3	Students is plural- "themselves" should be used
5	1	water should be referred to as "its"

Assignment - 3
SENTENCE CORRECTION

Each of the loan must be approved by the Branch Manager
(A) Every loan
(B) Each one of the loan
(C) Any of the loan
(D) All of the loan
(E) No correction
He is a good leader, knowing that to motivate his employees to achieve
(A) That known when
(B) Who knows how
(C) Which knows how
(D) Knowing what
(E) No correction
The stadium wherever the opening ceremony will be held next month, is equipped with the latest facilities.
(A) in the opening ceremony
(B) which the ceremony will open
(C) where the opening ceremony
(D) that the opening ceremony
(E) No correction required
This project would encourage development and enable every villager to govern their own destiny.
(A) to govern his
(B) to governing his
(C) have government their
(D) may govern their
(E) No correction
The magazine that we subscribe to is published monthly—
(A) which is subscribed
(B) we are subscribed"
(C) whom we subscribe
(D) whichever we subscribe
(E) No correction
We have accepted over two billion dollars from them yet it is been used to build a hospital in the area—
(A) that is yet to use
(B) although it has been used
(C) not yet being used
(D) which will be used
(E) No correction required
We admire they are taking this step despite the numerous risks involved—
(A) them to take
(B) them for taking
(C) that they have taken over
(D) how their taking of
(E) No correction required
It is necessary to ascertain that we can do to attract investment to the manufacturing sector.
(A) how we can do
(B) what we can do
(C) more can be done
(D) that has been done
(E) no correction
As a member of the Cabinet, Aiyar had the opportunity to observe debates and see which they were resolved.
(A) about they being resolved
(B) that it was resolved
(C) to its resolution
(D) how they were resolved
(E) No correction required.
This project would encourage development and enable every villager to govern their own destiny.
(A) to govern his
(B) to governing his
(C) have government their
(D) may govern their
(E) No correction

Answers

Q.No	Ans	Remarks
1	A	Each of should be followed by "loans", Every should be followed by "loan" because it is singular
2	B	Leader should be referred to by "who"
3	C	"where" should refer to the stadium as it is a location where the ceremony will be held
4	A	"villager" is singular "his" should be used
5	D
6	D	"two billion dollars" is singular and should be referred by which
7	B	"them" is correct as it as an object pronoun, "they” is a subject pronoun
8	B	"What" should be used in place of "that"
9	D	"How" refers to "debates"; "which" is a relative pronoun
10	A	"Each" is singular and should be referred to by "his"