English - Pronouns

Subject

Subject pronouns include I, you, he, she, it, we, and they. As their name implies, subject pronouns always function as subjects of a sentence.

This category of subject pronouns is a closed category. In other words, the pronouns listed are the complete set. No changes or additions exist.

Objective

Objective pronouns include me, you, him, her, it, us, and them. Objective pronouns always function as objects in a sentence, for example:

• the direct object,
• the indirect object,
• or the object of a preposition.

This category of object pronouns is a closed category. In other words, the pronouns listed are the complete set. No changes or additions occur.

Indefinite

Indefinite pronouns can function as either:

• subjects
• or objects.

They're called indefinite pronouns because they're not specific. They refer to nothing specifically. They're general. They're generic.

Singular or plural verbs ?: They can be also singular or plural or both (depending on the context in which they are used). The reason this is most important is because the number of the pronoun determines the number of the verb to be used.

• Singular indefinite pronouns use singular verbs.
• Plural indefinite pronouns use plural verbs.

Example:

• Everyone seems to have a social media account. (subject)
• Most of the pie has been eaten. (Singular)
• Most of the pies have been eaten. (Plural)

Relative

Relative pronouns include, most commonly:

• that,
• which,
• who,
• whom,
• whoever,
• whomever,
• and where.

Relative pronouns introduce Adjective clauses.

Demonstrative

Demonstrative pronouns include This, That, These, and Those and can function as:

• subjects,
• objects,
• and adjectives.

Demonstrative pronouns have only two characteristics:

1. they represent number (one item or more than one item),
2. they describe whether these items are near in distance or time OR far in distance or time.

This category of demonstrative pronouns is a closed category. In other words, the ones listed are the complete set. No changes or additions occur.

Below are several examples of sentences using demonstrative pronouns as subjects.

• This is the best place to park.
• These are the strawberries that are on sale.
• That really got to me.
• Those fell off the truck.

The following sentences use demonstrative pronouns as objects.

• “Get as close as you can to that,” he stated, pointing to the loading dock.
• “I want a handful of these,” she laughed picking up the strawberries.

Below are two sentences that use demonstrative pronouns as adjectives.

• I need a picture of those flowers.
• This phone is the one I truly want.

Possessive

Possessive pronouns are pronouns used to refer to subjects in sentences that are:

• specific person/people
• or thing/things

belonging to a person/people [and sometimes to an animal(s) or thing(s)].

Possessive pronouns function as subjects, objects, and adjectives.

Sentence examples using possessive pronouns as objects include.

• That backpack looks like mine.
• The restaurant’s bouillabaisse tastes similar to ours.

The following examples use possessive pronouns as adjectives.

• That is my seat in which you are sitting.
• Your seat is at the end of the row.

Interrogative

Interrogative pronouns are used to ask questions.

These pronouns represent the thing that isn’t known (what the question is asking about). Interrogative pronouns can stand in for subjects.

This category of interrogative pronouns is a closed category. In other words, the ones listed are the complete set. There will be no changes or additions.

Example:

• Who borrowed my pencil?
• What will happen tomorrow?
• Which seems to be the most popular?
• Whose is the red blanket?

Reflexive

See intensive

Intensive

Reflexive and Intensive pronouns each use the same forms.

This category of reflexive and intensive pronouns is a closed category. In other words, the ones listed are the complete set. There will be no changes or additions.

Reflexive pronouns function as objects in a sentence; they show subjects performing actions on themselves.

Below are two sentences using reflexive pronouns as objects.

• He enjoyed himself painting the shed.
• Chandra and Wallace watched themselves on video prepare the meal.

Intensive pronouns emphasize another noun or pronoun. See the following examples.

• You yourself will be responsible for the delivery.
• Raul and I ourselves seem to be the only people who want to hike the gorge.