A pronoun is used to replace a noun or noun phrase, known as an antecedent, in a sentence. The pronoun should agree in number and in person with its antecedent. Plural subjects, such as “people,” will require a plural antecedent. Singular subjects, such as “he,” will require a singular antecedent.
Example:
People are curious; they ask questions.
In this example, the pronoun (“they”) agrees with the antecedent (“people”) in both number and in person. Both are plural and require the third-person.
Example:
Betsy worked hard to perfect her writing.
In this example, we know the gender of the subject. The antecedent (“Betsy”) agrees in number (singular) and in person (second-person) with the pronoun (“her”).
Example:
The student worked hard to perfect their writing.
Use the pronoun “their” for one or multiple subjects of whose gender is unknown or for a subject whose preferred pronouns are they/them.
What if I have more than one subject?
For sentences that feature compound subjects (more than one subject), separate the two subjects to determine which pronoun is correct. Here are some examples:
| Benny and me left to get ice cream. | Benny left to get ice cream. Me left to get ice cream. |
The pronoun “me” is incorrect here. |
| Benny and I left to get ice cream. | Benny left to get ice cream. I left to get ice cream. |
This is an appropriate use of the pronoun “I.” |
There are object, subject, possessive, interrogative, relative, indefinite, and demonstrative pronouns.
Kinds of Pronoun, and When to Use Them
Object Pronouns
Object pronouns are those that replace an object noun.
They include me, you, him, her, it, us, them.
Example:
Twenty minutes into looking for my car keys, I finally found them. I
n this example, the object pronoun (“them”) replaces the object noun (“car keys”).
Example:
Erica, Tom, Lucy, and I went for a hike; it took us a long time to reach the top of the mountain.
In this example, the subjects of the sentence (“Erica, Tom, Lucy, and I”) are replaced by the object pronoun (“us”).
Subject Pronouns
Subject pronouns are those that replace a subject in a sentence.
They include I, you, he, she, it, we, they.
Example:
Jayden gave his little sister a present for Christmas. She was so excited!
In this example, the subject of the sentence (“sister”) is replaced with a subject pronoun (“she”).
Example:
Every Saturday, my mom and brother shop for groceries; they return home after an hour.
In this example, the subjects (“mom” and “brother”) are replaced by the subject pronoun (“they”).
Possessive Pronouns
Possessive pronouns can indicate possession in a sentence.
They include mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, theirs.
Example:
I noticed my friend was using a familiar comb; I then said, “That’s mine!”
In this example, “comb” is replaced by the possessive pronoun (“mine”).
Example:
Once Martha and Malik sell the old house, the new house on the lake will be theirs.
In this example, the possessive pronoun (“theirs”) indicates possession of the new house.
Interrogative Pronouns
Interrogative pronouns are used when a question is asked.
They include who, which, what, whom, and whose.
- “Who,” “whom,” and “whose” refer to people.
- “What” may refer to any noun.
- “Which” can be used to differentiate between two or more things.
Examples:
- Whose paper is that?
- Which TV show is your favorite?
- What time is it?
Relative Pronouns
Relative pronouns follow a noun or pronoun, and they introduce a relative clause.
They include who, whose, whom, which, and that.
Example:
Ashley was the one who read the book.
In this example, “who” follows the subject noun, Ashley, and refers back to her.
Example:
The community garden, which has suffered in previous years, seems to be flourishing.
In this example, “which” follows the object noun “garden,” and refers back to it.
Example:
The shoes that I just bought fit perfectly.
In this example, “that” follows the object noun “shoes,” and refers back to them.
Indefinite Pronouns
The group of pronouns that refer to a general group or thing are indefinite pronouns. These can be either singular or plural.
Singular indefinite pronouns
Singular indefinite pronouns will agree with a singular verb. Plural indefinite pronouns will agree with a plural verb.
They include one, each, either, neither, everyone, no one, anybody, somebody, everybody, anyone, and someone.
Examples:
- No one ever wants to do the dishes.
- Someone needs to answer the question.
- Each entree on the menu tastes great.
- Everybody wants to go to Florida for spring break.
Plural indefinite pronouns
Plural indefinite pronouns include several, both, many, others, and few.
Examples:
- If you want to see Dali’s paintings, there are several in the museum.
- Both want ice cream.
- Many believe that climate change is a hoax.
A word about a particularly tricky indefinite pronoun: none… None can mean the same thing as not one or not any and can be either singular or plural.
Demonstrative Pronouns
Demonstrative pronouns help to differentiate between two choices, and they can emphasize a particular noun.
These pronouns include this, these, that, and those.
Examples:
- I would rather eat this than that.
- Those are my favorite.
- Try this.
- Can I have that?
*Pronouns may sacrifice clarity in your writing if you are discussing multiple subjects at a time. Make sure the reader knows directly who or what you are referring to — pronouns are not always necessary.
Works cited:
- “Pronouns.” The Writing Center at George Mason U, 2020.
