PRONOUN

A pronoun is a word used in place of one or more nouns. We use pronouns to:

 Refer to a noun (called its antecedent) that usually comes before the pronoun
 Make our writing clearer, smoother, and less awkward

In the sentence, “Roberto feels that he can win the race,” he is the pronoun, and
Roberto is the antecedent. In the sentence, “Terry and Jim know that they are best
friends,” they is the pronoun, and Terry and Jim are the noun antecedents.

There are several types of pronouns.

S O Possessive Possessive Reflexive Pronoun

Adjective * noun **
I Me My Mine Myself
You You Your Yours Yourself/Yourselves
We Us Our Ours Ourselves
They Them Their Theirs Themselves
She Her Her Hers Herself
He Him His His Himself
It It Its Its Itself
* : must be followed by noun
** : must not be followed by noun

a. Subject Pronoun versus Object Pronoun

A subject Pronoun is used as the subject of a verb while an object pronoun can be
used as the object of a verb or the object of a preposition.

Me and my friend are taking a trip. -> I and my friend are taking a trip.
We offered she a place to stay. -> We offered her a place to stay.
Our neighbors are going with you and I. -> Our neighbors are going with you and
me.

b. Possessive Adjective versus Possessive Pronoun

A possessive adjective describes a noun therefore it must be accompanied by
noun whereas a possessive pronoun takes the place of a noun therefore it cannot
be accompanied by Noun.

The students turned in theirs papers. -> The students turned in their papers.
I would like to borrow your. -> I would like to borrow yours.
 c. Pronoun Reference
After you have checked that the subject and object pronouns and the possessives
are used correctly, you should also check each of these pronouns and possessives
fro agreement with its referent.

Examples:
The cookies are for you, so please take it. -> Pronoun it refers to the cookies
(plural), therefore it must be changed into them.

Each person has to sign their application form. -> Pronoun Their refers to each
person (singular), therefore their must be changed into she or he.

d. A demonstrative pronoun is used to point out a specific person or thing. These

pronouns include this and that (Singular) and these and those (Plural).

“Theresa, is this your book?”

“Theresa, are these your books?

A. Pronouns Quiz

1. Choose the sentence with the correct pronoun.

A) Her went to the store.

B) She went to the store.

2. Choose the sentence with the correct pronoun.

A) We talked to him.
B) We talked to he.

3. Choose the sentence with the correct pronoun.

A) Talk to they before making a decision.

B) Talk to them before making a decision.

4. Choose the sentence with the correct pronoun.

A) Saleha and she have quit the team.

B) Saleha and her have quit the team.

5. Choose the sentence with the correct pronouns.

A) That call was for I, not he.

B) That call was for me, not him.
C) That call was for me, not he.
D) That call was for I, not him.

6. Choose the sentence with the correct pronouns.

A) You didn't tell we that they were here first.

B) You didn't tell us that them were here first.
C) You didn't tell us that they were here first.
D) You didn't tell we that them were here first.

7. Choose the sentence with the correct pronouns.

A) I wonder what he could have said to she.

B) I wonder what him could have said to her.
C) Me wonder what him could have said to she.
D) I wonder what he could have said to her.

B. Samples from TOEFL:

1. Animals like frogs have waterproof skin that prevents they from drying out
A B C
Quickly in air, sun, or wind.
D

2. Because of its ability to survive close to human habitation, the Virginia deer has
A B C
actually increased their range and numbers.
D

3. The petunia, a popular garden plant commonly grown for their colorful, often striped
A B C
flowers, is a relative of potato.
D

4. Young chimpanzees can learn over 200 signs of American Sign Language and use this
A B C
signs to communicate with humans.
D

5. Plants obtain they nutrients from water, from minerals, and from the carbohydrates they
A B C
manufacture.
D
6. The crow, blackfoot and Sioux tribes traditionally adorned they dwellings and costumes
A B
with colorful and highly valued beaded decorations.
C D
7. The dancer and choreographer Twyla Tharp grew up in Los Angeles, California, and hers
A B
childhood included comprehensive training in music and dance.
C D
8. Contrary to its reputation for aggressive behavior, wasps stings humans only when
A B C D
threatened, frightened, or provoked in some way.

9. The carbon-arc lamp, a very bright electric lamp used for spotlight, consists of two
A B
Carbon electrodes with a high-current are passing between it.
C D
10. Hummingbirds, named for the noise of its rapid wingbeats, are the only birds capable of
A B C
flying backwards
D
11. Numerous internationally known violinists received its professional training at the
A B C D
Julliard School in New York.