4. Object Pronouns
An object pronoun is used as the
direct/indirect object or the object o
f a preposition.
Give the book to me.
The teacher gave her a reprimand.
I will tell you a story.
Susan read it to them.
5. List of Personal Pronouns
Singular Plural
I we
you you
he, she, it they
Subject Pronouns
me us
you you
him, her, it them
Object Pronouns
6. PRONOUNS AND ANTECEDENTS
Read the following sentences. Can you
tell to whom the word She refers?
Arachne competes with Athena. She
weaves skillfully.
The sentence is not clear because the word
She could refer to either Arachne or At
hena. Sometimes you must repeat a nou
n or rewrite the sentence.
Arachne competes with Athena. Athena we
aves skillfully.
7. PRONOUNS AND ANTECEDENTS
The noun or group of words that a pro
noun refers to is called its antecede
nt.
When you use a pronoun, you should be sure that
it refers to its antecedent clearly. Be especiall
y careful when you use the pronoun they. Re
ad the following sentence.
They have several books about Greek
myths at the library.
Continue
8. PRONOUNS AND ANTECEDENTS
The meaning of They is unclear. The s
entence can be improved by rewriti
ng it in the following manner.
Several books about myths are ava
ilable at the library.
9. PRONOUNS AND ANTECEDENTS
When using pronouns, you must also
make sure that they agree with thei
r antecedents in number (singular o
r plural) and gender. The gender o
f a noun may be masculine (male), f
eminine (female), or neutral (referr
ing to things). Notice how the pron
ouns on the next slide agree with th
eir antecedents.
Continue
10. PRONOUNS AND ANTECEDENTS
1. The myth of Arachne is amusing. I
enjoyed it.
2. The bystanders see Athena. They
watch her at the loom.
In the first sentence, myth is the antec
edent of the pronoun it.
In the second sentence, bystanders is t
he antecedent of They, and Athena
is the antecedent of her.
11. Using Pronouns Correctly
Subject pronouns are used in compoun
d subjects, and object pronouns are
used in compound objects.
He and Carmen wrote a report on the
ubject. (Not Him and Carmen)
Tell John and me about Hercules. (No
t John and I)
Continue
12. Using Pronouns Correctly
A preposition takes an object, just as
many verbs do. The object of a prepo
sition can be simple or compound. In
either case, use an object pronoun as t
he object of the preposition.
Lee read a famous myth to me.
Lee read a famous Roman myth
to John and me.
Continue
13. Using Pronouns Correctly
If you are not sure of which form of the pr
onoun to use, say the sentence aloud with o
nly the pronoun as the subject or the objec
t. Your ear will tell you which form is cor
rect.
Whenever the pronoun I is part of a comp
ound subject, it should always be placed af
ter the other parts of the subject. Similarl
y, when the pronoun me is part of a compo
und object, it should go after the other par
ts of the object. Continue
14. Using Pronouns Correctly
Lee and I read some ancient Roma
n myths. (Not I and Lee)
Mythology interests Lee and me. (
Not me and Lee).
Continue
15. Using Pronouns Correctly
In formal writing and speech use a
subject pronoun after a linking ver
b.
The writer of this report was she.
It is I. Continue
16. Possessive Pronouns
A possessive pronoun is a p
ronoun that shows who or what
has something. A possessive pro
noun may take the place of a pos
sessive noun.
Read the following sentences. Notice th
e possessive nouns and the possessiv
e pronouns that replace them.
Continue
17. Possessive Pronouns
Homer’s story is famous.
His story is famous.
This story is Homer’s.
This story is his.
Possessive nouns are in green. Possessive pronouns are i
n red.
Continue
18. Possessive Pronouns
Possessive pronouns have two forms. One form is used
before a noun. The other form is used alone.
ours
yours
theirs
mine
yours
his, hers, its
Used
alone
our
your
their
my
your
his, her, its
Used bef
ore noun
s
Plural
Singular
Continue
19. Possessive Pronouns
Possessive pronouns are not written with apostrophes. The
pronoun its, for example, shows possession. The word
it’s, on the other hand, is a contraction of it is. Rea
d the following sentences. Notice the meaning of the w
ords in red type.
Its central character is Odysseus. (possessive pronoun)
It’s about the adventures of Odysseus. (contracti
on of It is)
20. Indefinite Pronouns
An indefinite pronoun is a pronoun that doe
s not refer to a particular person, place,
or thing.
Does anyone know the story of Midas?
Most indefinite pronouns are either singular
or plural.
Continue
21. Some Indefinite Pronouns
Continue
Singular Plural
another everybody no one
anybody everyone nothing
anyone everything one
anything much somebody
each neither someone
either nobody something
both
few
many
others
several
All, any, most, none and some can be singula
r or plural, depending on the phrase that fol
lows them.
22. Some Indefinite Pronouns
Continue
When an indefinite pronoun is used as the subjec
t, the verb must agree with it in number.
Everyone discusses the plot. (singular)
Both talk about King Minos. (plural)
All of mythology is about beliefs and ideals. (singular)
All of the myths are about beliefs and ideals. (plural)
23. Some Indefinite Pronouns
Continue
Possessive pronouns often have indefinite pronouns
as their antecedents. In such cases, the pronouns m
ust agree in number. Note that in the first example
the intervening prepositional phrase does not affect
the agreement.
Each of the characters has his or her motive.
Several have conflict with their rivals.
24. Reflexive Pronouns
Continue
A reflexive pronoun refers to a noun or another p
ronoun and indicates that the same person or thin
g is involved. Reflexive pronouns are formed by
adding –self or –selves to certain personal and po
ssessive pronouns
The woman found herself a book of folktales.
Reflexive Pronoun
26. Intensive Pronouns
Continue
An intensive pronoun is a pronoun that adds emp
hasis to a noun or pronoun already named.
George himself bought a copy of American Tall T
ales.
He himself paid for the book.
