2. One, you, we and they are generic
personal pronouns. We can
use one, you, we and they to refer
to ‘people in general’.
3. When we are making generalizations and not referring to any one person in particular.
When used like this, one, you and we can include the speaker or writer:
• One can use the Internet without understanding cookies. (or You can use … or We
can use …)
• You usually need a raincoat in Ireland. It rains a lot.
• We tend to avoid talking about money.
One is much more formal than you or we, and is rare in speaking:
• One would have thought that agreement could be reached easily on that matter.
We can use one’s before a noun as a possessive determiner:
• Conversations with one’s children are extremely predictable, especially as they hit
adolescence.
4. We can use they to talk about a wide group of people, such as an authority or an
institution. In such cases, they does not refer to specific people:
• They’re chopping down the rainforests.
• They’ve opened a new cinema in the town centre.
• They started running yoga classes at the school.
We use they and them to refer back to the indefinite pronouns someone, anyone,
everyone when we do not know the number or gender. We also use they and them in
question tags:
If someone comes with a parcel for me, can you ask them to take it next door?
I believe anyone can do anything if they really want to enough, can’t they?
6. Reflexive pronouns
1. After the verb
• I bought myself a book.
• You should introduce yourself to your neighbors.
• I bought her a book.
2. Emphasis
• Let's paint the house ourselves.
• John himself told me the story.
7. Reflexive pronouns
3. After the verb
• I bought myself a book.
• You should introduce yourself to your neighbors.
• I bought her a book.
8. Reciprocal pronouns
4. Each other, one another
• - Jim and Ann bought each other presents for Christmas:
Jim bought a present for Ann and Ann bought a present for Jim.
• - Jim and Ann bought themselves presents for their birthday
Jim bought a present for himself and Ann bought a present for herself.
