A pronoun

What is a Pronoun?

     In grammar, a pronoun is defined as a word or phrase that may be substituted for a noun or noun phrase. They can be divided into numerous categories including:

• Indefinite pronouns – thosereferring to one or more unspecified objects, beings, or places
• Personal pronouns – those associated with a grammatical person
• Reflexive pronouns – those preceded by the adverb, adjective, pronoun, or noun to which they refer
• Demonstrative pronouns – those used to point to something specific within a sentence
• Possessive pronouns – those designating possession
• Relative pronouns – those which refer to nouns mentioned previously

     There are a few important rules for using pronouns. Keep these in mind and you will discover that pronouns are easy to work with.

• Subject pronouns may be used to begin sentences. For example: We did a great job.
• Subject pronouns may also be used to rename the subject. For example: It was she who decided we should go to Hawaii.
• Object pronouns are used as direct objects, indirect objects, and objects of prepositions. These include you, me, him, her, us, them, and it. For example: David talked to her about the mistake.
• Possessive pronouns show ownership. They do not need apostrophes. For example: The cat washed its whiskers.

Examples of Pronouns

1.     We are going on vacation.

2.   Don’t tell me you can’t go with us.

3.   Anybody who says it won’t be fun has no clue what they are talking about.

Pronoun Exercises

     The following exercises will help you gain greater understanding about how pronouns work. Choose the best answer to complete each sentence.
1. This is ______________ speaking.
a. John
b. He
c. He john
d. Am

Answer: B. This is he speaking.

2. Greg is as smart as _____________ is.
a. Jennifer
b. Her
c. She
d. Who

Answer: C. Greg is as smart as she is.

3. The dog chewed on _________ favorite toy.
a. it’s
b. it is
c. its’
d. its

Answer: D. The dog chewed on its favorite toy.

4. It could have been __________________.
a. Jerry
b. anyone
c. better
d. more difficult

Answer: B. It could have been anyone.

5. Terry is taller than _______ am.
a. I
b. me
c. she
d. we

Answer: A. Terry is taller than I am.