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Personal Pronouns

Personal pronouns are used in place of nouns that refer to specific people or things. They help us avoid repetition and make our sentences more concise and fluid.

Example

Without personal pronouns: “John went to the store. John bought some apples. John ate the apples when John got home.”

With personal pronouns: “John went to the store. He bought some apples. He ate them when he got home.”

In this example, “he” replaces “John” and “them” replaces “the apples.” This makes the sentences flow more smoothly and eliminates unnecessary repetition.

Types of Personal Pronouns

Personal pronouns can be categorized into two main types:

  1. Subject Pronouns
  2. Object Pronouns

Let’s delve into each type and understand their roles in sentences.

1. Subject Pronouns

Subject pronouns are used as the subject of a sentence or clause. They perform the action in a sentence.

Person Singular Plural
First I We
Second You You
Third He/She/It They

Examples:

  • I am going to the store.
  • They are studying for their exam.

2. Object Pronouns

Object pronouns receive the action in a sentence. They can be direct objects, indirect objects, or objects of prepositions.

Person Singular Plural
First Me Us
Second You You
Third Him/Her/It Them

Examples:

  • Please give the book to me.
  • The teacher praised them for their hard work.

Usage and Common Mistakes

Subject-Verb Agreement

When using personal pronouns, it’s crucial to maintain proper subject-verb agreement. This means the verb should match the number and person of the pronoun.

Correct: She is going to the party. Incorrect: She are going to the party.

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

The pronoun should agree in number and gender with its antecedent (the noun it replaces).

Correct: Each student should bring his or her own lunch. Incorrect: Each student should bring their own lunch. (In formal writing; however, singular “they” is becoming more accepted in modern usage)

Compound Subjects

When using compound subjects with personal pronouns, be careful with the order and pronoun choice.

Correct: John and I are going to the movies. Incorrect: Me and John are going to the movies.

Reflexive Pronouns

Reflexive pronouns (myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves) should be used only to refer back to the subject of the clause or to add emphasis.

Correct: I hurt myself while cooking. Incorrect: Please give the report to John or myself.

Key Takeaways

  • Personal pronouns replace specific nouns in sentences to avoid repetition.
  • There are two main types of personal pronouns: subject pronouns and object pronouns.
  • Subject pronouns perform the action in a sentence, while object pronouns receive the action.
  • Always ensure proper subject-verb agreement when using personal pronouns.
  • Be mindful of pronoun-antecedent agreement, especially in formal writing.
  • Use the correct order and pronoun choice in compound subjects.
  • Reflexive pronouns should only be used to refer back to the subject or for emphasis.

FAQs

What is the difference between ‘who’ and ‘whom’?

‘Who’ is a subject pronoun, while ‘whom’ is an object pronoun. Use ‘who’ when the pronoun is the subject of a clause, and ‘whom’ when it’s the object. For example:

  • Who is going to the party? (subject)
  • To whom should I address this letter? (object)
Is it correct to use ’they’ as a singular pronoun? While traditionally ’they’ was used only as a plural pronoun, it’s becoming increasingly accepted as a singular pronoun, especially when the gender is unknown or to be inclusive of non-binary individuals. In formal writing, some still prefer ‘he or she,’ but many style guides now accept singular ’they.’
How do I choose between ‘I’ and ‘me’ in a sentence?

Use ‘I’ when it’s the subject of the sentence, and ‘me’ when it’s the object. A quick trick is to remove the other person from the sentence and see which sounds correct. For example:

  • “John and I went to the store” (I went to the store)
  • “The teacher gave John and me homework” (The teacher gave me homework)
What are possessive pronouns and how are they different from personal pronouns?

Possessive pronouns show ownership and include words like ‘mine,’ ‘yours,’ ‘his,’ ‘hers,’ ‘its,’ ‘ours,’ and ’theirs.’ Unlike personal pronouns, they replace both the noun and the possessive adjective. For example:

  • This is my book. This book is mine.
  • That is her car. That car is hers.
Can personal pronouns change in formal vs. informal writing?

Yes, personal pronoun usage can vary between formal and informal writing. For example:

  • In formal writing, using ‘one’ as an indefinite pronoun is common: “One should always proofread one’s work.”
  • In informal writing or speech, ‘you’ is often used instead: “You should always proofread your work.” Additionally, singular ’they’ is more commonly accepted in informal contexts.
Last updated on August 17, 2024
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