We use a bunch of different pronouns in our writing and in speech. Listed below are just some of the pronouns that we use every day:. There are many different types of pronouns that we use in writing and speech. For now, we will briefly look at each of these different types. If you want to explore each one in more detail, we have provided an extensive guide to each type of pronoun in the links below:. A possessive pronoun is a pronoun that expresses possession, ownership, origin, relationship, etc.

Personal pronouns are pronouns that we use to refer to people and, sometimes, animals. The pronouns it , they , and them can also apply to objects. Do you know the history behind using they and themself as singular pronouns? Find out more and why they are making a comeback now.

Relative pronouns connect dependent clauses to independent clauses. A reflexive pronoun is a pronoun used as an object of a verb that refers to the same person or thing as the subject of the verb. Intensive pronouns refer back to the subject in order to add emphasis. Intensive pronouns are identical in appearance to reflexive pronouns. Demonstrative pronouns are used to point to specific things. Interrogative pronouns are pronouns used to ask questions about unknown people or things.

Reciprocal pronouns express mutual relationships or actions. Singular pronouns refer to a single person or thing. Like singular nouns, singular pronouns must use singular verbs. Plural pronouns refer to multiple people or things. Plural pronouns must use plural verbs. When using a pronoun, it must agree in number with its antecedent. This means that a singular noun can only be replaced by a singular pronoun, and a plural noun can only be replaced by a plural pronoun.

Take a look at the following two examples:. Of these two sentences, only the first one makes sense. Arts and humanities · Grammar · Parts of speech: the pronoun · Introduction to pronouns. Google Classroom Facebook Twitter. Video transcript - [Voiceover] Hello grammarians.

We're going to start talking about pronouns today, and of course that begins with the question, What are pronouns? Allow me to answer that question by way of a demonstration. Emma laughed so hard, milk came out of Emma's nose. Zach lifted the log. Zach found a worm under the log.

So, these sentences don't have pronouns, but what they do have is repeated nouns. Here we have Emma and then we say Emma's again, and then we say Zach and the log, and then we say Zach and the log. But, people are smart, right? We have relatively long attention spans, and so if we start off a sentence talking about Emma, and we're pretty sure that we're still talking about Emma, we don't need to say that name twice.

We don't need to say Emma and then Emma again. Personal pronouns are pronouns that refer to specific individuals and groups. Personal pronouns include:. Remember how we mentioned that in order to use a pronoun, you need to introduce the noun first? That noun has a name: an antecedent.

Antecedents are necessary because pronouns are versatile. Take a look at these examples to see how antecedents and pronouns work together:. There are also circumstances where you might not introduce the noun first and instead reveal it after using only pronouns to refer to your subject.

You might do this for dramatic or poetic effect in a piece of creative writing. Relative pronouns are another class of pronouns. They connect relative clauses to independent clauses. Often, they introduce additional information about something mentioned in the sentence.

Relative pronouns include these words:. Traditionally, who refers to people, and which and that refer to animals or things. Here are a few examples of relative pronouns at work:. Knowing when to use who and when to use whom trips a lot of writers up. The difference is actually pretty simple: Who is for the subject of a sentence, and whom is for the object of a verb or preposition. See the difference? Who is a subject pronoun. Whom is an object pronoun, which puts it in the same category as me, him, her, them, and us.

With the new pronoun in place, determine if the sentence still makes sense. That, this, these , and those are demonstrative pronouns. They take the place of a noun or noun phrase that has already been mentioned or is clear through context, either in written or verbal communication. This is used for singular items that are nearby. These is used for multiple items that are nearby. The distance can be physical or metaphorical.

Take a look at these examples:. That is used for singular items that are far away. Those is used for multiple items that are far away. Again, the distance can be physical or metaphorical. Here are a few examples of these pronouns in action:. Some common indefinite pronouns are one, other, none, some, anybody, everybody , and no one. Here are a few examples of indefinite pronouns in sentences:. When indefinite pronouns function as subjects of a sentence or clause, they usually take singular verbs.

Reflexive pronouns end in -self or -selves :. Use a reflexive pronoun when both the subject and object of a verb refer to the same person or thing.

Here are a few examples:. Using myself when you mean me is a common mistake writers and speakers make.

You use pronouns every day. Write with confidence Grammarly helps you communicate the way you intend Write with Grammarly. Pronouns do a whole lot more than turn phrases into sentences.

Read on to learn about the different ways we use pronouns and how to use them to construct sentences. can strengthen your grasp of English grammar and make you a stronger writer. Pronouns are short words we swap in for other nouns to make our writing and speech faster and more varied.

Pronouns make up a small subcategory of nouns. The distinguishing characteristic of pronouns is that they can be substituted for other nouns.

For example:. Instead, you can use the pronouns she and her to refer to Sarah:. Pronouns can replace both proper and common nouns. Certain pronouns have specific rules about when they can be used, such as how it should never be used to refer to a human being. We explain all of the different types and their associated rules below. When you think of pronouns, you most likely think of personal pronouns.

Personal pronouns are pronouns that refer to specific individuals and groups. Personal pronouns include:.

Remember how we mentioned that in order to use a pronoun, you need to introduce the noun first? That noun has a name: an antecedent. Antecedents are necessary because pronouns are versatile. Take a look at these examples to see how antecedents and pronouns work together:. There are also circumstances where you might not introduce the noun first and instead reveal it after using only pronouns to refer to your subject.

You might do this for dramatic or poetic effect in a piece of creative writing. Relative pronouns are another class of pronouns. They connect relative clauses to independent clauses. Often, they introduce additional information about something mentioned in the sentence.

Relative pronouns include these words:. Traditionally, who refers to people, and which and that refer to animals or things. Here are a few examples of relative pronouns at work:. Knowing when to use who and when to use whom trips a lot of writers up. The difference is actually pretty simple: Who is for the subject of a sentence, and whom is for the object of a verb or preposition.

See the difference? Who is a subject pronoun. Whom is an object pronoun, which puts it in the same category as me, him, her, them, and us. With the new pronoun in place, determine if the sentence still makes sense. That, this, these , and those are demonstrative pronouns.

They take the place of a noun or noun phrase that has already been mentioned or is clear through context, either in written or verbal communication. This is used for singular items that are nearby. These is used for multiple items that are nearby. The distance can be physical or metaphorical. Take a look at these examples:. That is used for singular items that are far away. Those is used for multiple items that are far away. Again, the distance can be physical or metaphorical.

Here are a few examples of these pronouns in action:. Some common indefinite pronouns are one, other, none, some, anybody, everybody , and no one. Here are a few examples of indefinite pronouns in sentences:. When indefinite pronouns function as subjects of a sentence or clause, they usually take singular verbs. Reflexive pronouns end in -self or -selves :. Use a reflexive pronoun when both the subject and object of a verb refer to the same person or thing.

Here are a few examples:. Using myself when you mean me is a common mistake writers and speakers make. Reflexive pronouns are only correct when the subject and object of a sentence are the same. Intensive pronouns look the same as reflexive pronouns, but their purpose is different. Intensive pronouns add emphasis. Compare these two sentences:. See how the second one emphasizes that the builder had no outside help?

Intensive pronouns can help you express pride, shock, disbelief, credulousness or incredulousness , or any other strong emotion. Here are a few more examples:. Possessive pronouns are pronouns that show possession.

They include the following:. These can also be called possessive adjectives if they modify a noun in a sentence. Take a look at these examples of possessive adjectives in action:. This category also includes independent versions of possessive pronouns. These include:. Interrogative pronouns are used in questions. The interrogative pronouns are who, what, which, and whose. Here are a few examples of interrogative pronouns at play:. These pronouns refer to two or more people who are both the subject of the sentence.

Distributive pronouns refer to people, animals, and objects as individuals within larger groups. Distributive pronouns include the following:. Here are a few examples of distributive pronouns in sentences:.

As you can see, pronouns do a lot. And there are a lot of them. Take a look at the different types of pronouns and their forms at a glance:. You might have even been prompted to list your pronouns in your own.

The most common gender-neutral pronoun is the singular they. However, language is constantly evolving, and new types of singular third-person pronouns have emerged that refer to people entirely without reference to gender, such as noun-self pronouns.

A post shared by Grammarly grammarly. When somebody tells you their pronouns, using their pronouns is an act of respect. For some gender-neutral and gender-inclusive pronouns, the different forms to use are obvious.

Take a look at this table including some of the most common gender-neutral and inclusive pronouns:. And if you accidentally use the wrong pronoun, simply apologize for doing so and make an effort to use the correct pronoun in future conversations.

Writing is like completing a puzzle, and pronouns are important pieces of that puzzle. This article was originally written in Grammarly stands with our friends, colleagues, and family in Ukraine, and with all people of Ukraine. Real-time suggestions, wherever you write. Pronouns Lindsay Kramer. Write with confidence.

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Grammar Transitive Verbs: Definition and Examples. Writing, grammar, and communication tips for your inbox. Get real-time suggestions wherever you write. I brought all the snacks.

The professor who ran the meeting ended it promptly. I ordered Hawaiian pizza. I like that a lot.

Object pronouns are used for the object of a verb or preposition John likes me but not her. SIL International. Remember how we mentioned that in order to use a pronoun, you need to introduce the noun first? Some occur as independent noun phrases: mine , yours , hers , ours , theirs. Please help improve the article by providing more context for the reader. Main page Contents Current events Random article About Wikipedia Contact us Donate. The Australian National University.

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