##  [Pronoun](/hypergrammar-2/what-is-a-pronoun)

##  Avertissement

Ce contenu est offert en anglais seulement.

A pronoun replaces a [noun](what-is-a-noun#noun) or another pronoun. Pronouns such as *he*, *which*, *none* and *you* make [sentences](subject-and-predicate) less cumbersome and less repetitive.

Grammarians classify pronouns into several types: personal, demonstrative, interrogative, indefinite, relative, reflexive and intensive.

## Personal pronouns

A personal pronoun refers to a specific person or thing and changes its form to indicate [person](noun-and-pronoun-characteristics#person), [number](noun-and-pronoun-characteristics#number), [gender](noun-and-pronoun-characteristics#gender) and [case](noun-and-pronoun-characteristics).

## Subjective personal pronouns

A subjective personal pronoun indicates that the pronoun is acting as the [subject](subject-and-predicate#subject) of the sentence. The subjective personal pronouns are *I*, *you*, *she*, *he*, *it*, *we* and *they*.

In the following sentences, each of the highlighted words is a subjective personal pronoun and acts as a subject:

- *I* was glad to find my bus pass in the bottom of my knapsack.
- *You* are surely the strangest person *I* have ever met.
- *He* stole the SUV and forced her to go with him.
- When *she* was a young woman, *she* earned her living as a coal miner.
- After many years, *they* returned to their homeland.
- *We* will meet at the library at 3:30 p.m.
- *It* is on the kitchen counter.
- Are *you* the delegates from Prince Edward Island?

## Objective personal pronouns

An objective personal pronoun indicates that the pronoun is acting as an [object](objects-and-complements#objects) of a [verb](what-is-a-verb#whatisverb), [compound verb](compound-verbs#verbcmp), [preposition](what-is-a-preposition#whatispreposit) or [infinitive phrase](the-function-of-phrases#infinitivephrase). The objective personal pronouns are *me*, *you*, *her*, *him*, *it*, *us* and *them*.

In the following examples, each of the highlighted words is an objective personal pronoun.

| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The carjacker stole the SUV and forced *her* to go with *him*. | The objective personal pronoun *her* is the [direct object](objects-and-complements#directobject) of the verb *forced*, and the objective personal pronoun *him* is the object of the preposition *with*. |
| After reading the pamphlet, Judy threw *it* into the garbage can. | The objective personal pronoun *it* is the direct object of the verb *threw*. |
| The moderator stood up, faced the angry delegates and said, “Our leader will address *you* in five minutes.” | The objective personal pronoun *you* is the direct object of the verb *address*. |
| Joe and Roberta will meet *us* at the Thai café in the market. | The objective personal pronoun *us* is the direct object of the compound verb *will meet*. |
| Give the list to *me*. | The objective personal pronoun *me* is the object of the preposition *to*. |
| I’m not sure that my contact will talk to *you*. | The objective personal pronoun *you* is the object of the preposition *to*. |
| Christopher was surprised to see *her* at the drag races. | The objective personal pronoun *her* is the object of the infinitive verb phrase *to see*. |

## Possessive personal pronouns

A possessive pronoun indicates that the pronoun is acting as a marker of possession and shows who or what the object or person belongs to. The possessive personal pronouns are *mine*, *yours*, *hers*, *his*, *its*, *ours* and *theirs*. Note that possessive personal pronouns are very similar to [possessive adjectives](what-is-an-adjective#adjective) such as *my*, *her* and *their*.

In each of the following examples, the highlighted word is a possessive personal pronoun.

| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The smallest and most expensive gift is *mine*. | The possessive personal pronoun *mine* functions as a [subject complement](objects-and-complements#scmplmnt). |
| This is *yours*. | The possessive personal pronoun *yours* functions as a subject complement. |
| *His* is on the kitchen counter. | The possessive personal pronoun *his* acts as the subject of the sentence. |
| *Theirs* will be delivered tomorrow. | The possessive personal pronoun *theirs* is the subject of the sentence. |
| *Ours* is the green one on the corner. | The possessive personal pronoun *ours* functions as the subject of the sentence. |

## Demonstrative pronouns

A demonstrative pronoun points to and identifies a noun or pronoun. The demonstrative pronouns are *this*, *that*, *these* and *those*.

*This* and *these* refer to things that are nearby either in space or in time, while *that* and *those* refer to things that are farther away in space or time.

*This* and *that* refer to [singular](noun-and-pronoun-characteristics#singular) nouns or [noun phrases](the-function-of-phrases#phrsubj), and *these* and *those* refer to [plural](noun-and-pronoun-characteristics#plural) nouns and noun phrases. Though demonstrative pronouns are identical in form to [demonstrative adjectives](what-is-an-adjective#adjective), they are used differently. It is important to note that *that* can also be a relative pronoun.

In the following sentences, each of the highlighted words is a demonstrative pronoun.

| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| *This* must not continue. | The demonstrative pronoun *this* is used as the subject of the compound verb *must continue*. |
| *This* is puny; *that* is the tree I want. | The demonstrative pronoun *this* is the subject and refers to something close to the speaker. The demonstrative pronoun *that* is also a subject but refers to something farther away from the speaker. |
| Three customers wanted *these*. | The demonstrative pronoun *these* is the direct object of the verb *wanted*. |

## Interrogative pronouns

An interrogative pronoun asks a question. The interrogative pronouns are *who*, *whom*, *which* and *what* as well as the compounds they form with the [suffix](word-formation#suffix) *ever* (*whoever*, *whomever*, *whichever* and *whatever*). Note that *which* and *what* are also [interrogative adjectives](<what-is-an-adjective#interrogative adjective>). Likewise, *who*, *whom* and *which* are also relative pronouns.

*Who*, *whom* (and \[occasionally\] *which*) refer to people, while *which* and *what* refer to things and animals.

*Who* acts as the subject of a verb, and *whom* acts as the object of a verb, preposition or [verbal](verbals#verbals).

The highlighted word in each of the following sentences is an interrogative pronoun.

| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| *Which* of you wants to see the dentist first? | The interrogative pronoun *which* is the subject of the sentence. |
| *Who* wrote this novel? | The interrogative pronoun *who* is the subject of the sentence. |
| *Whom* do you think we should invite? | The interrogative pronoun *whom* is the object of the verb *invite*. |
| To *whom* do you wish to speak? | The interrogative pronoun *whom* is the object of the preposition *to*. |
| *Who* will meet the delegates at the train station? | The interrogative pronoun *who* is the subject of the compound verb *will meet*. |
| To *whom* did you give the paper? | The interrogative pronoun *whom* is the object of the preposition *to*. |
| *What* did she say? | The interrogative pronoun *what* is the direct object of the verb *say*. |

## Relative pronouns

A <a id="relativepronoun">relative pronoun</a> links one [phrase](building-phrases#bldphr) or [clause](building-clauses) to another phrase or clause. The words *who*, *whom*, *that* and *which* are relative pronouns, as are the compounds *whoever*, *whomever* and *whichever*.

The relative pronouns *who* and *whoever* refer to the subject of a clause or sentence, while *whom* and *whomever* refer to the objects of a verb, verbal or preposition.

In each of the following examples, the highlighted word is a relative pronoun.

| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| You may invite *whomever* you like to the party. | The relative pronoun *whomever* is the direct object of the compound verb *may invite*. |
| The candidate *who* wins the popular vote is not always elected. | The relative pronoun *who* is the subject of the verb *wins* and introduces the [subordinate clause](using-clauses-as-nouns-adjectives-and-adverbs) *who wins the popular vote*. This subordinate clause acts as an [adjective](what-is-an-adjective#adjective) modifying the noun *candidate*. |
| In a crisis, the manager asks the employees *whom* she believes to be the most efficient to arrive an hour early. | The relative pronoun *whom* is the direct object of the verb *believes* and introduces the subordinate clause *whom she believes to be the most efficient*. This subordinate clause modifies the noun *employees*. |
| *Whoever* broke the window will have to replace it. | The relative pronoun *whoever* functions as the subject of the verb *broke*. |
| The box, *which* was left in the corridor, has now been moved into the storage closet. | The relative pronoun *which* acts as the subject of the compound verb *was left* and introduces the subordinate clause *which was left in the corridor*. The subordinate clause acts as an adjective modifying the noun *box*. |

## Indefinite pronouns

An indefinite pronoun refers to an identifiable but not specified person or thing. It conveys the idea of all, any, none or some.

The most common indefinite pronouns are *all*, *another*, *any*, *anybody*, *anyone*, *anything*, *each*, *everybody*, *everyone*, *everything*, *few*, *many*, *nobody*, *none*, *one*, *several*, *some*, *somebody* and *someone*. Note that some indefinite pronouns can also act as [indefinite adjectives](what-is-an-adjective#indefiniteadjective).

The highlighted words in the following examples are indefinite pronouns.

| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| *All* were invited to the lunch but only 12 showed up. | The indefinite pronoun *all* acts as the subject of the compound verb *were invited*. |
| The office had been searched and *everything* was thrown onto the floor. | The indefinite pronoun *everything* acts as the subject of the compound verb *was thrown*. |
| We donated *everything* we found in the attic to the shelter’s garage sale. | The indefinite pronoun *everything* is the direct object of the verb *donated*. |
| Though they looked everywhere for extra copies of the magazine, they found *none*. | The indefinite pronoun *none* functions as a direct object of the verb *found*. |
| Make sure you give *everyone* a copy of the amended bylaws. | The indefinite pronoun *everyone* is the [indirect object](objects-and-complements#indirectobject) of the verb *give*. The direct object is the noun phrase *a copy of the amended bylaws*. |
| Give an information kit to *each*. | The indefinite pronoun *each* is the object of the preposition *to*. |

## Reflexive pronouns

A reflexive pronoun refers to the subject of the clause or sentence.

The reflexive pronouns are *myself*, *yourself*, *herself*, *himself*, *itself*, *ourselves*, *yourselves* and *themselves*. Note that each of these can also act as an intensive pronoun.

Each of the highlighted words in the following sentences is a reflexive pronoun:

- Diabetics give *themselves* insulin shots several times a day.
- After the party, I asked *myself* why I had faxed invitations to everyone in my office building.
- Richard usually sent a copy of his emails to *himself*.

## Intensive pronouns

An intensive pronoun emphasizes its [antecedent](pronoun-reference). These pronouns are identical in form to reflexive pronouns.

The highlighted words in the following sentences are intensive pronouns:

- I *myself* believe that aliens should abduct my sister.
- The premier *himself* said that he would lower taxes.
- They *themselves* promised to come to the party even though they had another engagement.

Intensive pronouns usually follow immediately after their antecedent (as in the examples above), but they can also be found elsewhere in the sentence.

- My manager often does the photocopying *herself* so that her staff can do more important work.
- Although the landlord promised to paint the apartment, we ended up doing it *ourselves*.

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