Pronoun Definition
A Pronoun is a word that we use as a replacement for a noun in a sentence to avoid the repetition of a noun. Examples are he, she, it, they, you, we, etc. A pronoun is used when the noun is described in the previous sentence or when the noun doesn’t need to be mentioned as the listener knows what the speaker is referring to. The noun that is replaced by a pronoun is called an antecedent. In English Grammar, Pronoun is an essential part of speech and it is beneficial to learn the proper use of Pronoun while writing and speaking. Read the complete article, to learn more about pronoun & their types.
Pronoun Definition: A pronoun is a word that is used instead of a noun or noun phrase to reduce its repetition.
What is a Pronoun?
In simple words, pronouns allow us to shorten and reduces the usage of repetitive nouns in our sentences. With an example mentioned below, you may understand the usage of Pronoun.
Example:
“The students are studying hard for their board exams. The students have been covering the complete syllabus in a progress. The students shall finish their preparation much before the board exams.”
Instead of using The students repetitively, we can write this sentence as “The students are studying hard for their board exams. They have been covering the complete syllabus in a progress. They shall finish their preparation much before the board exams.” In this sentence, ‘they’ replace ‘the students’ where they is a pronoun and the students is a noun.
Pronoun Examples
A pronoun is the part of speech that is frequently used while we write, read, and speak. Understand the use of pronouns with some more examples discussed below-
1) Abhishek loves vanilla ice cream. He thinks it tastes better with hot chocolate and nuts.
Here ‘he’ and ‘it’ is used in the second sentence in place of Joey and ice cream
2) They will be visiting today in the evening.
Here ‘they’ is used in order to describe a few people instead of taking their names individually.
3) Someone paid Rs. 500 for this beautiful sweater.
Here ‘someone’ describes a person instead of pronouncing his/her name.
Some more examples are as follows:
- Nobody knows the truth about his murder.
- Unlike others, she rose to fame quickly.
- He injured himself in an accident.
- The woman who left gave a note to me.
Pronoun Meaning in Hindi
A Pronoun is a part of speech that is been taught in both English & Hindi subject. सवर्नाम is the Hindi translation of Pronoun. The definition or meaning of Pronoun (सवर्नाम) is explained as- वाक्य में संज्ञा की पुनरुक्ति को दूर करने के लिए संज्ञा के स्थान पर प्रयोग होने वाले शब्द सर्वनाम कहलाते हैं।
Pronoun List and words
In English Grammar, a pronoun is a part of speech that function similarly to a noun. Pronouns can be used both as subjects and objects, singular or plural. Pronouns can be used in place of nouns describing people, places, and things. Some of the frequently used Pronoun words on daily basis have been listed below.
- I
- Me
- You
- He
- She
- Him
- Her
- It
- We
- They
- Us
- Them
- Who
- What
- This
- That
- Anyone
- Nobody
- Something
- Someone
- Whoever
Types of Pronoun
There are 6 types of pronouns in English grammar. Pronouns can be categorized into the following types:
| Different Types of Pronouns | |
| Types of Pronouns | Description |
| Personal pronoun | Personal pronouns are words like “I,” “you,” “he,” “she,” “it,” “we,” and “they” that replace people’s names in sentences to make speaking and writing easier and clearer. |
| Possessive pronoun | Possessive pronouns, like “mine,” “your,” “his,” “hers,” “its,” “ours,” and “theirs,” show who owns something. They replace nouns to avoid repeating names and make sentences shorter. |
| Demonstrative Pronoun | Demonstrative pronouns, like “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those,” point to specific things. They help show which items or people we are talking about in a sentence. |
| Relative pronoun | Relative pronouns, like “who,” “whom,” “whose,” “which,” and “that,” connect clauses in a sentence. They help add more information about a noun mentioned earlier in the sentence. |
| Reflexive pronoun | Reflexive pronouns, like “myself,” “yourself,” “himself,” “herself,” “itself,” “ourselves,” “yourselves,” and “themselves,” refer back to the subject of the sentence. They show that the action affects the doer. |
| Indefinite pronoun | Indefinite pronouns, like “someone,” “anything,” “everyone,” and “nobody,” refer to non-specific people or things. They help us talk about general items or groups without naming them specifically. |
Personal Pronoun
A Personal Pronoun is used while referring to a person or group of people. It can be divided on the basis of the person who is being referred to as the subject.
i) First-person- It is used while referring to the speaker or writer of the sentence. Eg: I, me, we and us
1. I am feeling positive today.
2. We shall visit the park sometime.
ii)Second person –It is used while referring to the listener or receiver of the sentence.
1. You can bring some cake if you like.
2. You are setting a benchmark.
iii)Third person –Used while referring to someone besides the speaker and listener. Eg: he, she, it, they
1. She/he is doing well in her/his career.
2. They are going to Shimla tomorrow.
Possessive Pronoun
A Possessive Pronoun is used to show possession or belongingness to someone. Eg: mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, and theirs
1. He left his keys on the table.
2. The money was theirs to spend.
Demonstrative Pronoun
Demonstrative Pronoun-It used to establish distinction from the rest. Eg: this, that, these and those
1. This is the dress I want.
2. These apples are ripe.
Relative Pronoun
A Relative Pronoun is used to connect dependent clauses to independent clauses. Eg: that, which, who, whom, what, and whose.
1. Whose pen is this?
2. She donated her bag which was unused.
Reflexive Pronoun
A Reflexive Pronoun is used when the object is the same as the subject of the verb. Eg: myself, yourself, itself, himself, herself, and ourselves
1. They brought this on themselves.
2. Take good care of yourself and those around you.
Indefinite Pronoun
Indefinite Pronoun-It is used when something is not specific or unidentified. Eg: everybody, either, none and something
1. Everyone is in need of immunity these days.
2. I find none of the designs appealing enough.
