The Pronoun (The Substitute)

Conceptual Definition

A Pronoun is a word used as a substitute for a noun or a noun phrase. Its primary function is to maintain the flow of communication by preventing the repetitive use of the same noun (the antecedent).

For a sentence to be grammatically sound, a pronoun must agree with its antecedent in person (1st, 2nd, or 3rd), number (singular or plural), and gender (masculine, feminine, or neuter).

Classification of Pronouns

To master pronouns, one must understand their specific roles within a sentence structure.

Personal Pronouns

These represent specific people or things and change based on their role in the sentence (Subject vs. Object).

Subjective Case: I, You, He, She, It, We, They. (Used as the doer of the action).

Objective Case: Me, You, Him, Her, It, Us, Them. (Used as the receiver of the action).

Possessive Pronouns

These indicate ownership. Note that unlike possessive adjectives (my, your), possessive pronouns stand alone.

Examples: Mine, Yours, His, Hers, Ours, Theirs.

Example: “This book is mine.” (Not “This is mine book”).

Reflexive and Emphatic Pronouns

Words ending in -self or -selves.

Reflexive: When the subject and object are the same person. (She hurt herself.)

Emphatic: Used to put emphasis on the noun. (I myself saw him do it.)

Relative Pronouns

Used to connect a clause or phrase to a noun or pronoun.

Examples: Who, Whom, Whose, Which, That.

Rule: Use Who for subjects and Whom for objects.

Demonstrative Pronouns

Point specifically to the objects they refer to.

Near: This (Singular), These (Plural).
Far: That (Singular), Those (Plural).

Indefinite Pronouns

Refer to people or things in a general way without being specific.

Examples: Someone, anybody, everyone, nobody, each, either, neither, none.

Advanced Grammar Rules for Pronouns

In English, the “Number” of a noun indicates its quantity. While the general rule is to add -s, professional grammar requires knowledge of complex variations:

The Order of Persons

When multiple personal pronouns are used together, the general rule of etiquette is 2-3-1 for good news (2nd person, 3rd person, then 1st person).

Correct: “You, he, and I are invited.”

Note: For confessions or mistakes, the order is 1-2-3. (I, you, and he are responsible.)

Either / Neither:

These are always treated as singular and must take singular verbs and singular pronouns.

Correct: “Neither of the boys has brought his book.” (Not “their” book).

The Case After "Than"

When comparing, the pronoun should be in the subjective case if a verb is implied.

Correct: “He is taller than I (am).” (Commonly spoken as “me,” but “I” is formally correct).

Who vs. Whom

Use Who if you can replace it with He/They.

Use Whom if you can replace it with Him/Them.