Pronouns

Pronouns will change depending on their usage either as a subject or an object.

Singular/plural

• Depending on whether the subject is singular or plural, the pronoun will change. (HE, vs they)

Subject/Object 

•      You must see if the pronoun is referring to the subject or object of the sentence. If it is the subject, then it is the noun that is doing the action. If it is the object, it is the noun receiving the action. (he vs him)

Gender

• Is the noun you’re referring to male or female (he/she)

Relative pronouns perform the function of conjunctions by joining or connecting one part of a sentence to another.

Who, whom, whose - Refer to People

That, Which, What - Refer to animals or inanimate objects

Relative pronouns usually replace nouns or pronouns

This is my sister. She is visiting today. This is my sister who is visiting today

I like the boy. I like his honesty. What I like about the boy is his honesty.

Relative pronouns are placed close to the nouns to which they refer.

I have a ring in my jewellery box that sparkles (incorrect) – what sparkles – the ring or the box?

I have a ring that sparkles in my jewellery box (correct)

When using the relative pronoun which, a preposition very often precedes it. This is done to avoid ending a sentence on a preposition.

This is the house I was born in (incorrect)

This is the house in which I was born (correct)

Possessive pronouns indicate belonging/ownership.

They can be confused with possessive adjectives, so look out!

This is hers, not yours.

This house was mine, but now it is ours.

Jenny thought it was her phone, but it was his.