ESL Intermediate Grammar: Pronouns
Definition and Function of Pronouns
Pronouns are defined as words that take the place of nouns and all of their modifiers.
Pronouns serve multiple grammatical functions, including:
Subjects
Direct and indirect objects
Interrogatives
Impersonals
Objects of prepositions
Reflexives
Demonstratives
Possessives
Relatives
The Pronoun Classification Chart
Subject Pronouns: These perform the action of the verb, with the exception of linking verbs.
I, you, he, she, it, we, you, they.
Direct Object Pronouns: These are the first receivers of the action and can be a person, animal, or thing.
me, you, him, her, it, us, you, them.
Indirect Object Pronouns: These are the second receivers of the action, usually a person or animal.
me, you, him, her, it, us, you, them.
Object of Preposition: Used for persons and animals following a preposition.
me, you, him, her, it, us, you, them.
Reflexive Pronouns: These refer to people, animals, or objects that perform and receive the same action.
myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, oneself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves.
Demonstrative Pronouns: These refer to location.
Here: this, these.
There: that, those.
Relative Pronouns: These refer back to the noun that immediately precedes them.
who, whom, whoever, whomever, that.
Possessive Pronouns: These show ownership and are followed by nouns.
mine, yours, his, hers, ours, yours, theirs.
Interrogative Pronouns: These are used to refer to questions.
who, whom, what, which.
Impersonal Pronouns: These do not refer to a specific person or object.
it, there, others, another, anyone, anybody, anything, someone, somebody, something, no one, nobody, nothing.
Rules for Using Subject Pronouns
Subject pronouns include: I, he, it, they, who, which, you, she, we, and what.
As the subject of the verb: Used when the pronoun is the one performing the action.
Example: He writes music.
After "than" or "as" in comparisons: Used when comparing two entities.
Example: She sings well.
Example: He paints better than she.
Example: I am as tall as he.
Note: To verify the form, repeat the verb mentally or explicitly: "He paints better than she (paints)" or "I am as tall as he (is)."
After a form of the verb "be": Used following linking verbs such as am, is, are, was, or were.
Example: It is I.
Example: The winner was she.
Rules for Using Object Pronouns
Object pronouns serve as receivers of an action and include: me, you, us, you, him, her, it, and them.
Direct Object: Receives the action of the verb directly.
Example: Khan saw her last night in class.
Indirect Object: Receives the action secondarily.
Example: Give the money to them immediately.
Example: Give them the money immediately.
Object of a Preposition: Follows a prepositional word.
Example: Sam bought for us dinner because we were working so late.
Handling Compound Forms in Prepositional Phrases
When a sentence contains a compound form (two or more nouns/pronouns) within a prepositional phrase, a "cover-up" technique can be used to determine the correct pronoun case.
Method: Cover up the other noun and the word "and," then evaluate the remaining sentence to decide if a subject or object pronoun is required.
Example 1: "Give the books to Jane and (she/her)."
Cover "Jane and": "Give the books to [her]."
Conclusion: "Her" is the correct object form for the preposition "to."
Full sentence: "Give Jane and her the books."
Example 2: "Pat and (I/me) saw the movie last night."
Cover "Pat and": "[I] saw the movie."
Conclusion: "I" is the correct subject form performing the action "saw."
Full sentence: "Pat and I saw the movie last night."
Practical Application and Exercises
Case 1: Compound Subjects
She and Paul are planning on attending the concert. (Subjective case: She).
Him and I went to see a horror movie last night. (Correction check: He and I).
Case 2: Objects after Verbs or Prepositions
Our teacher gave the extra credit to Melanie and me. (Object of preposition: me).
No one saw him and her together at the game. (Direct objects: him, her).
How many tickets did you buy for us? (Object of preposition: us).
Find the boss's file and hand it to him. (Object of preposition: him).
The boys challenged us girls to a test of strength. (Direct object: us).
When will the director present the award to her? (Object of preposition: her).
Will you please help him unload the packages? (Direct object: him).
How many books will he deliver to her? (Object of preposition: her).
Cal loves Myriam, and he dreamed about her all night long. (Object of preposition: her).
Sam took me to the conference in his new car. (Direct object: me).
Sue's husband is going with her to Toronto. (Object of preposition: her).
Case 3: Comparisons
Can he play tennis as well as they? (Subjective case expected after "as").
John's father earns more than he. (Subjective case expected after "than").
Case 4: Relative and Interrogative Pronouns
Who is Dave inviting to the dance?
The boy who is wearing the green shirt is my cousin.
Case 5: Additional Contexts
We girls insist on being admitted to the club. (Subjective case: We).
He travels to San Diego every spring.
We won, of course.
I hope that she accepts that new job in Orlando.
Someone told us that a new store would be opening here soon.
They are concerned about us because we haven't called.
My sister gave them the stamps for their collection.
Wes and I are taking a cruise to the Bahamas.
You and he are welcome to join us at the club.
The director gave Jill and me the scholarships.
Laura and her brother are taking a trip with us next summer.
Everybody wants them to win the championship.
Once Kathy receives the check, she will pay the bills.
Rafael and I were selected as delegates to the convention.
I am accepting the position, and this disturbs my parents.