What are pronouns and their types?
What Is a Pronoun?
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a nun, often to avoid the need to repeat the same noun over and over. Like nouns, pronouns can refer to people, things, concepts, and places. Most sentences contain at least one noun or pronoun.
Some examples:
I asked her if the headphones were hers, but she said they belonged to someone else.
It might rain tomorrow, but there isn’t much we can do about that.
These are the days that I like best.
Which of them do you prefer? Help yourself to whichever you like.
How are pronouns used in sentences?
The main function of pronouns is to replace nouns. Because of this, they are used in sentences in similar ways to nouns.
Nouns, pronouns commonly serve as the subject of a sentence, followed by a Verb (a word expressing an action).
Some examples:
I like to play chess.
We have never been to Germany before.
It is difficult to stay calm in stressful situations.
A pronoun can also function as the object in a sentence—either a direct or indirect object:
The direct object is something or someone that is directly acted upon by the verb.
The indirect object is someone or something that receives the direct object.
Examples: Pronouns as direct and indirect objects
Give me that!
Can you promise her this?
Personal pronouns
Personal pronouns can change their form based on:
Person (first-, second-, or third-person)
Number (singular or plural)
Gender (masculine, feminine or neuter.)
Case (subject, object, possessive, or reflexive)
Demonstrative pronouns
The four demonstrative pronouns (this, that, these, and those) are used to indicate something previously mentioned or, in conversation, something that is clear from the context.
The “near” demonstrative this (singular) or these (plural) indicates something close to you.
The “far” demonstrative that (singular) or those (plural) indicates something farther from you.
