This is Lesson 11 of our Basic English Series

Parts of Speech 2.2

Pronouns Part 2 – Types or Groups of Pronouns

There are five (5) basic types or groups of pronouns. As we learn about these, we will also come across the different laws to keep in mind as we familiarize ourselves further in the English Language.

Let us begin on the overview.

  1. Personal pronouns can refer to the person speaking; the person being spoken to, or the person or thing spoken of. All the personal pronouns with the exception of the pronoun it, refer to persons.
  2. Interrogative pronouns are pronouns that introduce questions such as what, where, who, which, whom, and whose.
  3. Demonstrative pronouns point out specific persons, places, or things such as this, that, these and those.
  4. Indefinite pronouns do not point out particular persons, places, or things. Some examples are another, both, all, some, many, more and each.
  5. Relative pronouns connect groups of words to another idea in the same sentence. That, which, who, whom, and whose are relative pronouns. Some relative pronouns are also used as demonstrative pronouns depending on how they are used in a sentence. We will discuss these in details later.

Let us now take a closer look at the first group of pronouns as to how they are used in a sentence.


Personal Pronouns

As mentioned earlier, personal pronouns can refer to the person speaking; the person being  spoken to, or the person or thing spoken of. All the personal pronouns with the exception of the pronoun it, refer to persons.

Personal pronouns can be troublesome if you are not familiar with their proper use so we will help you understand how to use its various forms in this lesson. First let us take a look at the three persons of personal pronouns.

Persons of personal pronouns

1) The first person
The first person pronoun refers to the speaker, or the one speaking. This can be singular or plural.

2) The second person
The second person pronoun refers to the person spoken to, or the one the first person is speaking with or addressing what he is saying.

3) The third person
The third person pronoun refers to the person or things spoken of, or the subject of the discussion between two individuals.

Numbers of personal pronouns

If we recall our lessons on numbers of nouns, we also have numbers of pronouns that follow the same principle.

1) Singular pronouns
A pronoun is singular in number when it refers to one person, place or thing.

2) Plural pronouns
A pronoun is plural in number when it refers to more than one person, place or thing.

With the different persons and numbers of personal pronouns in mind, we will give you examples where these were used in sentences to help you understand and remember them to be able to use them efficiently in your speaking and writing.

Examples:

First person pronouns

I am going to England tomorrow.
(The pronoun is I in the first person, and singular in number.)
– English is my Language.
(The pronoun is my in the first person, and singular in number.)
– This passport is mine.
(The pronoun is mine in the first person, and singular in number.)
– This document belongs to me.
(The pronoun is me in the first person, and singular in number.)

We are going to England tomorrow.
(The pronoun is We in the first person, and plural in number)
– English is our Language.
(The pronoun is our in the first person, and plural in number)
– This documents are ours.
(The pronoun is mine in the first person, and plural in number)
– This document belongs to us.
(The pronoun is us in the first person, and plural in number)

Second person pronouns

You are going to England tomorrow.
(The pronoun is You in the second person, and singular in number. The pronoun you can be
used for both single or many persons or group of people.)
– English is you Language.
(The pronoun is you in the second person, and singular in number)
– This passport is yours.
(The pronoun is yours in the second person, and singular in number)
– This document belongs to you.
(The pronoun is you in the second person, and singular in number)

You are going to England tomorrow.
(The pronoun is You in the second person, and plural in number.)
– English is your Language.
(The pronoun is your in the second person, and plural in number.)
– This documents are yours.
(The pronoun is yours in the second person, and plural in number.)
– This document belongs to you.
(The pronoun is you in the second person, and plural in number.)

Note: There are no other second person pronouns in the English language.

Third person pronouns

In addition to the number of pronouns there is also the gender, and this applies to the third person of pronouns. These are the masculine, feminine and the neuter genders.

Examples of pronouns in the masculine gender

He is going to England tomorrow.
(The pronoun is he in the third person and singular in number.)
– English is his Language.
(The pronoun is his in the third person and singular in number)
– This passport is his.
(The pronoun is his in the third person and singular in number)
– This document belongs to him.
(The pronoun is him in the third person and singular in number)

Examples of pronouns in the feminine gender

She is going to England tomorrow.
(The pronoun is she in the third person and singular in number.)
– English is her Language.
(The pronoun is her in the third person and singular in number)
– This passport is hers.
(The pronoun is hers in the third person and singular in number)
– This document belongs to her.
(The pronoun is her in the third person and singular in number)

Examples of pronouns in the neuter gender

It will be sent to England tomorrow.
(The pronoun is it in the third person and singular in number.)
– England is its destination.
(The pronoun is its in the third person and singular in number)
– This is a part of it.
(The pronoun is it in the third person and singular in number)

Examples of pronouns in the third person, plural in number

They are going to England tomorrow.
(The pronoun is they in the third person and plural in number.)
– English is their Language.
(The pronoun is their in the third person and plural in number)
– This document is theirs.
(The pronoun is theirs in the third person and plural in number)
– This box belongs to them.
(The pronoun is them in the third person and plural in number)

What we have learned so far are the simple pronouns and their applications and uses. In the next lesson, we will cover one more aspect of personal pronouns along with a rule to keep in mind.

Let us move on to the next lesson.

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