Mastering Pronouns: A Guide to Proper Usage

Pronouns(compilation material) ristanti@stikom.edu

Personal pronoun A pronoun is a word that takes the place of one or more nouns. The most frequently used pronouns are called personal pronouns. They refer to people or things.

Subject Pronoun A subject pronoun is used as the subject of a sentence. She is my best friend. It is my dog. Does he know the answer? You and I will meet later.

Object Pronoun An object pronoun is used as the direct/indirect object or the object of a preposition. Give the book to me. The teacher gave her a reprimand. I will tell you a story. Susan read it to them.

Using Pronoun Correctly Subject pronouns are used in compound subjects Object pronouns are used in compound objects. He and Carmen wrote a report on the subject. (Not Him and Carmen) Tell John and me about Hercules.(Not John and I)

Using Pronoun Correctly A pronoun takes an object, just as many verbs do. The object of a pronoun can be simple or compound. In either case, use an object pronoun as the object of the preposition. Lee read a famous myth to me. Lee read a famous Roman myth to John and me.

Using pronoun Correctly Lee and I read some ancient Roman myths. (Not I and Lee) Mythology interests Lee and me. (Not me and Lee).

Possessive pronoun A possessive pronoun is a pronoun that shows who or what has something. A possessive pronoun may take the place of a possessive noun.

Possessive pronoun Homer’s story is famous. His story is famous. This story is Homer’s. This story is his. Possessive nouns are in green. Possessive pronouns are in red.

Indefinite Pronoun An indefinite pronoun is a pronoun that does not refer to a particular person, place, or thing. Does anyone know the story of Midas? Most indefinite pronouns are either singular or plural.

Some indefinite pronoun • When an indefinite pronoun is used as the subject, the verb must agree with it in number. • Everyone discusses the plot. (singular) • Both talk about King Minos. (plural) • All of mythology is about beliefs and ideals. (singular) • All of the myths are about beliefs and ideals. (plural)

Reflexive Pronoun • A reflexive pronoun refers to a noun or another pronoun and indicates that the same person or thing is involved. Reflexive pronouns are formed by adding –self or –selves to certain personal and possessive pronouns • The woman found herself a book of folktales.

Intensive Pronoun • An intensive pronoun is a pronoun that adds emphasis to a noun or pronoun already named. • Georgehimselfbought a copy of American Tall Tales. • He himself paid for the book.

demonstrative It points to and identifies noun/pronoun Forms:  this (sing, nearby)  that (sing, farther away)  these (plural, nearby)  those (plural, farther away)

Relative • Relative pronouns introduce one type of subordinate clause called a relative clause (which "relates" to the primary clause). These pronouns have various forms which depend on their role within the clause or according to their case. • FORMS: subject (who, which, that), object (whom, which, that), possessivepersonal (who whom whose) non-personal (which whose that) • Examples: I went to see the singer who was in town. I read the book which the professor recommended to me.

Exercise:Each of the sentences contain personal pronoun. Circle the pronoun. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I) • Her and Bob came over to visit me. • He opened the refrigerator and took some food from it • She lent it to you and I • My desk is located near hers • Theirs suggestion was unrealistic • I like his ideas and hers • If my friend calls, please tell them that I will return the call. • The girls ran too fast, and she fell down • In the autumn, the tree lost its leaves. • The travelers lost their ways in the storm • The boy got the box and he opened it carefully • The woman left their earrings at home, so she wasn’t wearing them

Facts of pronoun errors in TOEFL • Errors in pronoun agreement (pronoun referent)  a pronoun must agree with personal pronoun to which it refers • Errors in pronoun form and type the misplaced function of personal pronoun • Incorrect inclusion of pronoun  unnecessary use of pronoun  redundancy Please do the following exercise !!! 

Errors in pronoun agreement  • Jackrabbits have powerful rear legs that enable it to leap A B C long distances. D • The best way for children to learn science is for them A B to perform experiments himself C D • Trademarks enable a company to distinguish its A B products form these of another company. C D

Errors in pronoun form and type  • Heman Melville gathered material for him novels, A B including Moby Dick, during his year at sea C D • As larvae, barnacle are free-swimming, but as adults A B they attach them to stones, docks, and hulls of ship C D • A barometer is a device it is used to measure A B C atmospheric pressure. D

Incorrect inclusion of pronoun  • Black Island in Long Island Sound it issurrounded by A B C cold, dangerous waters. D • Dutch elm disease which it iscaused by a fungus A B can destroy a tree within four weeks C D • Certain types of turtles that may live as long as 100 A B C years. D

Mastering Pronouns: A Guide to Proper Usage