Overview

A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun or a noun phrase.

Personal pronouns refer to people and things. There are two kinds of personal pronouns. A subject pronoun is used as the subject of a sentence. An object pronoun is used as the object of a verb or a preposition.

The noun or noun phrase that a pronoun refers to is called its antecedent. When you use a pronoun, make sure that it clearly refers to its antecedent. Also, make sure that the pronoun and its antecedent agree in gender and number.

A possessive pronoun shows who or what has something. Possessive pronouns have two forms. One form—words like my and our—is used before a noun. The other form—words like mine and ours—is used alone.

An indefinite pronoun does not refer to a particular person, place, thing, or idea. Reflexive and intensive pronouns are formed by adding -self or -selves to certain personal and possessive pronouns. A reflexive pronoun refers to a noun or another pronoun and indicates that the same person or thing is involved. An intensive pronoun adds emphasis to the noun or pronoun it refers to. An interrogative pronoun is used to begin a question. A demonstrative pronoun points out something.