(TBASF) Lesson Topic 2: Pronouns

Pronouns take the place of nouns. They must agree in number, agree in person, and clearly refer to a specific noun. Having to use the same nouns over and over again would make communicating ideas very time-consuming and tiresome. By using pronouns we are able to avoid frequent repetition of a name. Compare these statements.

• First, the proper noun John is used throughout.

John is in the Army and John looks good in John's uniform as John strides along.

• Second, the proper noun is used initially and followed by pronouns.

John is in the Army and he looks good in his uniform as he strides along.

The following classic 1977 "Schoolhouse Rock" video "Rufus Xavier Sarsaparilla" humorously illustrates the usefulness of pronouns. 

Different types of pronouns include personal pronouns (subjective and objective), relative pronouns, possessive pronouns, demonstrative pronouns, interrogative pronouns, indefinite pronouns, reflexive pronouns, and several other types. Because a pronoun refers back to a noun or takes the place of that noun, we have to use the correct pronoun so that the reader clearly understands which noun our pronoun is referring to. We will examine a few of the types of pronouns here.

Personal Pronouns

Personal pronouns stand-in or substitute for nouns, but they must agree in person and in number.

Possessive Pronouns

Possessive pronouns denote possession, as in the following example:

• The dress was mine, and now it is hers.

Possessive pronouns follow the same pattern as personal pronouns.

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