English Pronouns - Explanation and Exercises

What is a pronoun?

A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun in a sentence. Instead of repeating a noun over and over, we use a pronoun to refer back to it: Maria is a teacher. She works at a local school. English has several different types of pronouns, each with a specific function.

Personal pronouns: subject and object forms

Possessive pronouns vs. possessive adjectives

Possessive adjectives come before a noun: This is my book. Possessive pronouns stand alone and replace the noun: This book is mine.

Reflexive pronouns

Reflexive pronouns end in -self (singular) or -selves (plural). They are used when the subject and object of the verb are the same person, or for emphasis.

She hurt herself. (subject = object)  |  I did it myself. (emphasis)

Forms: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves.

Relative pronouns

Relative pronouns introduce relative clauses. The most common are who (for people), which (for things), that (for people or things), and whose (to show possession).

The woman who called is my aunt. / The book that I read was excellent. / The house whose roof collapsed was old.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Subject vs. object pronoun: ✗ Between you and I… → ✓ Between you and me…
• Possessive adjective vs. contraction: ✗ The dog wagged it's tail. → ✓ The dog wagged its tail. (It's = it is; its = possessive)
• Reflexive pronoun overuse: ✗ My friend and myself went to the store. → ✓ My friend and I went to the store.
• Who vs. whom: Use who as a subject, whom as an object: ✓ Who called? / To whom did you speak?