Pronouns

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Unit 3

• Pronouns

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What is a Pronoun?

• A word that takes the place of one or more nouns
  and the words that describe those nouns.

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Personal Pronouns

• Used to refer to people or things.
• Singular or plural
• Two Kinds
• Used as the subject of the sentence
• OR
• Used as the object of the verb or preposition

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Personal Pronouns continued
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Subject Pronouns

• Used as the subject of the sentence
• Examples
• Rita likes books. She particularly likes novels.
• The dog ran down the street. It was so fast no
  one could keep up.
• Mom and Dad left this morning for vacation. They
  went to Jamaica.

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Object Pronouns

• Used as the object of the verb or preposition
• Examples
• The novel amuses Rita. The novel amuses her.
• The boy knocked the chair over. The boy knocked
  it over.
• The officer showed handcuffs to the class.
• The officer showed handcuffs to them.

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Personal Pronoun Practice

• Is the underlined pronoun a subject or object
  pronoun?

Jimmy writes poems they are about everyday life.

Subject
Notice how they takes the place of poems,
which is the subject of the sentence. Therefore,
they is a subject pronoun.
Try a few more
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Personal Pronoun Practice

• Is the underlined word a subject or object
  pronoun?
• She was born in Topeka, Kansas, but grew up in
  Chicago.

Subject

• The poet Langston Hughes gave them literary
  advice.

Object

• The combination of street talk and American verse
  will amaze you.

Object
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They were the scariest Halloween costumes I have
ever seen.
Is the underlined word a subject or object
pronoun?
Subject
In 2001, she won an award for her role in the
school play. I ever saw.
Subject
I saw the Mrs. Landon hand the sealed letter to
you.
Object
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Pronouns and Antecedents

• Antecedent the noun or groups of words that a
  pronoun refers to
• Example
• Louisa May Alcott lived near Boston. She
• had many famous neighbors.

Antecedent
Pronoun
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Pronouns and Antecedents Practice
Name the antecedent the underlined pronoun refers
to.

• Alcott came from a poor family. She wanted to
  help earn money.

Alcott

• The job was not enough. It did not pay well.

job

• Two more books by Alcott appeared quickly. They
  described her hospital work and her teaching days.

books
Try a few more
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At the theatre we saw the movie, The Blind Side.
It was interesting to me because I love
football.
Name the antecedent the underlined pronoun refers
to.
movie or The Blind Side
My dad and brother taught me everything I know
about hunting. They have been bringing me into
the woods since I was eight years old.
dad, brother
I love helping Grandma make chocolate chip
cookies. Her baking is absolutely delicious!
Grandma
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Name the antecedent the underlined pronoun refers
to.
The pitcher threw the runner out at third base.
It was an exciting attempt at a steal, but he
didnt make it to the bag in time.
runner
The My Sisters Keeper by Jodi Picoult is my
favorite book. I could read it over and over
again.
My Sisters Keeper
My class sent me balloons when I was in the
hospital. They signed a card, wishing me a
speedy recovery.
class
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Name the antecedent the underlined pronoun refers
to.
I love listening to Elton John. The way he plays
the piano makes me want to run out and take
lessons.
Elton John
In math we are learning long division. It seems
to be a piece of cake!
long division
The 8th graders took a trip to the Milwaukee
Public Museum. They had a lot of fun learning
the Titanic.
8th graders
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Using Pronouns Correctly

• Subject pronouns are used in compound subjects
  and object pronouns are used in compound objects.
  
• Tina and Sam recently read Hamlet.
• She and he recently read Hamlet.
• (She and he form the compound subject)
• Hamlet appealed to Sam and Tina.
• Hamlet appealed to him and her.
• (him and her form the compound object)

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Using Pronouns Correctly continued

• When the subject pronoun I or the object pronoun
  me is part of the compound subject or object, I
  or me should come last.
• Tina and I liked the book. (not I and Tina)
• Sometimes a pronoun and noun are used together
  for emphasis. The form of the pronoun depends on
  its function in the sentence.
• We students read the book. (We is the subject)
• The book delighted us. (Us is the direct object)

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Using Pronouns Correctly continued

• Sometimes sentences make incomplete comparisons.
  The form of the pronoun can affect the meaning of
  such sentences. In any incomplete comparison,
  use the pronoun that would be correct if the
  comparison were complete.
• Jane liked Peter more than she (did).
• Explanation - Jane and Claire liked Peter, but
  Jane liked him more than Claire did.
• Jane liked Peter more than (she liked) her.
• Explanation - Jane liked Peter and Claire but
  Jane liked Peter more than she liked
  Claire.

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Using Pronouns Correctly continued

• In formal writing, use a subject pronoun after a
  linking verb.
• Janes closest friend is he.

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Choose the correct pronoun in parentheses to
complete the sentence and tell if it is subject
or object.
The coach trained (we, us) basketball players.
us -object
The Jack and (me, I) went to the dance last
Friday.
I -subject
(She, Her) father lives in Lake Placid, New York.
Her -possessive
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Choose the correct pronoun in parentheses to
complete the sentence and tell if it is subject
or object.
My favorite soccer player is (he, him)
he - subject
Between John and (she, her), they would help take
care of the cows.
her - object
(Terry and I, Terry and me) guessed the surprise
behind door number one.
Terry and I - subject
We sang happy birthday to Mom and (he, him).
him - object
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Possessive Pronouns

• Shows who or what has something.
• A possessive pronoun may take the place of a
  possessive noun.
• Examples
• Lisas class put on a play.
• Her class put on a play. Notice how Lisa owns
  the class.
• The idea was Lisas.
• The idea was hers. Notice how the idea belongs
  to Lisa.

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Possessive Pronouns continued
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Possessive Pronouns Practice

• Write the correct possessive pronoun for each
  underlined word or group of words.
• 1. The plays setting is the city of Verona.
• Its
• 2. When Romeo and Juliet meet, Romeo hears
  Juliets confession of love for him.
• they
• 3. Romeos sentence is banishment.
• His

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Write the correct possessive pronoun for each
underlined word or group of words.
The storys setting is Dublin, Ireland.
Its
This project is a favorite of our classs.
ours
Nancy and Tanya were happy about Nancy and
Tanyas science grades.
their
Mrs. Thompsons earring was lost in Mrs.
Thompson's car.
her
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Write the correct possessive pronoun for each
underlined word or group of words.
Thinking everyone had gone home, Mr. Gray turned
off Mr. Grays lights.
his
Ms. Delie received an email that said, Ms.
Delies report cards are ready in the office.
your
The grade on the math project was Kristin and
Marks alone.
theirs
Im excited because this will be my familys
first vacation in four years.
our
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Demonstrative Pronouns

• Pronouns that point something out
• This is an interesting book. (singular, nearby)
• These are interesting books. (plural, nearby)
• That is a long book. (singular, at a distance)
• Those are long books. (plural, at a distance)

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Demonstrative Pronouns Practice

• Choose the correct word from the parentheses.
• 1. (This, Those) are her bridal robes.
• Those
• 2. (This, These) is the mansion of Miss
  Havisham.
• This
• 3. (That, These) is a mystery.
• That

Try a few more
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Choose the correct word from the parentheses.
1. (This, These) papers need to be tossed in the
recycle bin.
These
2. (That, Those) car has been parked in front
of our house for hours.
That
3. (This, Those) is my favorite pair of running
shoes.
This
4. (These, Those) jets in the sky are doing
figure eights.
Those
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Choose the correct word from the parentheses.
5. (This, These) dots on my arms are from having
the chicken pox.
These
6. (This, That) cat is so gentle I can hear him
purring in my ear.
This
7. (This, Those) Legos were left all over the
carpet last night.
Those
8. (This, These) report card is the best one all
year!
This
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Interrogative Pronouns

• Pronouns used to introduce a question
• Who
• Whom
• Whose
• What
• Which

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Interrogative Pronouns continued

• Who and Whom both refer to people.
• Who is used when the interrogative pronoun is the
  subject
• Who borrowed the book?
• Whom is used when the interrogative pronoun is
  the object of the verb or preposition.
• Whom did the librarian call?
• For whom did you borrow the book?

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Interrogative Pronouns continued

• Which and what are used to refer to things and
  ideas.
• Which is it?
• What interests you?
• Whose shows that someone owns or has something.
• I found a copy of Great Expectations. Whose is
  it?
• Do NOT confuse whose with whos.
• Whos is a contraction (who is whos)

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Interrogative Pronouns Practice

• Choose the correct word from the parentheses.
• 1. (Whose, Whos) Joe?
• Whos
• 2. (Who, Whom) did Miss Havisham see?
• Whom
• 3. (This, What) are Pips great expectations?
• What

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Choose the correct word from the parentheses.
4. From (Who, Whom) did you get that bouquet of
roses?
Whom
5. (Who, Whom) showed you the way to the secret
fort?
Who
6. (What, Which) did Mom go to pick up at the
grocery store?
What
7. (Who, Whom) did Joe score three points on?
Who
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Choose the correct word from the parentheses.
8. With (whom, which) did you travel?
Whom
9. (Whose, Whos) dirty laundry is laying on the
floor?
Whose
10. (Whose, Whos) coming along to see New Moon?
Whos
11. (What, Which) of the candies do your prefer?
Which
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Indefinite Pronouns

• Pronouns that do not refer to a specific person,
  place or thing.
• Each thinks about the plot.

• Much
• Neither
• Nobody
• No one
• Nothing
• One
• Somebody
• Someone
• Something

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Indefinite Pronouns continued

• When an indefinite pronoun is used as the
  subject, the verb must agree with it in number.
• Everyone reads a part of the novel. (singular)
• Several enjoy it very much. (plural)
• Most of the story takes place in England.
  (singular)
• Most of the characteristics are memorable.
  (plural)

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Indefinite Pronouns continued

• Possessive pronouns often have indefinite
  pronouns as their antecedents. In such cases,
  the pronouns must agree in number.
• Several are presenting their interpretations of
  the novel.
• Each of the students has his or her ideas about
  its meaning.

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Indefinite Pronouns Practice

• Choose the correct word from the parentheses.
• 1. (Neither, All) of Frosts poems are enjoyed
  by their readers.
• All
• 2. (One, Many) of the poems have New England as
  their setting.
• Many
• 3. (Each, Several) of the readers of Frost's
  poems has his or her favorite.
• Each

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Choose the correct word from the parentheses.
8. (Neither, All) of the Harry Potter books are
full of adventure.
All
9. (Each, Several) of the golfers has his or her
favorite course.
Each
10. (Both, One) of the students shared her own
memory of 9/11.
One
11. (Most, Everyone) have their own feelings
about homework.
Most
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Pick out the indefinite pronoun in each sentence
below.
4. Anyone can learn to ride a bike if they so
choose.
Anyone
5. There were several waiting outside the door.
several
6. Somebody forgot to shut the freezer this
morning.
Somebody
7. To each his own.
each
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Identify the indefinite pronoun and choose the
correct word from the parentheses.
4. Everyone practices (his or her, their) part
in the play.
Everyone, his or her
5. Most of the students (is, are) ready for
opening night.
Most, are
6. Nothing (makes, make) you feel at home like a
slice of Moms apple pie.
Nothing, makes
7. All of the choir students (praise, praises)
the director.
All, praise
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Identify the indefinite pronoun and choose the
correct word from the parentheses.
8. Several (offer, offers) Jake a ride back to
his car.
Several, offer
9. Much (have, has) been written about Amelia
Earhart.
Much, has
10. Nothing exciting ever (happen, happens) in
our town.
Nothing, happens
11. Most of the story (take, takes) place in a
hot air balloon.
Most, takes
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Reflexive Pronouns

• Refers to a noun or another pronoun and indicates
  that the same person or thing is involved.
• Formed by adding self or selves to certain
  personal and possessive pronouns.

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Reflexive Pronouns continued

• Do not use words like hisself or theirselves
• The woman bought herself a book by Horatio Alger.

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Reflexive Pronouns Practice

• Choose the correct word from the parentheses.
• 1. I found (me, myself) inspired by the
  characters adventures.
• myself
• 2. The characters improve (them, themselves)
  through work and a bit of luck.
• themselves
• 3. We enjoyed (us, ourselves) during a visit to
  his home.
• ourselves

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Intensive Pronouns

• Intensive pronouns that add emphasis to a noun or
  pronoun already named.
• Horatio Alger himself wrote more than one hundred
  books.
• I myself have never read his books.
• Reflexive and intensive pronouns should never
  be used as the subject of the sentence.

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Intensive Pronouns Practice

• Choose the correct word from the parentheses.
• 1. I (me, myself) wrote a review of a book by
  Horatio Alger.
• myself
• 2. Read a story (yours, yourself) about how to
  make a fortune.
• yourself
• 3. Algers birthplace (it, itself) attracts
  visitors.
• itself

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Reflexive and Intensive Pronoun Practice
Choose the reflexive or intensive pronoun from
the sentence below and label it accordingly.
1. You should train yourselves to be more
independent.
yourselves - Reflexive
2. I myself would not be caught wearing a green
bow tie.
myself - Intensive
3. The pie itself, one first prize at the fair.
itself, Intensive
4. Martin Luther King Jr. did not think himself
a hero.
himself, Reflexive
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Choose the correct pronoun in parentheses and
label it reflexive or intensive.
5. I found (me, myself) eager to get to the head
of the line.
myself, reflexive
6. Read the newspaper (yours, yourself) to check
the weather.
yourself, intensive
7. The athletes improve (them, themselves)
through many hours of training.
themselves, reflexive
8. For the dancer, discipline (it, itself)
brings about motivation.
myself, intensive
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Two Types of Clauses

• Main/Independent Clause the part of the
  sentence that can stand alone as its own
  sentence.
• Subordinate Clause the part of the sentence
  that cannot stand alone as its own sentence.
• Example
• Divers often wear wet suits, which are examples
  of basic diving equipment.

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Adjective Clauses

• An adjective clause is a subordinate clause that
  modifies or describes a noun or pronoun in the
  main clause of a complex sentence.
• Examples
• The Aqua-Lung, which divers strap on, holds
  oxygen.
• The divers breathe through a tube that attaches
  to the tank.
• An adjective clause begins with a relative
  pronoun (the underline word in the sentences
  above.)

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Relative Pronouns

• Pronouns that signal a subordinate clause, which
  cannot stand alone.

Divers search for reefs where much sea life
exists. Divers sometimes wear weights that they
strap on. Take note the relative pronouns
are located in the half of the sentence that
cannot stand alone (the subordinate clause.)

• Whose
• That
• Which
• Who
• Whoever
• What
• Whom

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Relative Pronouns Practice

• Can you find the relative pronoun in each
  sentence?
• 1. The equipment that da Vinci designed was a
  leather diving helmet.
• 2. One bell, which was made of wood, looked
  like an upside-down bucket.
• 3. Auguste Piccard designed the bathyscaphe,
  which is a diving vehicle.

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Locate the adjective clause and identify the
relative pronoun in each sentence.
4. Poles, which are used for balance and
control, help skiers ski safely.
which are used for balance and control
5. Thomas Jefferson, who is famous president,
wrote the Declaration of Independence.
who is famous president
6. At the end of a rope was an anchor that kept
the boat in place.
that kept the boat in place
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Locate the adjective clause and identify the
relative pronoun in each sentence.
7. George Washington, who was our first
president, was also a fierce leader in
Revolutionary War.
who was our first president
8. The distance from here to the door is one
yard, which is equal to three feet.
which is equal to three feet
9. Scientists sometime wear goggles that they
strap on.
that they strap on
10. Rosa Parks, who was a civil rights activist,
refused to give up her seat on a city bus.
who was a civil rights activist