Pronouns - SS2 English Lesson Note

Types of pronouns

There are many different types of pronouns, but the most common are:

• Personal pronouns: These pronouns refer to people or things. The most common personal pronouns are I, you, he, she, it, we, and they.
• Demonstrative pronouns: These pronouns point to something specific. The most common demonstrative pronouns are this, that, these, and those.
• Relative pronouns: These pronouns introduce relative clauses, which are clauses that provide more information about a noun or pronoun. The most common relative pronouns are who, whom, whose, which, and that.
• Interrogative pronouns: These pronouns are used to ask questions. The most common interrogative pronouns are who, whom, what, which, whose, and where.
• Possessive pronouns: These pronouns show possession. The most common possessive pronouns are mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, and theirs.

Using pronouns correctly

Pronouns can be tricky to use correctly, but there are a few simple rules to follow:

• Make sure the pronoun agrees with the noun it refers to. For example, if you are referring to a singular noun, you should use a singular pronoun.
• Use the correct case of the pronoun. The case of a pronoun tells its function in a sentence. For example, the subject of a sentence is in the nominative case, while the object of a verb is in the accusative case.
• Use the correct pronoun form. There are different forms of pronouns depending on whether they are singular or plural, and whether they are used in formal or informal speech.

Examples of pronouns in sentences

• I went to the store to buy some milk.
• This is my book.

Relative pronouns are used to introduce relative clauses, which are clauses that provide more information about a noun or pronoun. The most common relative pronouns are who, whom, whose, which, and that.

• Who and whom are used to refer to people. Who is used as the subject of a relative clause, while whom is used as the object of a relative clause.
• Whose is used to show possession.
• Which is used to refer to things or animals.
• That can be used to refer to people, things, or animals. It is the most informal of the relative pronouns.

Demonstrative pronouns

Demonstrative pronouns are used to point to something specific. The four demonstrative pronouns in English are this, that, these, and those.

• This and these are used to refer to things that are near the speaker or writer.
• That and those are used to refer to things that are far from the speaker or writer.

Functions of relative and demonstrative pronouns

Relative and demonstrative pronouns can be used in a variety of functions, including:

• Subject of a clause: The boy who is wearing the blue shirt is my friend.
• Object of a clause: The book that I bought is very interesting.
• Object of a preposition: I gave the book to the girl who was sitting
• Appositive: The man, who is my father, is a doctor.
• Adjective: This book is very interesting.

  Position of relative and demonstrative pronouns

Relative and demonstrative pronouns are usually placed immediately before the noun or pronoun that they refer to. However, they can also be placed at the end of a clause, especially if the clause is long or complex.

Examples of relative and demonstrative pronouns in sentences

• The book that I bought is very interesting.
• The man who is wearing the blue shirt is my friend.

  Identifying relative and demonstrative pronouns

Relative and demonstrative pronouns can be identified by their function in a sentence. If a pronoun is used to refer to something specific and introduce a relative clause, it is a relative pronoun. If a pronoun is used to point to something specific, it is a demonstrative pronoun.

Using relative and demonstrative pronouns freely in sentences

The best way to learn how to use relative and demonstrative pronouns freely in sentences is to practice using them. Try to incorporate them into your writing and speaking as often as possible. You can also find practice exercises online or in grammar books.