Pronoun

Personal pronouns

I, we, you, he, she, they and it are called personal pronouns because they stand for the three persons:

1. the person speaking
2. the person spoken to
3. the person spoken of

The pronouns I and we, which refer to the person or persons speaking are said to be the personal pronouns of the first person.

• I am fed up.
• We have to go.
  

The pronoun you, which refers to the person or persons spoken to, is said to be a personal pronoun of the second person. Note that you has the same form for the singular and plural. Both singular and plural you are followed by the plural verbs are and have.

• You are my best friend.
• You have betrayed my trust.

The pronouns he, she and they, which refer to the person or persons spoken of are said to be personal pronouns of the third person. It is also called a personal pronoun of the third person.

Personal pronouns have different forms:

The pronouns that are used as subjects of verbs are: I, he, she, they, you and we.

The personal pronouns that are used as objects of verbs are: me, him, her, them, you and us. Note that you does not change.

Personal pronouns in the possessive case has the following forms: mine, his, hers, theirs, yours and ours.

Note that the possessive pronouns shall not be confused with the possessive adjectives my, his, her, their, your and our. The possessive adjectives are used before nouns.

Compare:

• This is my dog. (Here the possessive adjective my qualifies the noun dog.)
• Those are their books. (Here the possessive adjective their qualifies the noun books.)
• This dog is mine.
• Those books are theirs.
• This is my coat. Where is  yours?

What are relative pronouns?

Read the following pairs of sentences:

1. I saw a little girl. She was very beautiful.
2. I know a man. His son is at Oxford.
3. He got a letter. He had been expecting it.

Each of these pairs can be combined into a single sentence:

1. I saw a little girl who was very beautiful.
2. I know a man whose son is at Oxford.
3. He got a letter that he had been expecting.

Here the words who, whose and which are examples of relative pronouns. Let’s examine what purpose they serve in the sentences.

In sentence 1, who stands for the little girl: hence it is a pronoun. It also connects the two statements ‘I saw a little girl’ and ‘She was very beautiful’. Hence it acts as a conjunction. Thus it does double work and may be called a conjunctive pronoun. But it is actually called a relative pronoun because it relates or refers to a noun that has gone before it.

In sentence 2 and 3, the words whose and which also do double work as pronoun and conjunction. Both are, therefore, called relative pronouns.

The noun to which a relative pronoun refers is called its antecedent. In the sentences given above, the nouns girl, man and letter are the antecedents of who, whose and which respectively.

Functions of the relatives within their clauses

Within the subordinate clause the relative pronoun may serve as subject or object of the verb, or object of a preposition.

As subject

Trust no man who does not love his country. (Here the relative pronoun who is the subject of the subordinate clause ‘who does not love his country’.)

As object of the verb

There I met an old man whom my father had known.

As the object of a preposition

There was no room in which we could stay.

Note that when the relative pronoun is the object of a preposition, we can put the preposition at the end of the clause. In such cases we usually omit the relative pronoun.

There was no room we could stay in.

What are reflexive pronouns?

Reflexive pronouns are words like myself, yourself, herself, himself, itself, oneself, ourselves and themselves.

Uses

A very common use of reflexive pronouns is to talk about actions where the subject and object are the same person.

• The old woman killed herself. (Here the subject and object are the same person – the old woman.)
• I am going to the shops to get myself some clothes.

Emphatic use

We can use reflexive pronouns as subject or object emphasisers. When used emphatically a reflexive pronoun means ‘that person / thing and nobody / nothing else’.

• The manager himself said this. (= The manager and nobody else said this.)
• I myself talked to him.
• I will see the President himself if I have to.

Reflexives used instead of personal pronouns

Reflexive pronouns are used instead of personal pronouns after words like as, like, but (for) and except (for).

• Everybody turned up except yourself. OR Everybody turned up except you.

By oneself / yourself etc

The expressions by oneself / yourself etc can mean ‘alone’ or  ‘without company’.

• She said that she would like to spend some time by herself. (= She would like to spend some time alone.)

No possessive forms

The reflexive pronouns do not have possessive forms. Instead, we use my own, your own, our own etc.

• I always cook my own food. (NOT I always cook myself’s food.)

Reflexives not used

Certain verbs are not used with reflexive pronouns. Examples are: open, sell, feel, hurry etc.

• Hurry! (NOT Hurry yourself!)
• I felt strange. (NOT I felt myself strange.)

Distributive pronouns

Consider the following sentences:

• Each boy was given a prize.
• Either road leads to the railway station.
• Neither accusation is true.

Each, either and neither are called distributive pronouns because they refer to persons or things one at a time. Note that a distributive pronoun is always singular and as such it should be followed by a singular noun and verb.

• Each new day is different. (NOT Each new days are different.)
• Either girl can do that. (NOT Either girls can do that.)
• Neither answer is correct. (NOT Neither answers is correct.) (NOT Neither answers are correct.)

Notes

Each of, neither of and either of are followed by plural nouns and singular verbs.

• Each of the answers is correct. (NOT Each of the answer is correct.)
• Neither of the girls can do that. (NOT Either of the girl can do that.)

Either and neither should be used only in speaking of two persons or things. When more than two persons or things are spoken of, any, no one or none should be used.

• None of the three answers is correct. (NOT Neither of the three answers is correct.)
• We invited several friends, but none came. (NOT … but neither came.)
• You can take any of the three shirts. (NOT You can take either of the three shirts.)

Each

Each can go in different positions.

• Each of the boys was given a present.
• The boys were each given a present.
• They have each been told.
• Each of them have been told.
• We each think the same.
• Each of us think the same.

Indefinite pronouns

Study the following sentences.

• One hardly knows what to do.
• One cannot choose one’s parents.
• One must not boast of one’s success.
• One should love one’s country.
• None of them have come yet.
• None but fools have ever believed it.
• None of his books are best sellers.
• Some are born great; some achieve greatness.
• Nobody came to his rescue.
• Somebody has let the cat in.
• Few escaped unhurt.
• What is everybody’s business is nobody’s business.

In the sentences given above the pronouns in bold text are examples of indefinite pronouns because they do not refer to a particular person or thing. Indefinite pronouns are used to talk about people or things in a general way.

Notes

Note that none is the shortened form of no one. In an informal style, none is commonly used with plural verbs.

Most indefinite pronouns can be used as adjectives.

• Any fool can do that.
• One day my prince will come.
• He is man of few words.
• Some milk was spilt.

To refer back to anybody, everybody, everyone, anyone, each etc., the pronoun he or she is used according to the context.

• Everyone of the boys has handed in his work.
• Everyone of the girls has brought her violin.

Note that nowadays it is more common to use the plural pronoun they/them/their to refer back to everybody, anybody etc.

• Anybody can do it if they try.

Demonstrative pronouns

Study the following sentences.

• This is a gift from my brother.
• Both watches are good; but this is better than that.
• My views are in accordance with those of the Chairman.
• These are mere excuses.
• That is the Red Fort.
• Mumbai mangoes are better than those of Bangalore.

You will have noticed that the pronouns in bold text are used to point out the objects to which they refer. They are, therefore, called demonstrative pronouns. There are four demonstrative pronouns in English: this, that, these and those.

Note that this and that are used with singular nouns. These and those are used with plural nouns.

This and these refer to object/objects close at hand. That and those refer to what is ‘over there’.

• This is better than that.

Demonstrative adjectives

This, that, these and those are demonstrative adjectives when they are used with nouns.

• That book is mine.
• What is that noise?
• These flowers are very beautiful.
• Those days were the best.
• This horse is faster than that horse.

Special uses

That and those are often used to avoid the repetition of a preceding noun.

• The streets of Mumbai are busier than those of Paris. (= The streets of Mumbai are busier than the streets of Paris.)

Here the demonstrative those is used to avoid the repetition of ‘the streets’.

Use of the words he/she, him/her and his/hers etc.

Read the following sentences.

• He has a camera. The camera belongs to him. It is his camera. The camera is his.
• She has a diamond ring. The diamond ring belongs to her. It is her diamond ring. The diamond ring is hers.
• They have a tea garden. The tea garden belongs to them. It is their tea garden. The tea garden is theirs.

The sentences given in each set express the same idea using different forms of the personal pronouns he, she and they.

The main difference between nouns and pronouns is that nouns do not change their form except when forming the possessive case.

Pronouns, on the other hand, have different forms.

The forms he, she and they are used when a pronoun is the subject of a sentence.

The forms him, her and them are used when a pronoun is the object of a sentence.

The forms his, her, hers, their and theirs are possessive in nature.

Possessives are of two kinds: possessive pronouns and possessive adjectives.

Possessive adjectives go before nouns. Possessive pronouns are used alone.

Note that the possessive pronoun and possessive adjective form of he is the same: his

Study the following sentences.

• This is his cap. This cap is his.
• This is her ring. This ring is hers. (NOT This ring is her.)
• This is their car. This car is theirs. (NOT This car is their.)

Possessive pronouns and adjectives

Read the following sentences.

• This necklace belongs to her. They do not belong to you.

We can combine these sentences using possessive pronouns.

• This necklace is hers, not yours.
• This car belongs to him. It does not belong to me.
• This car is his, not mine.

Exercise

Combine the following pairs of sentences using possessive pronouns or adjectives.

1. It is your problem. It is not my problem.

2. It is his responsibility. It is not my responsibility.

3. The property belongs to us. It does not belong to them.

4. He writes the lyrics. She composes the tunes.

5. One of these cars belongs to me and the others belong to him.

6. We make the investment. They take the profit.

7. The apartment belongs to me but the furniture belongs to my father.

8. The children are mine. They are not his.

Answers

1. The problem is yours, not mine.

2. The responsibility is his, not mine.

3. The property is ours, not theirs.

4. The lyrics are his and the tunes are hers.

5. One of these cars is mine and the others are his.

6. The investment is ours, but the profit is theirs.

7. The apartment is mine, but the furniture is my father’s.

8. They are my children, not his.

Relative clauses and relative pronouns

Clauses beginning with question words (e.g. who, which, where) are often used to identify people and things. Clauses used like this are called relative clauses. They can also be called adjective clauses.

Examples are given below.

• James, who is my neighbor, is a well-known painter. (Here the relative clause ‘who is my neighbor’ gives more information about the noun James.)
• This is the house that my grandfather built. (Here the relative clause ‘that my grandfather built’ gives more information about the noun house.)
• I have never met the people who live next door. (Here the relative clause ‘who live next door’ identify the noun people.)
• I know a girl who works in a pub.
• I have found the keys that you were looking for.

Relative pronouns

When words like who, which and that are used to introduce relative clauses, they are often called relative pronouns. Relative pronouns can be the subjects of verbs in relative clauses. Note that who is used to refer to people and which is used to refer to things. That can be used to refer to both people and things.

• Who is that fat woman who sits next to James? (NOT Who is that fat woman which sits next to James?)
• The people that live next door aren’t very sociable. OR The people who live next door aren’t very sociable. (That can refer to both people and things.)
• What happened to those hundred pounds which I lent you? OR What happened to those hundred pounds that I lent you? (Both which and that can refer to things.)

Relative pronouns can also be the objects of verbs in relative clauses. Note that in a formal style, who is not normally used as an object. Instead, we use whom.

• She married someone whom I really admire. (Formal)
• She married someone who I really admire. (Informal)

Personal pronouns exercise

Fill in the blanks with suitable pronouns.

1. John and Peter are brothers. I know ………………… . very well and my father likes ………………….. very much.

2. This book has many interesting pictures and stories. I like ……………………… very much.

3. The woman gave sweets to the children, but …………………. did not thank …………………

4. The teacher said, ‘John, you’re a naughty boy. …………………. don’t obey ………………………’

5. The boys were late so the teacher scolded …………………… ..

6. We have a good teacher. ……………………… advised ………………… .. to work harder.

7. My father told my mother, ‘I want ………………… .. to take these jewels and put ………………….. in a box. When …………………… . have done that come and see ……………………… and ………………… .. will tell ……………………….. why ………………… . don’t want …………………… .. to keep ………………….. in that box.

Answers

1. John and Peter are brothers. I know them very well and my father likes them very much.

2. This book has many interesting pictures and stories. I like it very much.

3. The woman gave sweets to the children, but they did not thank her.

4. The teacher said, ‘John, you’re a naughty boy. You don’t obey me.’

5. The boys were late so the teacher scolded them.

6. We have a good teacher. He / she advised us to work harder.

7. My father told my mother, ‘I want you to take these jewels and put them in a box. When you have done that come and see me and I will tell you why I don’t want you to keep them in that box.

Using the demonstrative pronouns

There are only five demonstrative pronouns in English: this, that, these, those and such. Demonstrative pronouns can behave either as pronouns or as adjectives.

When used as pronouns, these words identify or point to nouns.

• That was an incredible experience. (Here the demonstrative pronoun that refers to something the speaker just talked about.)
• I don’t believe this. (Here the demonstrative pronoun this refers to something mentioned in a previous sentence.)
• Such was his command over the language. (Here the demonstrative pronoun such refers to an explanation just made.)

As adjectives, the demonstratives modify a noun that follows. We can convey a sense of distance in time and space through the choice of demonstratives.

This and these are used to denote things and situations closer in space and time.

• Get this bird off my shoulder. (Here the reference is to a bird sitting on the speaker’s shoulder. It is very close to him in space.)
• Get that cat off the piano. (Here the reference is to a cat sitting on a piano away from the speaker.)

These and those are the plural forms of this and that.

• Listen to this. (Here we are referring to a situation which is just about to start.)

That and those can be used to talk about experiences which have just finished.

• That was an unforgettable experience. (Here we are talking about something happened in the past.)

Acceptance and rejection

This and these are used to show acceptance or interest. That and those can show rejection or dislike.

• That boy of yours has stained my walls. (dislike)
• Tell me about this new project of yours. (interest)

 

Pronoun-antecedent agreement

A pronoun is a word used to refer to a noun mentioned earlier in the text. This noun is called the antecedent of the pronoun.

• Susmita is a pretty girl. She also sings well. (Pronoun – she; antecedent – Susmita)

Note that the pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number and person. That means if the antecedent is a singular noun, then the pronoun used to refer to it, too, should be singular in number.

Problem points

The indefinite pronouns anybody, everyone, anyone, someone, somebody, no one, and nobody are always singular.

The pronouns either and neither are also singular.

The need for pronoun-antecedent agreement doesn’t create any problems when the gender is clearly specified.

• John works hard. He will pass.

But when the sex of the person is not mentioned, finding a pronoun that agrees with its antecedent can be difficult.

The following sentence, for example, shows gender bias.

• A student must hand in his assignment before the end of this month.

Here the noun student can refer to both boys and girls and hence there is no justification for using pronoun his.

One solution is to pluralize.

• Students must hand in their assignments before the end of this month.

Or you can say:

• A student must hand in his or her assignment before the end of the month.

However, if you use the expression ‘his or her’ too many times, the effect can be ridiculous.

Instead, many writers now prefer using the pronoun they/their.

• Somebody has left their umbrella behind.

More natural than ‘Somebody has left his or her umbrella behind.’

Common mistakes in the use of pronouns

In this article we will take a look at some common mistakes in the use of pronouns.

Incorrect: Each of these boys play cricket well.

Correct: Each of these boys plays cricket well.

Incorrect: Each of these three roads lead to the railway station.

Correct: Each of these three roads leads to the railway station.

After each of we use a plural noun or pronoun and a singular verb.

Incorrect: Both didn’t go.

Correct: Neither went.

In negative sentences we do not normally use both. Instead, we use neither.

Incorrect: We all did not go.

Correct: None of us went.

In negative sentences we do not normally use all. Instead, we use none.

Incorrect: Each boy and each girl were given a book.

Correct: Each boy and each girl was given a book.

Incorrect: Have you got a pen? I haven’t got.

Correct: Have you got a pen? I haven’t got one.

The verb get needs to be followed by an object.

Incorrect: My all books are lost.

Correct: All of my books are lost.

Incorrect: Let I go.

Correct: Let me go.

Incorrect: Let we move.

Correct: Let us move.

Let is a verb. It should be followed by a pronoun in object form.

Incorrect: Your problem is bigger than me.

Correct: Your problem is bigger than mine.

Correct: Your problem is bigger than my problem.

Incorrect: Whoever does best he will get a prize.

Correct: Whoever does best will get a prize.

Incorrect: I and he are brothers.

Correct: He and I are brothers.

Incorrect: I and Mark are friends.

Correct: Mark and I are friends.

Pronouns should go in the proper order – the person spoken to, first; the person spoken of, second and the speaker, third.

Combine using relative pronouns

Relative pronouns are words used to combine two clauses into one. Besides combining the two clauses, the relative pronoun acts as the subject or object of the verb in the relative clause.

An example is given below.

• The boy solved the puzzle. He was praised by the teacher.

We can combine these two clauses using a relative pronoun.

• The boy who solved the puzzle was praised by the teacher.

Combine the following pairs of sentences using a relative pronoun.

1. The parcel reached me this morning. My brother sent it.

2. This is the house. Jack built it.

3. The boy didn’t do his homework. The teacher punished him.

4. He tells lies. He deserves to be punished.

5. I know a man. He wears a prosthetic leg.

6. Bring me the file. The file is on the table.

7. We met a girl. The girl had lost her way.

8. I saw a soldier. He had lost an arm.

9. Once upon a time there lived a giant. The giant was very powerful and cruel.

10. The dog bit the burglar. He was trying to break into the house.

Answers

1. The parcel which my brother sent reached me this morning.

2. This is the house that Jack built.

3. The teacher punished the boy who didn’t do his homework.

4. He who tells lies deserves to be punished.

5. I know a man who wears a prosthetic leg.

6. Bring me the file which is on the table.

7. We met a girl who had lost her way.

8. I saw a soldier who had lost an arm.

9. Once upon a time there lived a giant who was very powerful and cruel.

10. The dog bit the burglar who was trying to break into the house.

Pronouns Exercise (Beginner Level)

Pronouns are words like he, him, his, she, her, I, me, we, us, they, them and it. Pronouns are used to refer to nouns. They can be the subject or object of a verb. Pronouns have different forms.

Subject forms: I, we, he, she, they, you, it

Object forms: me, us, him, her, them, you, it

Possessive forms: my, mine; our, ours; his, his; her, hers; their, theirs; your, yours; its

Can you use pronouns correctly? Test your understanding with this grammar exercise. Fill in the blanks with an appropriate pronoun.

1. My name is Samuel. ........................... am a German.

I

Me

2. My grandparents live in Berlin. We visit ......................... often.

they

them

3. Let ......................... help you carry these bags.

I

me

4. Should ......................... help you carry these books?

I

me

5. Can ............... tell me where ................... can find a good restaurant?

you, I

you, me

me, you

6. James should stay back after school. ...................... has football practice.

He

Him

They

7. That pen is ........................... It is not ......................

my, your

mine, yours

my, yours

8. This is ......................... bedroom. That is ....................

my, her

my, hers

mine, hers

9. We can go to ..................... place or we can go to ....................

our, your

our, yours

ours, yours

10. My birthday is on 18th May and ...................... is on 21st June.

her

hers

she

11. This is my jacket and that is .......................

him

his

12. ......................... bag is this?

Whose

Who's

Answers

1. My name is Samuel. I am a German.
2. My grandparents live in Berlin. We visit them often.
3. Let me help you carry these bags.
4. Should I help you carry these books?
5. Can you tell me where I can find a good restaurant?
6. James should stay back after school. He has football practice.
7. That pen is mine. It is not yours.
8. This is my bedroom. That is hers.
9. We can go to our place or we can go to yours.
10. My birthday is on 18th May and hers is on 21st June.
11. This is my jacket and that is his.
12. Whose bag is this?

Relative Pronouns Exercise

Relative pronouns are words like who, whom, which, that and whose. They not only connect two clauses but also serve as the subject or object of the verb in the relative clause. They replace words like he, she, they, him, her, them etc.

1. I know a man ………………….. son studies in the US.

who

whose

whom

2. The thief ………………… stole the watch was punished.

who

which

what

whom

3. Show me the road ………………. leads to Agra.

which

that

Either could be used here

4. He …………….. does his best should be rewarded.

who

whom

which

5. My grandfather ………………. I loved is dead.

who

whom

which

Either who or whom

6. Wellington ………………. defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo was a great general.

who

whom

which

7. We met a child ……………. had lost his way.

who

which

whom

8. He is a rascal ……………… no one likes.

whom

which

what

9. That boy ……………… you see over there plays very well.

who

whom

Either could be used here

10. Here are the keys ………………. you were looking for.

which

that

Either could be used here

11. The dog bit the burglar ……………….. had broken into the house.

who

whom

which

12. Coal ……………… is a useful mineral is found in many parts of the world.

which

what

whose

Answers

1. I know a man whose son studies in the US.
2. The thief who stole the watch was punished.
3. Show me the road which / that leads to Agra.
4. He who does his best should be rewarded.
5. My grandfather who/whom I loved is dead.
6. Wellington who defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo was a great general.
7. We met a child who had lost his way.
8. He is a rascal whom no one likes.
9. That boy who / whom you see over there plays very well.
10. Here are the keys that / which you were looking for.
11. The dog bit the burglar who had broken into the house.
12. Coal which is a useful mineral is found in many parts of the world.

Subject And Object Pronouns Exercise

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate subject or object pronoun.

1. I met .............................. at the party but ...................... didn't recognize .................

him, he, me

he, him, I

he, him, me

2. I think I have seen ...................... before.

she

her

hers

3. You shouldn't have done this to ............................

I

me

we

4. Where could ..................................... have gone at this hour of the night?

she

her

hers

5. He took .......................... with .......................

them, him

they, he

them, he

6. What is ............................ doing there?

she

her

hers

7. Why don't you listen to ...........................?

they

them

their

8. No one would have done this except ........................

he

him

his

9. Did anyone see ...........................?

he

him

his

10. All of .............................. arrived on time.

they

them

11. She is taller than ...........................

I am

me

Either could be used here

12. I saw you and ............................ there.

she

her

Either could be used here

Answers

1. I met him at the party but he didn’t recognize me.
2. I think I have seen her before.
3. You shouldn’t have done this to me.
4. Where could she have gone at this hour of the night?
5. He took them with him.
6. What is she doing there?
7. Why don’t you listen to them?
8. No one would have done this except him.
9. Did anyone see him?
10. All of them arrived on time.
11. She is taller than me / I am. 
12. I saw you and her there.

Who, Which, Whom, What, Whose, That

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate relative pronoun.

1. ……………… she said made me angry.

That

What

Which

2. She has acted in a movie …………….. name I don’t remember.

which

what

whose

3. The only thing ………………. keeps me awake is tea.

that

what

which

4. I have got something ………………. belongs to you.

which

that

what

5. She married a nice young guy …………….. was her senior at college.

who

whom

which

6. This is the house ………………

where I was born

that I was born in

in which I was born

All of the above

7. It is a story ……………… will captivate readers of all ages.

that

which

Either could be used here

8. The proposal ……………… she put forward was quite interesting.

that

which

Either could be used here

9. She is somebody ………………. really can’t stand.

I

that I

Either could be used here

10. She has married someone ……………. I really admire.

who

whom

Either could be used here

11. What is the name of the tall girl ………………. just walked in?

who

that

Either could be used here

12. Is that your car ……………….. is parked outside?

that

which

Either could be used here

Answers

1. What she said made me angry.
2. She has acted in a movie whose name I don’t remember.
3. The only thing that keeps me awake is tea.
4. I have got something that belongs to you.
5. She married a nice young guy who was her senior at college.
6. This is the house that I was born in / where I was born / in which I was born.
7. It is a story that / which will captivate readers of all ages.
8. The proposal which / that she put forward was quite interesting.
9. She is somebody I / that I really can’t stand.
10. She has married someone who / whom I really admire.
11. What is the name of the tall girl who / that just walked in?
12. Is that your car that / which is parked outside?

Possessives Exercise

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate possessive form.

1. I saw that .................... yesterday.

Alice's hot boyfriend

hot boyfriend of Alice

hot boyfriend of Alice's

2. She is a .........................

John's close friend

close friend of John

close friend of John's

3. That bag must be .................

her

her's

hers

4. The dog is happy. ................. just had .............. breakfast.

It's; its

It's; it's

Its; its

5. ................... has just invited me to her party.

A my friend

A friend of I

A friend of mine

6. How is that ......................?

your brother

brother of you

brother of yours

7. Other people’s lives always seem more exciting than ................

one's

one's own

ones own

8. Did you like this new idea ..................?

of the minister

of the minister's

9. That artist is a ....................

my friend

friend of I

friend of mine

10. That ...................... has drunk all the milk.

your cat

cat of your

cat of yours

11. It is easy to lose ................ temper when one is criticized.

ones

one's own

one's

12. The teacher asked the students to submit their .................

assignment

assignments

Either could be used here

Answers

1. I saw that hot boyfriend of Alice’s yesterday.
2. She is a close friend of John’s.
3. That bag must be hers.
4. The dog is happy. It’s just had its breakfast.
5. A friend of mine has just invited me to her party.
6. How is that brother of yours?
7. Other people’s lives always seem more exciting than one’s own.
8. Did you like this new idea of the minister’s?
9. That artist is a friend of mine.
10. That cat of yours has drunk all the milk.
11. It is easy to lose one’s temper when one is criticized.
12. The teacher asked the students to submit their assignments.

Relative Pronouns Exercise

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate relative pronoun.

1. Have you got a novel …………………………. is really interesting to read?

that

which

Either could be used here

2. She has acted in a movie ……………………….. name I have forgotten.

which

who's

whose

of which

3. He is married to a writer ………………………….. you may have heard.

whom

of whom

that

4. It was a meeting ……………………………. purpose I did not understand.

of which

which

whose

5. We became friendly with some students ………………………… we met on the train.

that or which

that or who

that or whom

6. Alice married her boyfriend, ……………………......… made her parents very unhappy.

that

what

which

7. Mary, ………………………… teaches my daughter English, has moved to another city.

who

that

which

8. I know a shop ……………………….. they sell imported perfumes.

that

where

which

9. It is the best film ……………………………… has ever been made about the French Revolution.

that

which

what

10. I have got something .......................................... belongs to you?

that

which

what

11. I have got ................................................. I need.

that

which

what

12. He was respected by the people with ………………………….. he worked.

what

that

whom

Answers

1. Have you got a novel that / which is really interesting to read?
2. She has acted in a movie whose name I have forgotten.
3. He is married to a writer of whom you may have heard.
4. It was a meeting whose purpose I did not understand.
5. We became friendly with some students whom / that we met on the train.
6. Alice married her boyfriend, which made her parents very unhappy.
7. Mary, who teaches my daughter English, has moved to another city.
8. I know a shop where they sell imported perfumes.
9. It is the best film that has ever been made about the French Revolution.
10. I have got something that belongs to you?
11. I have got what I need.
12. He was respected by the people with whom he worked.

Indefinite Pronouns Exercise

Indefinite personal pronouns are used to talk about people in general. They do not refer to any particular person. Can you use them correctly?

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate indefinite pronoun.

1. ................................. can't learn a new language in a week.

One

You

Either could be used here

2. .............................. should never tolerate injustice.

One

Somebody

Anybody

3. How ..................................... get to Calicut?

does one

do you

Either could be used here

4. .................................... can find lots of people who speak English in India.

One

They

Somebody

5. .................................. knocked at the door.

One

Anybody

Somebody

6. ................................ do not allow smoking in the kitchen.

One

They

Somebody

7. Centuries ago ................................. believed that the sun went around the earth.

one

you

they

8. ................................ should knock before walking into somebody's room.

Please select 2 correct answers

You

One

They

9. One should never hide anything from ................................... doctor or lawyer.

his

one's

Either could be used here

10. ................................ say her marriage is in trouble.

They say

One says

You say

11. ............................... doesn't know what to do in such situations.

One

Somebody

Anybody

12. ...................................... going to widen the road.

One is

You are

They are

Answers

1. One / You can’t learn a new language in a week.
2. One / You should never tolerate injustice.
3. How does one / do you get to Calicut?
4. One / You can find lots of people who speak English in India.
5. Somebody knocked at the door.
6. They do not allow smoking in the kitchen.
7. Centuries ago they believed that the sun went around the earth.
8. One should knock before walking into somebody’s room.
9. One should never hide anything from one’s / his doctor or lawyer.
10. They say her marriage is in trouble.
11. One doesn’t know what to do in such situations.
12. They are going to widen the road.

Nouns And Pronouns Exercise

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate pronoun or verb that agrees with the subject in number and person.

1. This is one of the best novels that ……………….. appeared this year.

has

have

2. The boy …………………….. I trusted proved worthy of my confidence.

who

which

whom

3. Ambition is one of those passions that ………………………. never satisfied.

is

are

4. This is the same man ……………………….. we saw yesterday.

that

as

Either could be used here

5. He has an impudence ………………………… carry him through anything.

would

which would

Either could be used here

6. You and ………………………. are invited to tea this morning.

I

me

Either could be used here

7. Are they better qualified than ………………………… to judge?

we

us

Either could be used here

8. Neither of them ………………………….. invited to the party.

was

were

9. The athlete, ……………………………. you spoke so highly of, has failed to qualify for the race.

who

which

whom

10. When you have examined these documents please return ………………………. to us.

same

them

the same

11. They know it as well as ……………………… do.

I

me

12. He is as good a bowler as ....................................

me

I am

Either could be used here

Answers

1. This is one of the best novels that have appeared this year.
2. The boy whom I trusted proved worthy of my confidence.
3. Ambition is one of those passions that are never satisfied.
4. This is the same man that / as we saw yesterday.
5. He has an impudence which would carry him through anything.
6. You and I are invited to tea this morning.
7. Are they better qualified than us to judge?
8. Neither of them was invited to the party.
9. The athlete, whom you spoke so highly of, has failed to qualify for the race.
10. When you have examined these documents please return them to us.
11. They know it as well as I do.
12. He is as good a bowler as me / I am.

Pronouns Exercise

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate pronoun.

1. When I have guests I myself cook dinner for ……………………

they

them

themselves

2. When she realized her mistake she laughed at ……………………

her

herself

3. Susie prevented me from entering …………………….. room.

her

hers

4. She yelled at ………………………… without any provocation.

I

me

myself

5. That is ………………………….

my

mine

myself

6. ………………….. bag is this?

Who's

Whose

7. This is my car. Is that ………………………….?

your

yours

Show hint

8. I couldn’t believe ……………………….. eyes.

Please select 2 correct answers

my

myself

my own

9. I did it …………………………. as there was no one to help me.

me

myself

myselves

10. Please do it …………………………..

yourself

you

your

11. I cut ………………………… while shaving.

me

myself

myselves

12. She admired ……………………………. in the mirror.

her

herself

herselves

Answers

1. When I have guests I myself cook dinner for them.

2. When she realized her mistake she laughed at herself.

3. Sam prevented me from entering his room.

4. She yelled at me without any provocation.

5. That is mine.

6. Whose bag is this?

7. This is my car. Is that yours?

8. I couldn’t believe my own eyes.

9. I did it myself as there was no one to help me.

10. Please do it yourself.

11. I cut myself while shaving.

12. She admired herself in the mirror.

Pronouns Exercise

Fill in the blanks.

1. Each of these boys …………………………. the guitar.

play

plays

2. ………………………….. the party.

Both did not attend

Neither attended

Either could be used here

3. Each ...................................... has five fingers.

hand

hands

4. Each of these roads ………………………… to the station.

lead

leads

5. Here is my bottle. Please ………………………………

fill

fill it

6. He ………………………… during the holidays.

enjoyed

enjoyed himself

7. Let ………………………….. have a look at this.

me

I

8. I am not as tall as ………………………………….

Please select 2 correct answers

him

he is

he

9. …………………………….. is responsible for his failure.

Only he

He alone

10. Whoever does best ……………………………… get the first prize.

he will

will

11. People starve when ………………………… have no money.

we

you

they

12. …………………………. a cloudy day, we did not go out.

Being

It being

Answers

1. Each of these boys plays the guitar.

2. Neither attended the party.

3. Each hand has five fingers.

4. Each of these roads leads to the station.

5. Here is my bottle. Please fill it.

6. He enjoyed himself during the holidays.

7. Let me have a look at this.

8. I am not as tall as him / he is.

9. He alone is responsible for his failure.

10. Whoever does best will get the first prize.

11. People starve when they have no money.

12. It being a cloudy day, we did not go out.

Possessive Pronouns And Adjectives

Fill in the blanks with appropriate personal pronouns or adjectives.

1. Have you lost ………………………… marbles?

your

yours

2. This is my bag. Which one is …………………………………?

your

yours

3. My composition is better than ………………………………

your

yours

4. She is taller than ………………………………..

he

his

him

5. I have invited all of ……………………………. to my party.

they

them

their

6. I have never had the opportunity to meet any one of ……………………………

they

them

their

7. We went to ……………………………. native place last week.

our

ours

8. Who is at the door? It must be .............................

her

hers

9. Whose book is this? It must be ……………………………

her

hers

10. My dog is white. …………………………. is black.

Their

Theirs

11. No one loves you more than ……………………………

I

me

12. She is a friend of ...........................

my

mine

Answers

1. Have you lost your marbles?

2. This is my bag. Which one is yours?

3. My composition is better than yours.

4. She is taller than him.

5. I have invited all of them to my party.

6. I have never had the opportunity to meet any one of them.

7. We went to our native place last week.

8. Who is at the door? It must be her.

9. Whose book is this? It must be hers.

10. My dog is white. Theirs is black.

11. No one loves you more than me.

12. She is a friend of mine.

Pronouns Exercise

Fill in the blanks.

1. Each of these boys ………………….cricket well.

play

plays

2. Everyone of them …………………… present.

was

were

3. Neither of them ................................ there.

was

were

4. They all helped ……………………..

each other

one another

5. Let …………………….. get going.

we

us

6. I am not as tall as ………………… is.

he

him

7. Go now and ...........................

enjoy

enjoy yourself

enjoy oneself

8. His claim is more legitimate than ……………………..

you

your

yours

9. …………………….. are responsible for your failure.

Only you

You alone

10. Whoever does best ……………………. get the price.

will

he will

he would

11. …………………… to the party.

Both didn't go

Neither went

12. …………………. are bothers.

He and I

I and he

I and him

Answers

1. Each of these boys plays cricket well.

2. Every one of them was present.

3. Neither of them was there.

4. They all helped one another.

5. Let us get going.

6. I am not as tall as he is.

7. Go now and enjoy yourself.

8. His claim is more legitimate than yours.

9. You alone are responsible for your failure.

10. Whoever does best will get the price.

11. Neither went to the party.

12. He and I are bothers.

Pronouns Worksheet

Fill in the blanks.

1. Each of the four boys …………………… clever.

is

are

were

2. Neither of them …………………… there.

was

were

3. …………………… books are lost.

My all

All my

Either could be used here

4. The two brothers quarreled with ……………………….

one another

each other

5. Your need is greater than …………………..

my

me

mine

6. John and …………………… are friends.

I

me

7. Rahul and I …………………… cousins.

am

are

is

8. He is older than …………………… am.

I

me

myself

9. None of us …………………….. seen him.

has

have

10. My essay is better than …………………..

your

yours

11. Every light …………………… out.

was

were

12. That boy of ……………………… has broken my window again.

your

yours

Answers

1. Each of the four boys is clever.

2. Neither of them was there.

3. All my books are lost.

4. The two brothers quarreled with each other.

5. Your need is greater than mine.

6. John and I are friends.

7. Rahul and I are cousins.

8. He is older than I am.

9. None of us has seen him.

10. My essay is better than yours.

11. Every light was out.

12. That boy of yours has broken my window again.

Pronouns Exercise

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate form of the pronoun.

1. He is smarter than ...................

you

your

yourself

2. He lives on ..................... own terms.

him

his

himself

3. The old woman is quite fond of .................... grandchildren.

her

hers

she

4. Can you show me ..................... passport?

you

your

yours

5. I know ................... and .................... parents.

he, his

him, his

himself, his

6. This is my passport. Can you show me .........................?

your

yours

your's

7. That purse is .........................

my

me

mine

8. That dog of ..................... is always barking at me.

your

yours

your's

9. Whose bag is this? It is ......................

her

hers

her's

10. When are you going to return the camera you borrowed from ………………………….?

I

me

mine

11. Does she understand what .................... is doing?

she

her

hers

12. What she says or does makes no sense to ………………………….

I

me

mine

Answers

1. He is smarter than you.

2. He lives on his own terms.

3. The old woman is quite fond of her grandchildren.

4. Can you show me your passport?

5. I know him and his parents.

6. This is my passport. Can you show me yours?

7. That purse is mine.

8. That dog of yours is always barking at me.

9. Whose bag is this? It is hers.

10. When are you going to return the camera you borrowed from me?

11. Does she understand what she is doing?

12. What she says or does makes no sense to me.