Unit - 2: Pronouns
Structure
2.0 Objectives
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Definition
2.3 Kinds of Pronouns
2.3.1 Personal Pronouns
2.3.2 Possessive pronouns
2.3.3
Reciprocal pronouns
2.3.4 Demonstrative pronouns
2.3.5
Reflexive pronouns
2.3.7. Relative pronouns
2.3.8. Interrogative pronouns
2.3.10 Indefinite pronouns
2.4 Pronouns: Number
2.5 Pronouns: Gender
2.6 Pronouns :Persons
2.7 Summary
2.8 Exercises
2.0
Objectives
In this unit we shall discuss Pronouns as used in English
2.1
Introduction
Pronouns are what you understand as सवन
ाम in Hindi. They are not open ended.
The list of pronouns in every language is limited.
2.2
Definition
Pro means 'for'
or 'acting as.'
A pronoun is used as a substitute for a noun
or a noun phrase. In other
words, it has all the characteristics of a noun:
it can function
as a subject/object/complement in a sentence.
A pronoun is used to avoid the repetition of nouns
or noun phrases:
1.
Suresh went to the market because
Suresh wanted to buy a pen.
i.e. Suresh went to the market because he wanted to
buy a pen.
2.
Walking is a form of exercise. Walking is easier
than swimming.
i.e. Walking is a form of exercise. It is easier
than swimming.
But a pronoun
is different from a noun in that it cannot
take a premodifying adjective nor can it take a determiner or a prefix/suffix. The form of a pronoun
is fixed.
2.3
Kinds of Pronouns
There are nine kinds of pronouns:
i)
Personal Pronouns
ii)
Possessive Pronouns
iv)
Demonstrative Pronouns
v)
Reflective Pronouns
vii)
Relative Pronouns
viii)
Interrogative Pronouns
ix)
Indefinite Pronouns
2.3.1
Personal pronouns
I, we, you, he, she, it, they
These seven pronouns
are called personal pronouns. On the basis of their role
in a speech act, these can be divided into three:
First
Person, Second Person, Third Person
2.3.2
Possessive pronouns
my, our, your, his, her, their, its (determiners)
mine, ours, yours, his, hers, theirs, its
(predicative use) They are used to express ownership/possession/relationship. Determiners are followed
by a noun.
This
is my room.
The possessive pronoun in its predicative use cannot
be followed by a noun. We don't say:
This is mine room.
We say:
The room is mine.
Note: Its is always used as a determiner, never
as a predicative.
This
is a lock and that is its key. (not, ... that key is its.)
2.3.3
Reciprocal pronouns
each
other, one another
These are used to express mutual/reciprocal relationship:
They
love each other/one another.
Like any other
pronoun, each other
and one another
have no intrinsic reference; therefore they have to have an antecedent. But unlike other pronouns, these cannot
normally appear as the subject of a main clause because the antecedent should
be in
the sentence itself.
Typically these occur
as object of a verb
or a preposition in a sentence that has a plural
subject.
1.
No two artists approve
of each other's
works. But we cannot say:
2.
If there are two children of the same
age it is always good
to put them
in the same class.
Each other can
help in doing
the homework.
But
we can say:
The
children can help each other in doing the homework.
Even though there are enough contextual clues in (2) as to the antecedent
of each other the sentence is not possible.
Note: Traditional grammar makes a
distinction between each other and one another. It requires that each other be
used of only two people/things and one another
of more than
two. In current
English both are used interchangeably, with a slight preference for each other.
2.3.4 Demonstrative pronouns
this, that, these, those
They are used to point to (demonstrate) people or
things they stand for:
1.
This is our new house.
2.
That is the bridge
built by the
British. Demonstrative pronouns have number contrast:
this these
that those
The basic function of demonstratives is to indicate
the nearness or distance of the
person
or object referred
to, from the speaker.
Some of the uses of
demonstrative pronouns are shown below:
a)
When pointing:
This is my brother, Ravi. That is his new car.
b)
When a specific category is implied:
Those who apply late will not be considered.
c)
When there
is a reference to a previous statement or a statement that follows:
This is what I told them.
That is my opinion on the matter.
Note: Difference between it and this
It is a personal pronoun, whereas this is a
demonstrative pronoun. As a demonstrative pronoun
this indicates nearness
and also identifies a person or thing.
The
use of it does not convey these
shades of meaning,
so this is preferred to it for making a formal announcement or introduction:
This is All India Radio giving you the news. (not, it) Mum, this is Iaya, my friend. (not,
it)
In an answer,
however, it is preferred to this when a contracted form is used. What's this?
It's a new electronic device. (not,
this)
But when a contracted form
is not used,
this is okay. What is this? This is a new
electronic device.
2.3.5 Reflexive pronouns
Form:
A reflexive pronoun
is formed by attaching self/selves to the objective form of the pronoun:
myself, ourselves, yourself/selves, himself, herself, themselves, itself
a)
A reflexive pronoun
is used as a substitute for a noun
in the objective case i.e., as a direct object:
Govind saw Govind
in the mirror. Govind saw himselfin the mirror.
This is used
to avoid an awkward construction 'Govind ... Govind'
. Gayatri laughed at Gayatri.
Gayatri laughed at herself.
Note: .Reflexive means
'bent back', i.e.
'bending the subject
back to the
subject.' A reflexive pronoun
is used when
the subject and the object
refer to the same person or thing. This can be seen from
the agreement between
the subject and the
reflexive object:
I saw myself in the mirror.
We dressed ourselves in the kitchen. You sent yourself a birthday card.
They wrote themselves a 'Thank you' note. He hurt himselfwhile playing.
She taught herself the piano.
One should avail oneself
of this chance.
b)
It can be used as an indirect object
as well:
Sujatha made herself
a new dress. Raghu gives
himself airs.
2.3.7. Relative
pronouns
who, whom, which, what, that
A relative pronoun
relates or refers
back to a noun or pronoun called
its antecedent.
It also joins clauses. So it is a pronoun
as well as a conjunction. Relative pronouns introduce relative clauses
and noun clauses:
Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw
stones. I don't know who is standing at
the gate.
Which is used also as a sentence
relative pronoun to introduce the relative c in a sentence:
They eat snakes, which is
unusual.
2.3.8
Interrogative pronouns
Who, whom, whose, which, what
The forms of relative pronouns and interrogative pronouns are identical, but
their functions are different: the
former join clauses,
the latter ask questions.
a)
Who can come as the subject
or as the object in a clause.
Here who refers only to persons, not to things:
Who discovered America? (as subject) Who did you invite
for lunch? (as object)
Who are you talking about? (as object
of the preposition)
In current English, whom is rarely
used as the object; who is the preferred
form.
b)
Whose is the possessive form of who; it can stand for both animate
and inanimate nouns in interrogative expressions.
Do you know whose book won the award this year? (refers to author)
I borrowed a book from
the library whose
pages are all torn. (refers
to book)
c)
Which is used for both people
and things when
there is an implied choice
or selection:
Which card game
do you like to play? Which teacher do you like best?
d)
What as subject or object is used to refer to things only: What is in your pocket?
What's wrong with you?
Note: a) Who
is used for asking questions about a person's name, what for seeking information about a person's profession.
Who is that
gentleman talking to your father?
He is Mr Reddy. What is he? He is an artist.
b) Which presupposes a set and the
person is being asked about his choice.
What, on the other hand, does not presuppose any set and there is no choice implied.
Which do you want? The red one. What do you want? Some coffee.
2.3.10 Indefinite pronouns
Indefinite pronouns
constitute a heterogenous set. One can
go about classifying them differently using
different criteria.
A)
Universal pronouns:
each,
every, all
Each refers
to two or more people
or things, whereas
every refers to three or more.
Further, each presupposes a set (supplied by the context), every does not.
Rajeev walked into the room
and gave a sweet to everyone (not,
each) Both each and every take
of-constructions following them.
So does all.
All can occur
immediately before a noun. Therefore it is more
like a determiner. At times a definite article
can intervene between
all and the noun.
All the girls
want to imitate
Karen. Each of you should
attend the function.
Everyone of them came to see me in
hospital.
B)
Assertive pronouns:
There are five sub-classes in this:
a)
much, many
more Milk More hats
most Mosy
b)
little, less,
least, few, fewer,
fewest
Less goes with uncountable nouns and fewer with countable nouns.
Occasionally, less can be found with count nouns, too. Expressions denoting periods of time, sums ,of money etc. take
less.
There is less
orange juice in my glass. There are fewer
public holidays this year.
c)
several, enough
Several occurs with plural countable nouns only. Enough can occur with
both
countable and uncountable nouns. Enough, unlike
several, can precede or follow the head noun.
Hanif
and I met and spoke
to several craftspersons at the fair. Have you packed
enough food for a day?
Have you packed
food enough for a day?
d)
one
The use of one as a pronoun
is typical of British English. In American English his is used in place of one's.
One should love one's neighbour.
One should not think too much of oneself.
In question tags we/you is preferred to repeating
one. One cannot live all alone, can
we/you? (not, one) One/ones can
substitute for a countable noun.
This mirror has
cracked. I need
to buy a new one. These grapes are sour. I like sweet
ones.
One can be premodified by the, that, this and which.
I have read a number
of stories, but this is the one I like
best. I don't fancy this model, can I have
that one?
Which one? The one in the corner?
One/ones is usually left out after
these/those/either/neither/firstllastlnext. These cars are smaller than those. (not, those ones)
The last to arrive was the bl ind man.
(not, last one) Here are two shirts. You can take
either. (not. either
one)
e)
someone, somebody, something
Some usually goes with positive statements/questions.
Something must be done
before it is too late. Can someone help me with accounts?
I hope somebody
picks up the phone.
C)
Non-assertive pronouns:
a) anyone, anybody, anything
Any, unlike some, has some special occurrence properties. It does not occur with positive statements unless there is a modal element like can/will. A negative also can licence any.
The citizens will
not believe anything. (not, The citizens
believe anything). I can challenge anybody.
b)
either
Either as a pronoun refers
to one out
of a set of two.
Note that either
is always singular.
Eitheryou make up your mind
quickly, or we leave you and go. Either of the two proposals is acceptable to me.
D) Negative pronouns:
a)
no, no one, nobody,
none, nothing
No can precede
a 'noun, therefore it is like a determiner. Madhuri showed no interest in the new film.
The rest
of the n- series have
only nominal function. These generally take an affirmative verb;
they do not
allow a not in the
sentence.
The police did nothing to control the mob.
(not,
The police could
not do nothing.)
There
are certain varieties of non-standard English where a double negative is common.
b)
neither
Neither is the negative counterpart of either. It is
always used in the singular. It can come before a noun.
Neither of the
allegations is true. Neither allegation is true.
2.4 Pronouns: Number
Like nouns, pronouns
too, have number.
But the number system of pronouns is different from that of nouns because
an s is not added
to pronouns to turn them into
plural. The singular and plural forms
of pronouns are fixed.
singular plural
I, me, my, mine, myself we, us, our,
ours, ourselves you, your, yours,
yourself you,
your, yours, yourselves
he, his, him,
himself she, her, hers, herself
they, them, their,
theirs, themselves
it, its, itself,
one, oneself this, that, much,
little these, those,
ones, both, many, some
each, either, neither, few, each other, one another
none, no one,
someone, anyone, everyone somebody, nobody, anybody,
everybody something, nothing, anything, everything
Note: you, all, any, some, none, who, which and that can
be used in both numbers.
You are a clever fellow. All is not lost.
You
are brave men. . All are well here.
(Thou, the singular second person
pronoun is archaic.)
2.5 Pronouns: Gender
Gender is of four kinds:
i)
Masculine
ii) Feminine
iii) Common
iv)
Neuter
The gender
system of pronouns
is different from
that of nouns
because a suffix
like ess is not used
to mark gender
distinctions. The gender
of pronouns is fixed.
i)
Masculine
pronouns he, him, his,
himself
ii)
Feminine
pronouns she, her, hers,
herself
iii)
Common gender pronouns
I, we, you,
they Personal Pronouns
mine, ours,
yours, theirs Possessive Pronouns myself, yourself, ourselves, themselves Reflexive
Pronouns each other, one another Distributive Pronouns each, either, neither
everybody, nobody, anybody Indefinite Pronouns somebody, everyone,
noone
anyone, someone, one none
ho, which, what, that, Relative Pronouns
who? which? what? Interrogative Pronouns
iv) Neuter gender pronouns
it,
its, itself
anything,
nothing, something, everything
2.6 Pronouns :Persons
Person
is a grammatical category which has three divisions:
The first person
refers to the person speaking or writing (I, we), the
second person to the
person addressed (you)
and the third
person to the
person spoken or written
about
(he, she, they).
In a speech situation the first and second person
are necessarily present, the
third person mayor
may not be present.
i) First person
I, me, my, mine, myself, we, us, our, ours, ourselves
ii)
Second person
you, your, yours,
yourself, yourselves
iii) Third Person
he, his, him,
himself, she, her, herself,
it, its, itself,
they,
them, their, theirs, themselves
2.7 Summary
You have been given a detailed understanding of the pronouns
in English in this
unit.
2.8 Unit End Question
Fill in the blanks with the right alternative:
i)
She doesn't obey parents.
(his, her)
ii) It is who has broken
this chair. (he, him)
iii)
He is not such a man can help us. (who,
as)
iv)
I don't know the man is standing there.
(who, which)
v)
One shouldn't betray friends.
(one's, his)
vi) of the two
sisters is married. (none, neither)
vii)
of the two boys will get a prize.
(anyone, either)
viii)
of the
two girls has short hair.
(each, everyone)
ix) Everyone of the guests has taken seat.
(his, their)
x) He and I believe in doing work
sincerely. (my, our)
xi) My watch broke
yesterday is now
useless. (that, which)
Choose the right alternative and fill in
the blanks:
i)
Who you food and money? (gives/does give)
ii) What the accident?
(did caused/caused)
iii)
What is she? She is . (Mary/a nurse)
iv) He acquitted as a statesman. (well/himself well)
v) is the tallest
girl in the class? (Which/What)
vi)
is he speaking to? (Who/Whom) vii) he gone
yet? (has/hasn't)
viii)
Do you know who ? (she
is/is she)
ix)
They are looking at . (he/him)
x)
Who is he? He is . (a teacher/Rakesh)
III.
Correct these sentences:
1.
My father, that lives in France has sent me a watch.
2.
It are they who create problems
everywhere.
3.
I haven't yet read
the book who is lying
on the shelf.
4.
She is 0 e of those who does what she says.
5.
One can't live all alone, can
one?
6.
They each wants to get a medal.
7.
This is a fan and that is it's switch.
8.
Do you know as to when
will Jennifer get back?
9.
Everyone of these two boys was rewarded.
10.
I am the man who have won a prize.
11.
I think foolish to tease a snake.
12.
This is mine own car.
13.
He always prides on his wealth.
14.
He addressed to the chair.
15.
Which colour is gold?
IV.
Put a tick (V) against
the correct sentence.(s):
1.
a) It was Anil who helped me.
b) It was Anil that helped me.
2.
a) It is Shweta
whom I want to see.
b) It is Shweta that I want to see.
3.
a) This apple is green. I want red
one.
b) This apple is green'. I want a red one.
4.
a) Look at the boy who
is in shorts.
b) Look at the boy that is in shorts.
5.
a) He is the greatest thinker
that was ever born.
b) He is the greatest thinker who was ever born.
6.
a) They eat snakes, which
is nauseating.
b) They eat snakes, which are nauseating.
7, a) A girl who has short
hair she looks
like a boy.
b)
A girl who has short hair
looks like a boy.
c)
A girl that has
short hair looks
like a boy.
8.
a) They enjoyed last night.
b)
They enjoyed
themselves last night.
c)
They enjoyed
themselves a party last night.
9.
a) It is BBC giving you the news.
b) This is BBC giving you the news.
