What is Pronoun? A Detailed Overview of Their Types

Definition of Pronoun:

A Pronoun is a word which is used instead of a Noun.
For example:
Rahim is a good boy. He obeys his parents.
Explanation:
In above sentences “Rahim” is a word of noun. On the contrary “He” is a word of pronoun, because “He” is used instead of “Rahim”.

Classification of Pronoun

There are eight kinds of pronouns. Such as;

1. Personal pronoun- Example: I, we, you, he, she, they, it etc.
2. Interrogative pronoun. – Example: who, what, which etc.
3. Distributive pro noun. Example: each, either, neither etc.
4. Demonstrative pronoun. – Example: this, that, these, those, such etc.
5. Relative pronoun.-Example: who, what, which etc.
6. Reciprocal pronoun.- Example: each other, one another etc.
7. Reflexive and emphatic pronoun.-Example: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself etc.
8. Infinitive pronoun. – Example: one, any, some etc.

 Elaborate Discussion

Personal pronoun:

Definition of personal pronoun: A personal pronoun is a word which is used instead of person or things.
For example:
In case of person :

• I did it.
• You can do it.
• They are students.

Note: In the above sentences, the bold mark words are personal pronoun.

In case of things:

• He did it.
• I have a dog. I love it very much.
• It is true that he will come very soon.

Note: In the above sentences, the bold mark words are pronouns of things.

Kinds of personal pronoun.

Personal pronoun is of three kinds. Such as;

• Personal pronoun of first person.
• Personal pronoun of second person.
• Personal pronoun of third person.

Personal pronoun of first person.

Generally, we use the following words as the personal pronoun of first person.
Such as; I, we, my, me, mine, us, our, ours etc.

Personal pronoun of second person.

Generally, we use the following words as the personal pronoun of second person.
Such as; you, your, yours, thou, thee, thine etc.

Personal pronoun of third person. 

Generally, we use the following words as the personal pronoun of third person.
Such as; He, she, him, his, her, hers, they, them, their, theirs etc.

Characteristics of Personal Pronoun.

Generally, personal pronoun is changed according to number, person and case. The changes are shown in the following table;

Gender of personal pronoun.

Generally, according to personal pronoun of first and second person, gender is not changed. Example shown in the table below;

But generally gender is changed according to third person. Example is shown in table below;

USE OF IT

Generally “It” is used for the following purposes.
For Inanimate objects.
Example:
I have written a letter and I want to send it to my father.

Explanation: 
In the above sentence “letter” is an inanimate object. But “It” is a pronoun of “letter” .

For inferior animals:
Example:
I have a dog and I love it very much.

Explanation:
In above sentence “dog” is an inferior animal. But “It” is a pronoun of dog.

For neuter gender like “baby/child”.
Example:
The baby/child is crying for its mother.

Explanation:
In above sentence “ baby/child” is a neuter gender. But “Its” is a pronoun of “baby/child”.

For preparatory/provisional subject.
Example:

• It is good to take exercise regularly.
• It is bad to tell a lie.
• It is true that he will come soon.

Explanation:
In the above sentences “It” is used as preparatory subject.  We generally use infinitive phrase or that clause after subject “It”. “to tell a lie” is an infinitive phrase and “ that he will come soon” is a “that clause”.

If we do not want to use “it” as subject, we can use “infinitive phrase” or “ That clause” as subject.
For example:

• To say so is wrong.
• That he will come soon is true.

Explanation:
In the above sentences “To say so” (infinitive phrase) and “That he will come soon” (that clause)” are used as subject.
v)   Sometimes “it” is used as provisional subject in a sentence:

For example:

• I find it unscrupulous to tell him everything.
• He thinks it fine to sacrifice.
• He thinks that it is fine to sacrifice.

Explanation:
In above sentences “it” is used as provisional subject.

• Sometimes “it” is used to repeat the previous speech again.

For example:

• He called me but I did not know it.

Explanation:

• In above sentence “it” is used to repeat “his calling”.

Sometimes “it” is used for emphasis.

For example: 

• You have done it.
• It is you who have done it.

Explanation:
In sentence b) “it” is used for emphasis “you”.

Sometimes “it” is used in a sentence as cognate object.

For example:

• We will have to walk the way.
  or We will have to walk it.
• They will have to fight the fight.
  or They will have to fight it.
• He dreamt the dream.
  or He dreamt it.

Explanation:
In above sentences the bold mark “it” is used as cognate object instead of cognate object “the way”, “the fight” and “the dream”.

Sometimes “it” is used as impersonally where there is no object in a sentence.

For example:

• It rains.
• It is very cold today.
• It is twelve O’clock.

Explanation:
In above sentences “It” is used as impersonally where there is no subject specifically in the sentences.

Some rules regarding the use of personal pronouns.

A
Two or more than two singular noun or pronouns are joined by “and” then the pronoun used later on becomes plural.

For example:

• Rabu and Babu went to their class teacher.
• He and his friend will do their home tasks.

Explanation:

• In sentence i) The pronoun “their” is used instead of “Rabu and Babu”.
• In sentence ii) The pronoun “their” is used instead of “ He and his friend”.
• “Their “ is a possessive pronoun.

B
If two singular nouns of same person are joined by “and”  then the pronoun used later on becomes singular.

For example:

• The secretary and lawyer are walking to his office.

Explanation:
In above sentence “The secretary and lawyer” is same person. That’s why the possessive pronoun has become his (singular) instead of their (plural)..

If the person is not same, then the possessive pronoun becomes plural.

Example:
The secretary and the lawyer are walking to their office.
Explanation:  “The secretary and the lawyer “are separate person. So “their” is used.

C
As we know if two or more singular nouns are joined by “and”, then possessive pronoun becomes plural. But if “each” / “every” is used before those singular nouns, then the possessive pronoun becomes singular.

For example:

• Every student and every teacher should do his/her duties properly.
• Each worker and each supervisor will get fifty taka for his/her one-hour overtime work.

Explanation:

• In sentence i) “every” is used before noun student and teacher. That’s why possessive pronoun has become singular. That’s his/her.
• In sentence ii) “each” is used before noun “worker and supervisor”. That’s why possessive pronouns have become singular. That’s his/her

D
If two or more singular nouns are joined by “either……….or / neither…………..nor” , then the possessive pronoun becomes singular.

For example:

• Either he or his brother will bring his dog.
• Neither Biva nor Shuvo has done her duty.

Explanation: In above sentences “his” and “her” are possessive pronoun used as singular.

Note: But if the second noun becomes plural, then the possessive pronoun becomes plural.

For example:
Either he or his brothers will bring their dogs.

Explanation: In the above sentence, the noun “his brothers” follows the possessive pronoun plural. That’s “their”.

E
If pronoun or noun of first person, second person and third person are used in a sentence according to order second person (2) + third person (3) + first person (1) that means in a nutshell 231-order.

For example:
Incorrect: He, I and you went there. –(order-312)
Correct: You, he and I went there. –( order-231)

Incorrect: Rahim and you did it. – (order-32)
Correct: You and Rahim did it. –( order-23, first person-1 is absent )

Incorrect: I and his brother heard it. –( order-13)
Correct: His brother and I heard it. – (order-31, second person is absent)

Note: But in case of confessing 123-order is used.

For example:
Incorrect: You, he and I are to blame. – ( 231-order)
Correct: I, you and he are to blame. – (123-order)

Incorrect: Ram and you are guilty. –( 32-order)
Correct: You and Ram are guilty. – ( 23-order, first person-1 is absent)

Incorrect: Chandan and I are responsible for this fault. ( 31-order)
Correct: I and Chandan are responsible for this fault. –( 13-order, second person-2 is absent).

F
+ and + (2)/(3) = (1) follows plural that means pronoun of second/third person is used with pronoun of first person then the possessive pronoun becomes plural of first person.

For example:
Incorrect: You (2) and I (1) have prepared your home tasks.
Correct: I (1) and you (2) have prepared our home works.

Incorrect: You, Rahim and I started their work.
Correct: I , You and Rahim started our work.

Note: Again (3) + (2) is used then (2) is plural that means possessive pronoun of second person becomes plural.

For example:
Incorrect: He (3) and you (2) are doing their works.
Correct: He and you are doing your works.

Incorrect: Shuva and you went to see our garden.
Correct: Shuva and you went to see your garden.

Possessive of interest.

Example:

• I love my country.
• Our homeland is, as it were, the heaven.
• I want to see my captain.

Explanation:
In the above sentences my, our are possessive pronouns. But these also are called possessive of interest.

Emphatic possessive.

“Own” is an emphatic possessive. The use of own is shown below:

For example:

• He is my own brother.
• He is your own brother.
• He is their own brother.

Explanation:
“Own’ used in the above sentences are called emphatic possessive.

Interrogative pronouns

Definition of interrogative pronoun: An interrogative pronoun is a word which asks question to know something.  Who, which, what are the interrogative pronouns.

For example:

• Who are you?
• Which pen do you want?
• What do you want?

Explanation:
Who, which, what used in the above sentences are called the interrogative pronoun.

Interrogative pronoun and case.

As we know, who, which, what are the interrogative pronouns. But only who among the pronouns is changed according to case.
Different form of “who” according to case is shown below;

Nominative case = who
Objective case = whom
Possessive case = whose
For example:

• Who are you?
• Whom do you love?
• Whose pen is this?

Explanation:

• Who is a nominative case
• Whom is an objective case.
• Whose is a possessive case.

Uses of who, which and what.

A

• Use of “Who” as subject.
  For example:
• Who is he?
• Who are they?
• Use of “Who” as object.

For example:

• Who (whom) do you want? –(Singular)
• Who (whom) are they looking for? –(Plural)
  Note: In modern English “who” is used instead of “whom” in maximum time.

B
Use of which:
For example:

• For Singular = Which pen do you want?
• For plural = Which of these pens do you want?

C
Use of “what”:

• In case of objects:

For example:

• For singular = What will you eat?
• For plural =  What are the factors that should be considered.

In case of profession.
For example:
What is he?
Note:

• “What is he?” is used to know someone’s profession.
• “Who is he?” is used to know someone’s identity.
• “Which is he?” is used to know someone from many.

Use of “what”, “which” as adjectives.

For example:

• Which pen is yours?
• What factors should be considered?

Explanation: In above sentences “Which” and “What” are used as adjective.
Note: “Which” can be used as pronoun.
For example:
Which of these pens is yours?

Explanation:
In above sentence “Which” is used as pronoun.
For exclamation:
For example:

• What! Has he failed?
• What a fool you are!

Explanation:
In above sentences “What” acts as exclamation.

Distributive Pronoun.

Definition of Distributive pronoun: A distributive pronoun is a word which separates one person or thing from a population of persons or things. Such as;  each, either, neither, either…….or, neither…….nor etc.

For example:

• Each of the students has applied for the football match.
• Each of the men and women is bound to obey the law.
• Either of the two boys is talent.
• Neither of the two boys is talent.
• The two brothers went to the town; either of them has been to the town.
• The two brothers did not go to the town; neither has been to the town.
• There are two pens; either is good.
• There are two pens; neither is good.
• Neither he nor his brother has done it.
• Either this pen or that pen was bought from London.

Note-1:

• Each of + noun/pronoun (plural)………….Here, “Each” acts as pronoun.
• Each + singular noun…………Here, “Each” acts as adjective.
• Neither + noun/pronoun……….nor + noun/pronoun and either + noun/pronoun……….or + noun/pronoun……………Here, Neither…….nor / either……….or acts as a conjunction.
• Neither / either + noun…………..Here, neither/either acts as adjective.
• Neither / either +of + noun/pronoun…………..Here, neither/either acts as distributive pronoun.
• Bare either/neither acts as subject but in fact it acts as pronoun.
• Neither he nor his brother has done it………..Here, neither…..nor acts as conjunction.
• Either this pen or that pen was bought from London……..Here, either…….or acts as conjunction.
• There are two pens here; either is good……..Here, either acts as pronoun.
• There are two pens here; either pen will do………Here, either acts as adjective, because it qualifies pen (noun).
• There are two ways to do this; you can use either……..Here, either acts as pronoun.

Note-2:
Normally either/neither is used for two persons or things. But if it is used for more than two, then anyone or none is used.

For example:

• There are three dogs here; none of them is ferocious.
• There are many people here; any one of them can do it.

Demonstrative  Pronoun.

Definition of Demonstrative Pronoun: Demonstrative pronouns are the words; such as this, that, these, those, such, so, the same etc. are used instead of some nouns to point to it or them are called demonstrative pronouns.

Use of this, that, these, those as pronouns.

• Singular           Plural
  This                      These
  That                      Those

To indicate something nearest, “This” (Plural-These) is used. On the contrary, to indicate something far “That” (Those) is used.

For example:

• This is my book and that is yours.
• These are my books and those are yours.

Note:
This / that/ these/those + noun
This rule is used while this/that/these/those etc are used as adjectives.
For example:

• This man is good……..Here “This” is used as adjective.
• This is a good man…….Here “This” is used as pronoun.

II)  If two nouns are used in the 1st clause/sentence, then to indicate each of those nouns “this” and “that” are used.
For example:

• Men and money are both needed. This gives strength and that gives wealth.

III) To indicate noun/clause used before, then “this / that” are used.
For example:

• He went to market on foot and this/that him tired……..Here this/that means “his going to market.”
• This book is more costly than that………Here “that” means “that book”.

IV) To give emphasis “this/that” are used.
For example:

• He went there on foot……Here, it is normal sentence.
  He went there and that on foot……Here “that” is used to give emphasis.
• He must repay the loan within two days…..Here it is normal sentence.
  He must repay the loan and that within two days…….Here “that” is used to give emphasis.

Note:
We also can use “ It is only then that” +…………/ “It is for this reason that “+………..

• I requested much but he would not help me. I addressed him as my brother and then he helped me.
  ……………..and it was only then that he helped me……….(Emphasis is given on “then”)
• Then I understood the problem.
  It was only then that I understood the problem……..(Emphasis is given on then).
• For this reason he could not pass.
  It is for this reason that he could not pass……..( Emphasis is given on “reason”).

V)  To avoid repeating of noun in a sentence “that”/”those” is used.

For example:

• Incorrect: The rice of Barisal is finer than the rice of Khulna.
• Correct: The rice of Barisal is finer than that of Khulna.
• Incorrect: The streets of Khulna are not wider than the streets of Dhaka.
  Correct: The streets of Khulna are not wider than those of Dhaka.
• Incorrect: The climate of Cox’s Bazar is better than the climate of Dhaka.
  Correct: The climate of Cox’s Bazar is better than that of Dhaka.

Use of “Such”.
For example:

• He was a doctor and we believed him to be as such.
• You are gentle persons and should act as such.
  Note: On the contrary, “such” is used as adjective or adverb. It will be discussed later on.

Use of the same.
Sometimes “the same” is used as demonstrative pronoun adding as.
For example:

• He did the same as we (we did).
• Rahim will do the same as Karim (Karim will do).

Relative Pronoun.

Definition of Relative Pronoun: The relative pronoun is that pronoun which refers to some nouns or pronouns previously mentioned and at the same time join two sentences. Such as;  who, which, that, what, but, as etc.
For example:

• I know the man. He lost his bag.
  • I know the man who lost his bag.
• I have lost the book. You gave me.
  • I have lost the book which you gave me.

Use of different pronouns:

Use of “who”:
For example:

• This is a man.  I saw him yesterday.
  • This is the man whom I saw yesterday.

Note: “Whom” is a objective pronoun of “who”. “who” indicates only pronoun not object.

• The man came here yesterday. He is my brother.
  • The man who came here yesterday is my brother.

Use of “Which” :

For example:
# In case of baby:

• This is a baby.  The baby cried for its mother.
  • This is the baby which cried for its mother.

# In case of non-living bodies:

• This is my table. I bought it last month.
  • This is my table which I bought last month.

# In case of beasts /animals:

• I have a cow. It gives a calf every year.
  • I have a cow which gives a calf every year.

Note: The “which” is used in case of baby, non-living body and beasts/animals.
Use of “that”:
For example:
# In case of “person” :

• This is a patient. He was taken to hospital.
  • This is the patient that was taken to hospital.

# In case of “object”:

• This is a table. I bought it yesterday.
  • This is the table that I bought yesterday.
• There are books. I borrowed them yesterday.
  • There are books that I borrowed yesterday.

Use of “what”:
For example:

• I understood. He said something.
  • I understood what he said. – (Here “what” is used instead of “something”).
• He made it. I bought it.
  • He made it what I bought. – (– (Here “what” is used instead of “it”).
• Listen to it. He says something.
  • Listen to what he says. – (Here “what” is used instead of “it” /”something” ).

Note: Generally the “what” is used instead of objects. Remind it, “what = that which” can be used.

Use of “but”:
For example:

• There is no mother who does not love her child.
  • There is no mother but loves her child. – ( Here “but” is used instead of “who does not”).
• There is no man who does not wish to be happy.
  • There is no man but wishes to be happy. – ( Here “but” is used instead of “who does not”).

Note: Normally “but” is used as conjunction. But sometimes it (but)  is used as  pronoun. Here “but” is used instead of “who”.
Use of “As” :
“As” is used as the relative pronoun following the structures given below;
Structure-1:  …….such + noun + as + ……….
Structure-2 : ………the same + noun + as + ……….
Structure-3 : ….as + adjective + as +……..
Structure-4 : …….so + adjective + as + ……….
For example:

• He needs such a boy as (who) will be honest. – ( structure-1).
• We need such people as (who) will vote for us. – (structure-1)
• The book is the same book as that. – ( structure-2)
• He is as tall as I .- ( structure-3)
• She is not so beautiful as her sister. –(structure-4).

Use of “who” and “which” :
For example:
# For restrictive use:

• The man who came here is good.
• The pen which I bought is missing.

Note: In above sentences the bold mark clause is an adjective clause. Keep in mind, if any clause starts with “who” or “which” then it is called adjective clause.

Continuative use of “who” and “which”:
For example:

• I went to Rahim. Rahim told me a story. The story was fine.
  • I went to Rahim who told me a story which was fine.

Note: In above sentence “who” and “which” are used as continuative.
For adverbial use:
For example:

• The thief was punished. He stole the money.
  • The thief was punished because he stole the money.
  • The thief because he stole the money was punished.
  • The thief who stole the money was punished.

Note: Here “because he =  who.  “who” means “cause.

• The book was sold. It was old.
  • The book was sold because it was old.
  • The book which was old was sold.

Note: Here, because it = which.

• I will appoint a man.  He will do the work.
  • I will appoint a man for the purpose that he will do the work.
  • I will appoint a man who will do the work.

Note: Here, for the purpose that = who, “who” means purpose.
Keep in mind: If “who” and “which” are used for “cause” or “purpose” then their (who/which) uses are called adverbial uses. The sentence / clause that starts with who/which  (that means “cause” or “purpose”)  is called adverbial clause.

Use of “that” : (“That” is used only for restriction).
For example:
# With superlative degree:
Structure: ………..adjective (sup.) + Noun + that + S + ever + verb

• He is the most intelligent boy that I have ever seen.
• It was the biggest bird that was ever caught.

# Structures used of “that”.
Str. a = ………the same + Noun + that +………….
Str. b = ……….the only + Noun + that +…………..
Str. c = ………..any + Noun + that + …………..
Str. d = …….all + Noun + that + …………..
Str. e = ………..the one  + Noun + that +………..
For example:
Str. a= This is the same house that my father sold last year.
Str. b = He is only the teacher that can teach us English.
Str. c = I will give it to any boy that can sing well.
Str. d = I did not get all the money that I needed.
Str. e = The one book that can be read for this topic is this one.

#  Use of “that” after who, what, which. Such as ;
Structures:

• who…………..that ……………?
• what………..that……………..?
• which………..that……………?
  For example:
• Who is the man that says so.
• What is it that you conceal from me?
• Which is the pen that you like most?

#  Use of “that” according to following structures:

• All…………….that….
• Everything………that….
• Any…….that……
• None……….that…….
• No………..that….
• Nothing………..that…….
• Nobody……….that…..
• Much……….that……
• Little………….that…….
  For example:
• All that glitters is not gold.
• Everything that you want is available in the market.
• Any book that you need you can buy from book fair.
• None of them that won the prizes were present in prize giving ceremony.
• There is no possibility that the patient will come round.
• Nothing is good that they have done.
• Nobody is ready to do the work that you want.
• Much money that you need you can get.
• Little water will not serve the purpose that you desire.

# “who” is used for men and “which” is used for materials. On the contrary “that” can be used for both men and materials.
For example:
Incorrect:  Men and materials who/which were affected during flood were taken away to a safer place.
Correct: Men and materials that were affected during flood were taken away to a safer place.

# Use of “that” after ordinal numeral adjective.
For example:
Rina was the third girl that won the prize.
Note: First, second, third etc. are called ordinal numeral adjectives.

#  Use of “As” and “So”.
Structures:

• ………..such + Noun + as…………….
• ………..the same + Noun + as/that……….

For example:
a = I want such boys as are honest.
b= This is the same book that / as you gave me.
Incorrect:  He wants such a wife who will love him.
Correct: He wants such a wife as will love him.

Incorrect: This is the same pencil like that.
Correct: This is the same pencil as that.
# Use of the as……..as and so………as :
Structures:
a = ………..as + adjective + as + Noun / Pronoun / Noun phrase.
b = ………..so + adjective + as + Noun / Pronoun / Noun phrase.
For example:
a = He is as strong as his brother.
b = She is not so beautiful as her sister.

More examples:
Karim: Do you think that he will pass?
Rahim : Yes, I think so.
Note: Here “so” is used instead of “that he will pass”.  After the verb “think” –“so” is used to represent the clause “that he will pass”.

Accordingly for the verbs hope, desire, suppose, expect, and believe we can use “so”.

For example:
Shampa: Do you believe that she is a thief?
Rumpa: No, I do not believe so.

Here , so = that she is a thief.

Mitul: Do you hope that she will be successful in life?
Titul: Yes, I hope so.

Here, so= that she will be successful in life.

#  Use of antecedent.
Antecedent: Nouns/pronouns which are used before relative pronouns are called antecedents.

For example:

• The farmers who are poor have applied for loan.
• He who came here yesterday is my brother.
• The pencil which I bought from the market yesterday is missing.
• Those who came here are my friends.

For more example:

Incorrect: I have read Shelley’s poems who was a great poet.
Correct: I have read poems of Shelley who was a great poet.

# According to number and person of antecedent “verb” is used after relative pronoun.

For example:

• Incorrect: It is I who is guilty.
  Correct: It is I who am guilty.

# A clause cannot be antecedent of relative pronoun.

For example:

• Incorrect: You failed in the exam. which shocked your father.
  Correct: You failed in the exam. and that shocked your father.

Note: “and this”, “and it” can be used instead of “and that”.

Omission of Relative Pronoun.

For example:

• I have lost the money that you gave me.
  • I have lost the money you gave me. – ( Here, “that” is omitted).
• He is the man whom I saw then.
  • He is the man I saw then. – ( Here, “whom” is omitted).
• This is the pen that you offered me.
  • This is the pen you offered me. –( Here, “that” is omitted).
• I heard everything that you said.
  • I heard everything you said. –( Here, “that” is omitted).

Note: In case of obligation, use of omission of relative pronoun.

For example:

• I have a student whom  I must teach.
  • I have a student to teach.- (Here, “whom” is omitted including I must ).
• I have a lot of work which I must do.
  • I have a lot of work to do. – ( Here, “which” is omitted including I must ).
• She has many books which she has to read.
  • She has many books to read. – ( Here, “which” is omitted including she has ).

Reciprocal Pronoun.

Definition of Reciprocal Pronoun: The pronouns which are used in case of reciprocal relation in a sentence is called Reciprocal Pronoun. Such as ; each other, one another etc are reciprocal pronouns.

For example:

• Mina and Sultana love each other very much.
• Mina, Dina and Sultana love one another very much.

Note:
Eachother = wrong, ……………Each other = right.  Oneanother = wrong……………One another = right.  That means “each” and “other” will remain separate. Accordingly “one” and “another” will remain separate.

Reciprocal pronoun can be used as possessive.
For example:

• Mita and Rita often use each other’s phone.

In case of two persons / things “each other” is used. On the contrary, in case of more than two persons/things “one another is used”.

Note: Exception in case of “they”.
For example:

• Nita and Rita are two friends. They love each other very much.
• Nita, Rita and Mita are friends. They love one another very much.

Note: “they” can be used for both two and more than two persons/things.

Reflexive and Emphatic Pronouns.

Reflexive Pronoun :
# Definition of Reflexive Pronoun: A Reflexive pronoun is one used in the objective case in which the meaning of subject is reflected, indicating that the action of the sentence turns back to the subject.

For example:

• She killed herself.
• You fan yourself.
• He hurt himself.
• God helps them who help themselves.
  Note:
• In above sentences the bold marked words are Reflexive pronouns.
• She=herself, You=yourself, He=himself, Them = themselves. Here subject and objective case are mirrors of each other.
• There are nine reflexive pronouns. Such as; myself, himself, herself, ourselves, yourself, yourselves, themselves, itself, oneself.
• Self/ selves join with possessive pronoun of objective case.

# Structure of Reflexive Pronouns with forms;

Note: Indefinite pronoun “one” can be used as reflexive pronoun by adding “self”.

# Use of Reflexive Pronouns:

• Use as indirect object:

For example:

• He gave himself a dose of the medicine.

Note: Here, “himself” is an indirect object because “He” is living body. On the contrary,  “ a dose of the medicine” is direct object because “a dose of the medicine” is non-living body.  Keep in mind, all living bodies = indirect objects and all no-living bodies =direct objects.

• Use as prepositional object.

For example:

• He said to himself.
• She looked at herself.
• We did it by ourselves.

Note: In above sentences the bold marked words are reflexive pronouns with prepositions. “Preposition” is used before Reflexive pronouns.

• Some verbs are used with Reflexive pronouns.

Structures:
Str.-1 = ……….avail + reflexive pronoun + of + ……..
Str.-2 = ………..absent + reflexive pronoun + from + ………
Str.-3 = ……….pride + reflexive pronoun + on + ……….
Str.-4 = ………plume + reflexive pronoun + on + ……….

For example:
Str.-1 = He availed himself of the opportunity.
Str.-2 = She absented herself from the meeting.
Str.-3 = Don’t pride yourself on your wealth.
Str.-4 = She plumes herself on her beauty.

# Caution.

• No reflexive pronoun can be subject of verb.

For example:
Incorrect: You and myself went there.
Correct= You and I went there.

Incorrect: His father and himself did it.
Correct: His father and he did it.

• No reflexive pronoun is used after “feel” and “keep”.

For example:
Incorrect: I feel myself happy.
Correct: I feel happy.

Incorrect: He keeps himself away from bad companies.
Correct: He keeps away from bad companies.

Emphatic Pronoun:

# Definition of Emphatic Pronoun: This is such pronoun that is used after a noun or pronoun to add an emphasis on it is called “Emphatic Pronoun”.

Note:

• Emphatic pronoun is used after noun / pronoun on which emphasis is given.
• The structure and form of Reflexive pronoun and emphatic pronoun are same. Reflexive pronoun is used as object and emphatic pronoun is used to give emphasis on noun / pronoun.
• Sometimes emphatic pronoun is used away from the word on which emphasis is given.

For Example:

• (You) Take care of yourself.
• I want to see it for myself.
• She wanted a pen for herself.

Note: In above sentences the bold words are used away from the word on which emphasis is given.

• Sometimes “ownself” and “ownselves” are used to give emphasis noun/pronoun in a sentence.

or example:

• I bought it for my ownself.
• People should not always think of their ownselves.

Note:
Here, possessive case = my, their  which are used with reflexive pronoun ‘ownself” and “ownselves”.
“ownself” = singular and “ownselves” = Plural.

Indefinite Pronouns.

Definition of Indefinite Pronoun: The pronoun which refers to any persons or things indefinitely or in general is called Indefinite Pronoun.
Such as;  some, many, any, they, none, everybody, somebody, anybody, nobody, everyone, someone, anyone, none, no one, nothing etc.

For example:

• Some say that Mr. Brown is a scientist.
• Many saw the accident.
• Any of  them will go there.
• They believe that Almighty Allah exists.
• None can do it.
• Everybody wants to be happy in life.
• Nothing is impossible.

Note: In above sentences the bold marked words are indefinite pronouns. These are all indefinite pronouns because they do not refer to anybody or anything definitely.

# Use of Indefinite Pronouns.

i) Uses of indefinite pronoun in Interrogative sentences:

For example:

• Did any of them go?
• Did many of them see the accident?

Uses of indefinite pronouns in Negative sentences.

For example:

• Kamal: Do you have a pen?
• Karim: No, I don’t have any.

Note:
# If structure (any+Noun) is used then “any” will be adjective.
For example:

• Any man can do it. – (Here, “any” is an adjective).

# If structure ( any+ of + Noun –Plural) is used then “any” will be indefinite pronoun.
For example:

• Any of the books you can buy. – (Here, “any” is an indefinite pronoun.

# If “any” is used as subject or object then “any” will be indefinite pronoun.
For example:

• Mita : Have you solved the problems?
  Rita: No, I have not solved any.-( Here, “any” is used as object).
• Any of them is allowed to go there. – ( Here, “any” is used as subject).

Note: “Any” can be used as both singular and plural.

(b)  Use of “some”.
Note: “some” is used only for plural. On the contrary, “some” is also used as adjective as singular.

For example:

• Use Instead of persons.

For example:

• There are many students here; some are from class nine and the rest of them are from class ten.

Note: In the above sentence “some” is used instead of persons (students).

• Use instead of things.

For example:

• There are many tables here.  Some are new and some are old.

Note: When (some+noun) is used then “some” is adjective.
For example:

• Some people are dishonest. – ( Here, “some” is adjective).

Note: When (some + verb) is used then “some” is indefinite pronoun.
For example:

• Some are happy. Some are unhappy. –( Here, “some” is indefinite pronoun as subject and “are” is verb.
• Belal: Will you buy books today?
  Helal: Oh yes, I will buy some. –( Here, “some” is indefinite pronoun used instead of books and also used as object.

(c) Use of “One”.
i) Note: “One” is used in the form of nominative, objective and possessive case in a sentence.

For example:

• One should respect one’s mother. – ( Here, “one” is nominative case and “one’s” is possessive case.
• One should not lose heart in danger. – ( Here, “One” is nominative case).

More examples:
Incorrect: One does not know when he will die.
Correct: One does not know when one will die.

Incorrect: One should do his duty.
Correct: One should do one’s duty.

Incorrect: One should not waste his time.
Correct: One should not waste one’s time.

Note:
* “One’s” is a possessive case.
* According American English “his” is used after “one” as possessive case.
Example: One should not waste his time. _ ( It is correct sentence according to American English).

ii) Use of “One” as indefinite numerical pronoun.
For example:

• Those mangoes are green; these mangoes are ripe.
  • Those mangoes are green; these are ripe ones.
• This pencil is not good. I want a good pencil.
  • This pencil is not good. I want a good one.

Note: “One” = singular and “Ones” = plural.

• When structure (No/every/each + one) is used then ‘his” is used after “one”.

For example:
Incorrect: There are sixty boys in the class. Each one has done one’s home task.
Correct: There are sixty boys in the class. Each one has done his home task.

• When structure ( one +of+ Noun plural ) is used then his/her is used instead of possessive case “one’s”.

For example:
Incorrect: One of the boys has done one’s homework.
Correct: One of the boys has done his homework.

Note: Singular verb is used after structure ( one + of + Noun plural) that means the structure will be like ( one + of + Noun plural +verb).
For example:
Incorrect: One of the five men have said this.
Correct: One of the five men has said this.

Incorrect: One of the girls work in the factory.
Correct: One of the girls works in the factory.

Incorrect: She is one of my sister.
Correct: She is one of my sisters.

Incorrect: One of my friends have said this.
Correct: One of my friends has said this.

Note: No one = None ; both are used as singular and plural. These are also used in both countable and uncountable nouns.

For example:

• They are five friends there, but none can play well. –( Countable noun singular).
• None but the honest (all the honest persons) deserve the prize. – ( Countable noun plural)
• Rahim: Can you give me some water?
  Selim: Oh sorry, I have none. –( Uncountable noun , singular number).

d)     Use of “other”.
Note: “other” is used for persons and on the contrary “other things”, “other places” are used for things.  “Other” mean other persons.
For example:

• Sixty people went there; I met twenty of them. Others were not present there. –(Here, “others” means rest of the people).

More example:
Incorrect: He has bought a pen, a book, a pencil and others.
Correct: He has bought a pen, a book, a pencil and other things.

Incorrect: I have been to Canada, New York, London and others.
Correct: I have been to Canada, New York, London and other places.

Use of “they”.

Note: “they” is an indefinite pronoun,  On the contrary “they” means “persons”.

For example:

• They say I am dead.
• They believe man becomes ghost after death.

Use of “many”.

Note:  Generally “many” is used as plural.
For example:

• Hundreds of people tried to climb on Everest but many (many people) have failed.
• Many are called but few are chosen.

Use of “few”.

Note: Generally “few” is used as plural.
For example:

• Many are called but few are chosen.

“The End”
Learn More about the parts of speech.