Some pronouns are definite in that they replace a specific noun or another pronoun. But sometimes things aren’t so clear-cut. We don’t need to refer to anything or anyone definite. So what do we do for a pronoun? In those cases we use indefinite pronouns. What are Indefinite Pronouns? As the name suggests indefinite pronouns are pronouns that are not definite in meaning. In other words they are not specific in which noun they replace. They may be singular or plural, and must match the verb in number. There are two categories of indefinite pronouns. The first category includes pronouns that refer to a nonspecific noun. These pronouns are: anybody anyone anything everybody everyone everything nobody none no one nothing somebody someone something Example: Anything is possible if you believe. The second category of indefinite pronouns are those that point to a specific noun whose meaning is easily understood only because it was previously mentioned or because the words that follow the indefinite pronoun make it clear. These pronouns are: all another any both each either few many neither one some several Examples: Many are planning to attend the party. (In this case the identity of the group that is going to the party would have already been mentioned.) Would you like to try some of these cookies? (The word cookies makes it clear what some is referring to.) Not to confuse you but keep in mind the pronouns in this group can function as adjectives if nouns directly follow them. More Examples: Many classmates are planning to attend the party. I checked out some books from the library. Singular and Plural Indefinite Pronouns As mentioned previously indefinite pronouns may be singular or plural and the verb has to match in number. Below is the list of singular indefinite pronouns. Another Anybody Anyone Anything Each Either Everybody Everyone Everything Neither Nobody No one Nothing One Somebody Something Someone Examples: There are three groups of participants, and each has its own requirements. Someone special is about to arrive. The following are plural indefinite pronouns: Both Few Many Several Examples: Few of the projects were good enough to go to the science fair. Several of the documents were filled with errors. Some indefinite pronouns may be singular or plural. It all depends on the noun it stands for. These pronouns include all, any, either, none, some, more, most. The rule states that when these pronouns are followed by a prepositional phrase, the pronoun must agree in number with the object of the preposition. The verb in the sentence must agree in number with the antecedent. Sound confusing? Here are two examples: Most of the work is finished. Most of the books are out of date. In this case work requires a singular verb and books requires a plural verb. Examples of Indefinite Pronouns Does anybody have the time? All are welcome to our house for Thanksgiving. Tim doesn’t have any. Michael passed his card to another. Each brought a dessert to share. Anyone can see what’s going on here. Alice couldn’t hear anything at the concert. Everything is going as planned Everyone clapped when the movie ended. Many missed the bus. No one admitted to knocking over the base. One could see the tornado forming from miles away. Several turned out for the concert. Somebody rang the doorbell. Holly gave her ticket to someone. To sum it all up, use indefinite pronouns when the noun substitute doesn’t have to be definite in meaning. Remember that they can be singular or plural in the corresponding verbs must match the number.
A subjective pronoun is used as the subject of a sentence in place of a person’s or thing’s name or description, particularly after the subject has already been introduced. Subject pronouns include: I, we, you, he, she, it, they An objective pronoun is used in place of a person or thing that is acted upon or receives the action of the verb in a sentence. When the pronoun is the object of a prepositional phrase, it will always use an object pronoun. Object pronouns include: me, us, you, him, her, them A possessive pronoun shows that something belongs to someone or something. Possessive pronouns include: mine, yours, ours, hers, his, their. Pronoun Case Subjective I You He She It We They Who Possessive Mine Yours His Hers Its Ours Theirs Whose Objective Me You Him Her It Us Them Whom
Personal, Subjective, Objective, and Possessive Pronouns.
A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun or another pronoun. A personal pronoun refers to a specific noun that is named elsewhere in the text. A subjective pronoun is the subject of the sentence. An objective pronoun is the object. It receives the action of the verb. In this sentence, we is subjective and him is objective: We waited for him. Possessive pronouns show ownership. http://usatestprep.com/movies/582/3053/953 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSiy2Or9ML8 http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/what-are-pronouns-types-examples-definition.html#lesson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWnc1HSCvRY If the reader can't tell which word(s) a pronoun refers to (the antecedent), that makes a vague pronoun reference. Pronouns (pro meaning "for") stand in for nouns, keeping writing succinct and less repetitive. What a pronoun replaces has to be easy for the reader to see. Pronouns also establish the point of view of the narrator. If the reader can't tell which word(s) a pronoun refers to (the antecedent), that makes a vague pronoun reference. Pronouns (pro meaning "for") stand in for nouns, keeping writing succinct and less repetitive. What a pronoun replaces has to be easy for the reader to see. Pronouns also establish the point of view of the narrator. · First person (I, we voice): The first-person point of view lets the narrator be a central part of the story, allowing readers to feel the immediacy of events and feelings. · Second person (you voice): The second-person point of view involves the reader in the story or article almost conversationally, as an accomplice, as part of the thinking or judgment. Using the you-point-of-view is hard to pull off in longer pieces. (See Loser by Spinelli). · Third person (he, she, it, they voice): The third-person point of view can give the reader a sense that the writer is removed from his or her subject. In nonfiction, the third-person point of view helps the writer maintain objectivity. In fiction, the third-person omniscient allows the author to see inside all characters' thoughts without being a character in the story. Third-person limited allows the author to see inside only one character's thoughts. When writing about a memory that is difficult, sometimes shifting to third-person observation allows writers to get the writing down, and it may be a better way to tell an important story. |