Types of Personal Pronouns :Types of Personal Pronouns


WHO AND WHOM The relative pronouns: who whoever (subject forms) whom whomever (object forms) are often misunderstood. :WHO AND WHOM The relative pronouns: who whoever (subject forms) whom whomever (object forms) are often misunderstood.


Examples of correct usage: At whom did you throw the bouquet? – object of the preposition Who is the speaker at the banquet? – subject of the sentence I will choose whoever speaks up first. – subject of the dependent noun clause Sean slugged whomever he wanted. – direct object of the verb in the dependent noun clause :Examples of correct usage: At whom did you throw the bouquet? – object of the preposition Who is the speaker at the banquet? – subject of the sentence I will choose whoever speaks up first. – subject of the dependent noun clause Sean slugged whomever he wanted. – direct object of the verb in the dependent noun clause


POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS They do not need apostrophes because by definition they are already possessive. Nouns, by definition, are not possessive, so that’s why they need apostrophes. :POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS They do not need apostrophes because by definition they are already possessive. Nouns, by definition, are not possessive, so that’s why they need apostrophes.


Possessive pronouns are: his, her, hers, their, theirs, our, ours, its, your, yours, my, and mine. The most common error here consists of “it’s” used as a possessive. :Possessive pronouns are: his, her, hers, their, theirs, our, ours, its, your, yours, my, and mine. The most common error here consists of “it’s” used as a possessive.


REFLEXIVE PRONOUNS Reflexive pronouns are: myself, yourself, himself, herself, themselves, ourselves. There is no such word as “theirselves” and “myself” should never be used as a substitute for “I” or “me” in dual constructions. :REFLEXIVE PRONOUNS Reflexive pronouns are: myself, yourself, himself, herself, themselves, ourselves. There is no such word as “theirselves” and “myself” should never be used as a substitute for “I” or “me” in dual constructions.


Correct usage of reflexive pronouns: I will write the essay myself. – emphasis I myself will write the essay. I slipped and hurt myself. – direct objectIncorrect usage of reflexive pronouns: Please return the completed forms to either Bob or myself. Use “me” for object of preposition “to” Sharon and myself will lead the seminar. Use “I” for the subject of the sentence :Correct usage of reflexive pronouns: I will write the essay myself. – emphasis I myself will write the essay. I slipped and hurt myself. – direct objectIncorrect usage of reflexive pronouns: Please return the completed forms to either Bob or myself. Use “me” for object of preposition “to” Sharon and myself will lead the seminar. Use “I” for the subject of the sentence


AMBIGUOUS PRONOUN REFERENCE If a personal pronoun is used following multiple antecedents, the reader may be unsure which antecedent the pronoun is referring to. Demonstrative pronouns : this, that, these, those are often used in an ambiguous manner. :AMBIGUOUS PRONOUN REFERENCE If a personal pronoun is used following multiple antecedents, the reader may be unsure which antecedent the pronoun is referring to. Demonstrative pronouns : this, that, these, those are often used in an ambiguous manner.


The captain told his first officer that he could take leave next week. “He” is ambiguous because the reader may be unclear whether the pronoun refers to the captain or his first officer. Possible correction: The captain granted his first officer’s request for leave next week. The captain told his first officer that the officer could take leave next week. :The captain told his first officer that he could take leave next week. “He” is ambiguous because the reader may be unclear whether the pronoun refers to the captain or his first officer. Possible correction: The captain granted his first officer’s request for leave next week. The captain told his first officer that the officer could take leave next week.


This may be contributing to the increase in crime. (“This” is a demonstrative pronoun that might be referring to any number of causes. Specify them, or if they have been specified in a previous sentence, find a key word to repeat, “This negligence may be contributing to the increase in crime.” :This may be contributing to the increase in crime. (“This” is a demonstrative pronoun that might be referring to any number of causes. Specify them, or if they have been specified in a previous sentence, find a key word to repeat, “This negligence may be contributing to the increase in crime.”