Pronoun

A pronoun is a word that accompanies or replaces a noun, indicating its position in relation to the people of the discourse or situating it in space and time. Pronouns replace or accompany nouns and can function as substantive pronouns (when replacing the noun) or adjective pronouns (when accompanying it).

Classification of Pronouns

1. Personal

Nominative Case: Used as the subject of the sentence.

Singular: I, you, he, she

Plural: we, you, they

Examples:

I like to read books in my spare time.

She left for an important meeting this morning.

We are going to the movies next weekend.

Oblique Case: Can be unstressed or stressed and function as verbal or nominal complements.

Unstressed Oblique: me, you, him, her, it, us, them

Examples:He called me to the party yesterday.I didn't see you at last week's meeting.She invited us to dinner at her house.

Stressed Oblique: me, with me; you, with you; oneself, with oneself; us, with us; you, with you; themselves, with themselves

Examples:He brought a present for me.The teacher explained everything to you before the test.

2. Possessive

Indicate possession, relating to the people of discourse.

Singular: my, your, his, her, its, our, your

Plural: my, your, his, her, its, our, your

Examples:This is my dog, his name is Rex.Your work was praised by the teacher.Our holiday plans include a trip to the beach.

3. Demonstrative

Indicate the position of something in relation to the people of discourse in space, time, or text.

This, these: Refer to something close to the speaker.

That, those: Refer to something close to the person being spoken to.

That, those (yonder): Refer to something distant from both people.

Examples:This book is very interesting for studying literature.I prefer that house in the countryside, it's more peaceful.That which you said makes no sense.

4. Relative Pronouns

Refer to an antecedent term, establishing a relationship between two clauses.

• Invariable: that, who, where, how, when

• Variable: which, whom; whose; how much, how many

Examples:The city where I was born is beautiful.The books that I bought are interesting.I met the teacher whose class I admire.

5. Indefinite Pronouns

Refer to beings in a vague or generic way.

• Invariable: someone, nobody, nothing, everything, something, each, more, less, others

• Variable: some, none, all, other(s), many, few, certain, several, so many, any

Examples:Someone left the door open.Everyone is invited to the meeting.No solution was found.

6. Interrogative Pronouns

Used in direct or indirect questions to formulate queries.

• Invariable: who, what

• Variable: which, how many/much

Examples:Who will come to the event?What is your opinion?How many books have you read?

7. Honorific Pronouns

Used to refer to people with respect or formality. Although they use third-person grammatical form, they agree with the second person in formal contexts.

• Your Excellency (Y. E.): General authorities (ministers, ambassadors, judges)

• Your Honor (Y. H.): Lower-ranking authorities, managers

• Your Magnificence (Y. Mag.): University chancellors

• Your Holiness (Y. H.): Pope

• Your Most Reverend (Y. Rev.): Bishops and high-ranking religious figures

Examples:Your Excellency has the floor.We would like Your Excellency to attend the ceremony.We inform Your Honor that the contract has been approved.It is our pleasure to invite Your Magnificence to the event.

Pronoun Agreement

Pronoun agreement consists of using pronouns that agree with the grammatical person they refer to.

• 1st person singular (I): me, myself, with me; my, mine

• 2nd person singular (You): you, yourself, with you; your, yours

• 3rd person singular (He/She/It): himself, herself, itself; him, her, it; his, her, hers, its

• 1st person plural (We): us, with us; our, ours

• 2nd person plural (You): you, yourselves; your, yours

• 3rd person plural (They): themselves; them; their, theirs

Examples:I brought my notebook.She found her friends.We are going with our parents.

Relative Pronouns: Usage and Substitution

Relative pronouns connect clauses and replace previously mentioned terms. To use relative pronouns correctly, follow these steps:

1. Substitution with "which," "who," "whom": used in formal contexts or to avoid ambiguity. Must agree in number with the antecedent.Examples:The book about which I spoke yesterday was published this month.The ideas to which we refer are innovative.The professor whom I met at the conference is a linguistics expert.
2. Use of "whose": expresses possession. Agrees with the following noun and doesn't take an article after it.Examples:The house whose facade was restored belongs to the city hall.The author whose books inspired the film is very renowned.The city whose streets are clean is an example for others.
3. The personal pronouns I and me have specific uses with prepositions. Use me after prepositions.Example:The task will be completed by me.
4. When the pronoun functions as a subject, use I.Examples:Bring the document for me to sign.Save a place for you to participate.
5. The pronouns he/she, they, we and you take their objective forms when preceded by prepositions.Examples:The gift was bought by them.We went out to dinner with them.The responsibility fell upon you.

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Note: Understanding and correctly using pronouns enriches communication, providing clarity and precision in conveyed messages.