Similar to our language, in English we also use terms to replace a noun or object in a sentence and avoid repeating the same word in speech or writing: pronouns. There are different classifications for them, and knowing what they are and how to use them is essential to developing your language skills.

The English pronoun is one of the first grammatical classes taught at the beginning of language learning. That's why CCAA has prepared a summary on the subject for you to consult whenever you need.

So, let's go!

First of all, what are pronouns?

The pronouns are words used to accompany/replace nouns or objects, with the function of replacing, resuming or referencing them.

If you are just starting out on your English language journey, read our post “English for Beginners: Where to Start?” and check out our tips!

Learn about the types of pronouns in English

The pronouns in English are classified according to the function they perform in the sentence, as:

• personal pronouns;
• reflexive pronouns;
• indefinite pronouns;
• possessive pronouns;
• demonstrative pronouns;
• reciprocal pronouns;
• interrogative pronouns;
• relative pronouns.

Personal pronouns in English: find out what they are

Personal pronouns, personal pronouns in English, are those who refer to people, places, or objects in a sentence. They are divided into two types: oblique pronouns and straight pronouns.

Straight pronouns – Subject pronouns

Replace the subject in a sentence, indicating the person of the speech.

Subject pronouns	Translation
I	I
You	You/You
He	He
She	She
It	He/she/it (animals and objects)
We	Us
You	You
They	They/Them (people, animals or objects)

Check out some examples with direct personal pronouns:

• I I am a writer. – I am a writer.
• She bought an apartment.– She bought an apartment.
• We will travel to the USA on our vacation. – We are going to travel to the USA on our vacation.

Oblique pronouns – Object pronouns

Oblique pronouns function as objects in sentences.

Object pronouns	Translation
Me	Me/me
You	Him/her/you/you
Him	him/her
Her	him/her
It	Him/her
Us	Us
You	You/them/you
Them	Him/them

See some examples of oblique personal pronouns applied in a sentence:

• Bring the computer to me, please. – Bring the computer to me, please.
• She married him when she was 25. – She married him when she was 25.
• I will send them a new book. – I will send them a new book.

Reflexive pronouns – Reflexive pronouns

Reflexive pronouns appear after the verb agreeing with the subject of the sentence or when the action falls on the subject itself. It is very easy to identify them, characterized by the ending “-self” in the singular and “-selves” in the plural.

Reflexive pronouns	Translation
Myself	To myself/ -me
Yourself	To you/yourself/yourself
Himself	To himself/herself/-himself
Herself	To herself/himself/herself
Itself	To yourself/-yourself
Ourselves	To ourselves/-us
Yourselves	To you/yourselves/yourselves
Themselves	To themselves/themselves

Check out some examples:

• Lisa blames herself for the problem. – Lisa blames herself for the problem.
• The cow hurt itself in the fence. – The cow got hurt on the fence.
• He needs to take care of himself. – He needs to take care of himself.

Indefinite pronouns – Indefinite pronouns

Indefinite pronouns, as the name suggests, replace or accompany the noun in an indeterminate or more general way.

Indefinite pronouns	Translation
All	Everyone, all, everything
Any	Some/none/any/any
Anybody/Anyone	Someone/anyone/nobody
Anything	Something/anything/nothing
Anywhere	Somewhere/anywhere
Anyway	Somehow
Some	Some/some/some
Somebody/someone	Somebody
Something	Something
Somewhere	Somewhere
Somehow	Somehow
In	None)
None	None)
Nobody/No one	Nobody
Nothing	Nothing
Nowhere	Nowhere
Much	A lot/a lot
Many	Many/many
Little	Little/little
Few	Few

See some examples of indefinite pronouns applied in a sentence:

• He didn't invite anybody to dinner. – He didn't invite anyone to dinner.
• Someone needs to help that kid or he's going to get hurt. – Someone needs to help that boy or he's going to get hurt.
• There's something under my bed. – There is something under my bed.

Possessive pronouns – Possessive pronouns

Possessive pronouns indicate a sense of possession being used before the noun.

Possessive pronouns	Translation
Mine	My/my/my/my
Yours	Yours
His	From him
Hers	Her
Its (neutral)	His/her/theirs
Ours	Our, our, our, our
Yours	Yours, yours, yours, yours, yours, yours, yours
Theirs (neutral)	Theirs, theirs

Here are some examples:

• The blue T-shirt is yours. – The blue blouse is yours.

An important observation here is that the possessive pronouns in English do not undergo degree inflection (singular and plural) as in the grammar of the Portuguese language. Check out the example below:

• These keys are mine. — These keys are my.
• This key is mine. — This key is my.

Demonstrative pronouns – Demonstrative pronouns

Demonstrative pronouns are used in a sentence to indicate something, such as a place, object or person.

Demonstrative pronouns	Translation
This	This/this/this
These	These
That	That/that/that/this/this/this
Those	Those/those/that/these/these/this
Such	Such/such/this/that/so
The one(s)	The/them ...
The former….the latter	The first/the second

Examples of sentences with demonstrative pronouns:

• Is this your car? – Is this your car?
• That's the house I lived in when I was a child – That’s the house I lived in when I was a child.
• That boy across the streets is my son. – That boy across the street is my son.

Reciprocal pronouns – Reciprocal pronouns

Reciprocal pronouns are used specifically to address something mutually between two people.

Reciprocal pronouns	Translation
Each other	If/us/each other/mutually/each other
One another	If/us/each other/mutually/each other

Examples:

• John and Anne screamed at each other. – John and Anne shouted at each other.
• Marry and I looked at one another and started laughing. – Marry and I looked at each other and started laughing.

Interrogative pronouns – Interrogative pronouns

The interrogative pronouns, also known as “question words”, are those we use in question constructions.

Interrogative pronouns	Translation
Whose	Whose/Whose
Where	Where/in which
When	When/in which/in which
What	What/Which
Which	What/Which
Why	Why
Who	Who
Whom	Who
How	How/how much

Check out some examples of interrogative pronouns used in sentences:

• Where are we going after work? – Where are we going after work?
• Whose cell phone is that? – Whose cell phone is this?
• Who is your teacher? – Who is your teacher?

Relative pronouns – Relative pronouns

Relative pronouns refer to something that has already been mentioned, perform the function of subject or object. See what they are:

Relative pronouns	Translation
Who	Who, which, that
Whose	Whose, whose, whose, whose
Which	That, which, what
Where	Where, in which, in which, in which, in which, in which
When	When, in which, in which, in which, in which
That	What
What	What

Check out some examples using the relative pronoun:

• He said that she was happy. – He said she was happy.
• We went to a workshop which taught us how to make pizza. – We went to one workshop who taught us how to make pizza
• That was the day when I realized she was the love of my life. – It was on that day that I realized that she was the love of my life.

Did you know all these pronouns? Even if you have a great knowledge of the language, It is always good to remember pronouns and their applications to further enrich your vocabulary in the English language. If you want to continue improving your English grammar even further, check out the post Verb tenses in English: everything you need to know about them!

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