Pronouns – Types, Rules & Examples

What is a Pronoun?

A pronoun is a word that is used instead of a noun.

Pronouns help us:

• Avoid repeating the same noun again and again

• Make sentences smoother and clearer

• Sound natural in spoken and written English

Example

❌ Riya is learning English. Riya practices every day.
✅ Riya is learning English. She practices every day.

Here, “she” is a pronoun used instead of Riya.

Common Examples of Pronouns

I, you, he, she, it, we, they
me, him, her, us, them
this, that, these, those

Types of Pronouns in English

There are several types of pronouns, each used for a specific purpose.

Let’s understand them one by one with simple explanations and examples.

1. Personal Pronouns

What are Personal Pronouns?

Personal pronouns are used to refer to:

• A person

• An animal

• A thing

They change based on:

• Person (first, second, third)

• Number (singular or plural)

• Case (subject or object)

Subject Pronouns

Examples:

• I am learning English.

• She practices daily.

• They are attending class.

Object Pronouns

me, you, him, her, it, us, them

Examples:

• She helped me.

• I called him.

• The teacher guided them.

2. Possessive Pronouns

What are Possessive Pronouns?

Possessive pronouns show ownership or possession.

Examples of Possessive Pronouns

mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, theirs

Examples:

• This book is mine.

• That bag is hers.

• The decision is theirs.

Possessive Adjectives (Related Words)

my, your, his, her, its, our, their

Examples:

• This is my book.

• She lost her phone.

• They completed their work.

3. Reflexive Pronouns

What are Reflexive Pronouns?

Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and object are the same.

Examples of Reflexive Pronouns

myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, themselves

Examples:

• I taught myself English.

• She hurt herself.

• They enjoyed themselves at the party.

4. Demonstrative Pronouns

What are Demonstrative Pronouns?

Demonstrative pronouns are used to point to specific things.

Examples

Examples:

• This is my notebook.

• That is your bag.

• These are my notes.

• Those are old books.

5. Relative Pronouns

What are Relative Pronouns?

Relative pronouns are used to join two sentences and give more information about a noun.

Common Relative Pronouns

who, whom, whose, which, that

Examples

• She is the student who practices daily.

• This is the book that I like.

• He met a teacher who helped him.

6. Interrogative Pronouns

What are Interrogative Pronouns?

Interrogative pronouns are used to ask questions.

Examples

who, whom, whose, what, which

Examples:

• Who is learning English?

• What is your name?

• Which book do you prefer?

7. Indefinite Pronouns

What are Indefinite Pronouns?

Indefinite pronouns refer to people or things in a general way, not specific ones.

Examples of Indefinite Pronouns

someone, anyone, everyone
something, anything, nothing
many, few, several, all

Examples:

• Someone is waiting outside.

• Everyone enjoyed the class.

• Nothing is impossible.

8. Reciprocal Pronouns

What are Reciprocal Pronouns?

Reciprocal pronouns show mutual action between two or more people.

Examples

each other, one another

Examples:

• They help each other.

• The students respect one another.

Common Pronoun Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Her is my friend.
✅ She is my friend.

❌ This book is her.
✅ This book is hers.

❌ Everyone forgot their book.
✅ Everyone forgot his or her book.
(Modern usage: their is also acceptable in informal English.)

Pronouns in a Sentence (Example)

Sentence:
She gave me her book because I forgot mine.

Why Pronouns Are Important

• Avoid repetition

• Make communication smooth

• Improve fluency

• Essential for correct grammar

Quick Summary

• Pronouns replace nouns

• There are many types of pronouns

• Each type has a specific use

• Correct pronoun usage improves clarity

✅ Tip for Learners

If a sentence sounds repetitive, ask:

Can I replace this noun with a pronoun?

Most of the time, the answer is yes.