Pronouns are an essential component of English grammar, used as a substitute for a noun or noun phrase to avoid repetition and simplify sentences. They can refer to people, animals, objects, or abstract ideas and are categorized into several types, including personal pronouns, possessive pronouns, reflexive pronouns, and relative pronouns, among others. Each type serves a different function in a sentence, which is why understanding pronouns is crucial for clear and effective communication in academic writing.
Common pronouns
A) Personal Pronouns (most Common Type)
Personal pronouns refer to people and things; they can be singular, plural, or both. Their forms change according to their grammatical function in a sentence. When using personal pronouns, it is acceptable to use they, them, and their to refer to a single person.
- Singular pronouns
Singular pronouns as object: me, you, him, her, it, them
Singular pronouns as possessive: my/mine, your/yours, his, her/hers, their/theirs, its
- Plural pronouns
Plural pronouns as subject: we, you, they
Plural pronouns as object: us, you, them
Plural pronouns as possessive: our/ours, your/yours, their/theirs
B) Demonstrative pronouns (this, that, these, those)
Demonstrative pronouns identify or point to a noun.
e.g., This lab report is due tomorrow.
e.g., That looks like the computer I used to have.
e.g., Put these pencils on your desk.
e.g., Those were the best days of my life.
.png)
C) Relative pronouns (who, whom, whose, which, that)
Relative pronouns begin adjective clauses and usually refer to the noun that comes right before them.
e.g., Rachael is a manager whom everyone respects.
e.g., I don't know who is responsible for setting up the lab equipment.
e.g., You need to talk to the students whose laptops were stolen.
e.g., My Sociology textbook, which costs $125, is full of factual and grammatical errors.
e.g., The new software lacks many of the benefits that the company promised.
Using Pronouns Clearly and Correctly
- Pronouns should agree in number.
Generally, singular pronouns refer to singular nouns, and plural pronouns refer to plural nouns. Lack of agreement can lead to awkwardness or confusion.
Incorrect: The company [singular noun] announced that they [plural pronoun] had been sold.
Correct: The company [singular noun] announced that it [singular pronoun] had been sold.
- Pronouns should agree in person
Throughout your document, you should try to maintain a consistent point of view by avoiding shifts between first, second, and third person pronouns.
Incorrect: When you go to class, one should have our homework ready.
In the above example, the point of view is inconsistent; pronouns shift from second to third to first person (you, one, our).
Correct: When you go to class, you should have your homework ready.
In the above example, the chosen pronouns (you and your) are consistently in second person form.
.jpg)
- Pronouns should have clear references
When there are two or more nouns in your sentence, your reader should not have to think twice when linking the pronoun to its associated noun. The following examples demonstrate unclear pronoun references and potential revisions to improve clarity.
Example 1
Unclear: Although the car hit the tree, it was not damaged.
Clear: The car was not damaged even though it hit the tree.
Example 2
Unclear: I have attached some data on euthanasia in my email. I urge you to consider this seriously.
Clear: I urge you to consider this information seriously.
Changes in social perceptions can lead to changes in language and grammar, and perhaps nowhere has this been seen as conspicuously as with the use of pronouns. The following principles and examples illustrate some techniques that can help writers avoid the unnecessary and prejudiced use of gendered pronouns.
.png)
.jpg)
