📝PRONOUN – COMPLETE STUDY NOTES 📘
(For WBCS, IAS, SSC, NTPC & Other Exams)
1. Definition
A pronoun is a word used in place of a noun to avoid repetition and make sentences smoother.
It refers to a person, place, thing, or idea already mentioned or easily identified in the context.
Examples:
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Ravi is a good student. He studies hard.
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I met Meera yesterday. She was happy.
2. Position of Pronouns in a Sentence
Pronouns can appear in different positions depending on their function:
| Position | Example |
|---|---|
| Subject position (before the verb) | She is reading. |
| Object position (after verb/preposition) | I saw him. |
| After "than/as" in comparisons | She is taller than I (am). |
| Possessive position (before noun) | My book is on the table. |
| Reflexive position (referring to subject) | He did it himself. |
3. Functions of Pronouns
Pronouns can serve multiple grammatical roles:
1.Replace a noun to avoid repetition (Ravi is a teacher. He teaches English.)
2.Indicate possession (This is my pen.)
3.Refer to an unspecified person or thing (Someone knocked at the door.)
4.Emphasize a noun/pronoun (I myself will do it.)
5.Ask questions (Who is there?)
6.Connect clauses (This is the man who helped me.)
4. Classification of Pronouns
Pronouns are classified into eight major types.
4.1. Personal Pronouns
Definition: Pronouns that refer to specific persons or things.
Forms:
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Subjective case – I, we, you, he, she, it, they
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Objective case – me, us, you, him, her, it, them
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Possessive case – my, mine, our, ours, your, yours, his, her, hers, its, their, theirs
Examples:
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I am happy. (subject)
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He gave me a gift. (object)
Characteristics:
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Change form based on case (subject/object/possessive).
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Show person (first, second, third).
4.2. Reflexive Pronouns
Definition: Pronouns ending in -self (singular) or -selves (plural) that refer back to the subject.
Examples: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves.
Usage:
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As an object: She blamed herself.
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For emphasis: I will do it myself.
Characteristic: Cannot be used as a subject.
4.3. Demonstrative Pronouns
Definition: Pronouns that point to specific things.
Examples: this, that, these, those.
Usage:
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This is my pen.
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Those are my friends.
Characteristic: Also function as adjectives when placed before a noun (this book).
4.4. Interrogative Pronouns
Definition: Pronouns used to ask questions.
Examples: who, whom, whose, which, what.
Usage:
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Who is at the door?
-
Which is your bag?
Characteristic: Always end with a question mark in direct questions.
4.5. Relative Pronouns
Definition: Pronouns that connect clauses and refer to a noun mentioned earlier.
Examples: who, whom, whose, which, that.
Usage:
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The man who came is my uncle.
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The book that you gave is interesting.
Characteristic: Function as a link between clauses.
4.6. Indefinite Pronouns
Definition: Pronouns that refer to non-specific persons or things.
Examples: someone, somebody, something, anyone, anybody, anything, everyone, everybody, everything, none, few, many, all, some.
Usage:
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Someone is knocking at the door.
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Many were absent.
Characteristic: Do not point to a particular noun.
4.7. Distributive Pronouns
Definition: Pronouns that refer to persons or things one at a time.
Examples: each, either, neither.
Usage:
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Each of the boys has a pen.
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Neither of the two was selected.
Characteristic: Always singular and take a singular verb.
4.8. Reciprocal Pronouns
Definition: Pronouns expressing mutual action or relationship.
Examples: each other, one another.
Usage:
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They love each other.
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We help one another.
Characteristic: Indicate reciprocity.
5. Rules of Pronouns for Competitive Exams
(Frequently tested in SSC, WBCS, IAS, Railways)
Rule 1: Pronoun–Antecedent Agreement
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A pronoun must agree in number, gender, and person with its antecedent.
✅ Ramesh lost his pen. ❌ Ramesh lost their pen.
Rule 2: Singular vs. Plural Indefinite Pronouns
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Singular: each, either, neither, everybody, everyone, anyone, anybody, nobody, someone, somebody.
✅ Each student must bring his book. -
Plural: few, many, several, both.
✅ Few were late to the meeting. -
Singular/Plural (depending on meaning): all, some, none, most, any.
Rule 3: Possessive Case After a Gerund
✅ I appreciate your coming early. ❌ I appreciate you coming early.
Rule 4: Reflexive Pronouns Usage
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Use reflexive only when subject and object are the same.
✅ He hurt himself. ❌ He hurt hisself. -
For emphasis: I will do it myself.
Rule 5: Case After Than / As
✅ She is taller than I (am).
✅ No one knows her as well as I (do).
Rule 6: Pronouns in Compound Subjects/Objects
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Subject form: Ram and I are friends.
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Object form: They invited Ram and me.
Rule 7: Who vs. Whom
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Who – subject of a verb.
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Whom – object of a verb/preposition.
✅ Who wrote this? ✅ To whom should I speak?
Rule 8: Relative Pronoun Choice
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Use that for persons/things (defining clauses).
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Use who for persons (non-defining clauses).
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Use which for things.
Rule 9: Distributive Pronoun Singular Verb
✅ Each of the boys is present. ❌ Each of the boys are present.
Rule 10: Avoid Unclear Reference
❌ When Sarah met Priya, she was happy. (Who is "she"?)
✅ Sarah was happy when she met Priya.
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