8 types of pronouns

8 Types of Pronouns | Definitions, and Examples


In this lesson, we will discuss the eight types of pronouns, including their definitions and examples. However, the pronoun is an essential part of speech in English grammar.

As we know, nouns and pronouns are closely related to each other. If we use a single noun frequently for every sentence, then those sentences look weird or boring to read. Let us see some examples to get a clear idea about it.

  1. Nishant is a student.
  2. Nishant goes to his campus every day.
  3. Nishant plays football with his friends.

Note: In the above sentences, we can find that the same (‘Nishant’) subject is used in each sentence, and that’s why they don’t look so good. But if we use ‘he’ (pronoun) instead of the same noun (Nishant), then every sentence look pretty well.

What is a Pronoun in English?

We know any naming word (person, place, thing, idea, or emotion) is called a noun. And a word that is placed instead of a noun is called a pronoun. For example, I, we, our, your, these, who, whom, each, either, neither, etc.

Pronouns are marked in bold for easy identification.

  • am going to meet my friends.
  • We have an excellent relationship.
  • No other conspiracy break our relationship.
  • It would be best if you concentrated on your study.
  • The place is lovely and better than that of others.
  • These birds look gorgeous.
  • I have a nephew who is very smart.
  • I see a girl whom I love so much.
  • Each of the birds is flying in the sky.
  • Either he or you will do this work.
  • Neither she nor her friend attends the meeting.

8 Types of Pronouns with Definitions and Examples

Pronouns are classified into several categories or types. We will discuss the 8 types of pronouns in English. They are:

  1. Personal pronouns
  2. Possessive pronouns
  3. Reflexive pronouns
  4. Demonstrative pronouns
  5. Indefinite pronouns
  6. Relative pronouns
  7. Interrogative pronouns
  8. Distributive pronouns

1. Personal Pronouns

A pronoun used to place instead of any person is called a personal pronoun. Personal pronoun usually indicates persons. For example, I, we, you, she, they, etc.

Personal pronouns are marked in bold for easy identification.

  • I have a sweet puppet.
  • We have been playing cards since morning.
  • You are very good at English.
  • He had an evergreen memory of his childhood.
  • She is going to arrange a meeting with her colleagues.
  • They will be played in the final match.

2. Possessive Pronouns

A possessive pronoun is another necessary pronoun among those eight types of pronouns. Let us see the definition of the possessive pronoun. A pronoun that is used to indicate possession is called a possessive pronoun—for example, mine, ours, yours, his, hers, theirs, etc.

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Possessive pronouns are marked in bold for easy identification.

  • The pen is mine.
  • It is the responsibility of ours.
  • You have to fulfill of dreams of yours.
  • He doesn’t follow his duty properly.
  • The doll is hers.
  • They are going to build the building theirs.

3. Reflexive Pronouns

A pronoun used to add self or selves and indicates the subject or clause is called a reflexive pronoun, for example, yourself, herself, etc. A reflexive pronoun is placed when the subject and object indicate the same person or the same thing.

Reflexive pronouns are marked in bold for easy identification.

  • I regret the guilty of myself.
  • It would help if you were careful of yourself.
  • We bought some food for ourselves.
  • He claims himself as a brilliant student.
  • She wants to take herself in a new position.
  • They think of themselves as a part of the company.

4. Demonstrative Pronouns

A pronoun that is usually used to indicate a noun is a demonstrative pronoun—for example, these, those, it, etc. A demonstrative pronoun is placed to specify a subject.

Demonstrative pronouns are marked in bold for easy identification.

  • This is the book I borrowed from you.
  • Do you see that place before?
  • These boys are playing cricket.
  • I miss those childhood days.
  • It is the most beautiful place I have ever seen.

5. Indefinite Pronouns

A pronoun that indicates any unidentified person or thing is called an indefinite pronoun. For example, anyone, any one, some, someone, no one, anybody, somebody, nobody, many, everyone, all, etc.

Indefinite pronouns are marked in bold for easy identification.

  • Any of the books don’t match my curriculum.
  • One should follow one’s duty.
  • Is there anyone to answer this question?
  • I want to buy some books.
  • Would you please call someone to take me into the house?
  • No one can disagree with this matter.
  • Somebody help the poor.
  • Nobody defeats him in this game.
  • I have many clothes which I want to distribute to the orphan child.
  • Everyone should concentrate on the class.
  • All of the passengers missed the train.

6. Relative Pronouns

A pronoun used to introduce a relative clause and connect it to an independent clause is called a relative pronoun. For example, who, whose, whom, which, etc.

Relative pronouns are marked in bold for easy identification.

  • I have a sister who is very good at English.
  • I don’t know whose book is on the table.
  • He has a good friend whom he loves so much.
  • My brother has a dog which is beautiful.
  • What is the reason behind that story?

7. Interrogative Pronouns

A pronoun that can be used as a relative pronoun that may be found in a question or indirect question is called an interrogative pronoun, for example, who, whom, which, what, etc.

Interrogative pronouns are marked in bold for easy identification.

  • Who is sitting in front of you?
  • Whom do you want to love?
  • Which smartphone do you prefer to buy?
  • What is your opinion regarding this issue?

8. Distribute Pronouns

A pronoun used to indicate persons or things one at a time is called a distributive pronoun. Distributive pronouns are always singular, following singular nouns and verbs. Let’s see some examples of distributive pronouns; each, either, neither, etc.

Distributive pronouns are marked in bold for easy identification.

  • Each of the boys is taking part in the competition.
  • Either they can do this task.
  • Neither Jack nor Jonny attends the class.

In fine, we can remark that pronouns play a very significant role in improving the quality of a sentence. So it’s essential to learn all these eight types of pronouns, including their definitions and examples. And this is how we’ll be able to identify any pronoun of a sentence.

Pronoun Quiz

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muhoozi greame
muhoozi greame
2 years ago

good work done

Priyanka Singh
Priyanka Singh
2 years ago

the quiz and explanation has be done nicely I like it

Last edited 2 years ago by Priyanka Singh
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