diploma thesis...diploma thesis demonstrative and personal pronouns mentor: aferdita kasolli, phd.c....
TRANSCRIPT
UNIVERSITY OF GJAKOVA “FEHMI AGANI”
FACULTY OF PHILOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
DIPLOMA THESIS
DEMONSTRATIVE AND PERSONAL PRONOUNS
Mentor: Aferdita Kasolli, Phd.c. Candidate: Flormonda Bajramaj
Gjakovë, 2017
UNIVERSITY OF GJAKOVA “FEHMI AGANI”
FACULTY OF PHILOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
DIPLOMA THESIS
DEMONSTRATIVE AND PERSONAL PRONOUNS
Mentor: Aferdita Kasolli, Phd.c. Candidate: Flormonda Bajramaj
Gjakovë, 2017
Table of Contents:
1. Introduction…………………………………………………………………………..…. 6
1.1.Research Hypothesis……………………………………………………………….….. 7
1.2. Research Questions……………………………………………………………………. 7
1.3.The Aim of Research……………………………………………………………….…. 8
1.4.The Corpus of Study…………………………………………………………………... 8
1.5.Methodology of Work……………………………………………………………........ 8
1.6.Literature Review ……………………………………………………………………... 9
2. A short Introduction about pronouns………………………………………………….… 9
2.1. Types of pronouns …………………………………………………………................. 10
3.Demonstrative and Personal pronouns…………………………………………………... 16
3.1.The function of Demonstrative pronouns……………………………………………… 16
3.2.The function of Personal pronouns…………………………......................................... 19
4. A list of demonstrative pronouns (examples, rules)…………………………………….. 23
4.1.A list of personal pronouns ………………………………………………………........ 26
5. Research……………………………………………………………………………….… 28
5.1.Data Collection………………………………………………........................................ 28
5.2.Grammatical Number of pronouns…………………………………………………….. 29
5.3.Grammatical Gender of pronouns……………………………………………………... 29
5.4.Grammatical Person of pronouns………………………………………………............ 30
5.5.Grammatical Case of pronouns………………………………………………………… 30
6. Findings…………………………………………………………………………………. 33
6.1 Results………………………………………………………………………………….. 36
7. Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………. 40
8.Appendix…………………………………………………………………………............ 41
References………………………………………………………………………................. 43
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1. INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this thesis is to study English pronouns from different perspectives, and also
to compare them when it’s possible. The theory will help us to discover the global behavior
of pronouns as every sight will develop diverse information about them. It would be
reductive to talk specifically about pronouns only referring to grammar, because, it would
only give us a set of theoretic knowledge that is not always true in the language in use.
Pronouns can be very useful when standing in for other nouns or noun phrases. They make
sentences less repetitive by eliminating the need to repeat the same nouns over and over
again. However, they are only useful if the reader always knows what word the pronoun is
replacing–the pronoun’s antecedent. An antecedent is a word that comes before the pronoun
in a sentence, however not necessarily directly before. This can be partly done through word
order. Don’t separate a pronoun too far from its antecedent, and do not use a pronoun unless
its antecedent has already been established. Pronouns are everywhere; we use them in
everyday speech, in writing, and to take the place of people’s names. We use them without
even thinking about them, but for some people, pronouns are a big dilemma because other
folks do not use the correct pronouns to describe them. Pronouns can be used in place of
nouns (when appropriate), and a pronoun operates just like a noun in a sentence. Most of the
times, authors make the mistake of referring to a noun with a pronoun without first
providing and introducing the actual noun that, a pronoun is replacing. This creates
confusion for readers since it is not clear that who or what a pronoun is referring to. Going
further we are going to explain in details everything about pronouns. On the other hand, it is
always a good idea using a lot of pronouns throughout paragraphs to replace nouns (once
they’ve been introduced) so that all the sentences don’t begin exactly the same or follow the
exact same pattern each time. Sentences may start to sound redundant or choppy and
sometimes uninteresting) when they are all the same and become very predictable to readers.
Without sacrificing meaning and direction in your paragraphs, it is very good to mix it up a
bit with sentences. A more successful definition of pronouns, usage according to (Matte Bon
2000) is that they are “used for referring to the grammatical persons and can be defined in
relation with speaking and with the persons who take part in the discourse: addressee of the
message and third person; the latter is not directly involved in the communication, however
it is mentioned“. Everyone unconsciously makes the use of pronouns to refer to people
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inside and outside the text. (Bon, 2000:132), it must be said thus the function of pronouns, is
based on the function of the grammatical persons and it is always linked with the persons
who take part in the discourse, the sender, and the receiver of the message, which is always
the third person. The usage of pronouns, it is always able to be seen when we refer to people
inside and outside the text.
1.1 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
Pronouns are still found difficult by some people, because sometimes pronouns are found as
pronouns that are used as nouns, and pronouns that are used as noun phrases. Consequently to
make this theory more undoubtedly it should give to the reader a clear distinction between the
importance of the pronouns and also the usage of the pronouns in a sentence. This is possible
only by explaining the differences and also the similarities of both types of pronouns.
The research hypothesis is as it follows:
Pronouns are a huge topic to study, and the importance of them is based on much they are used
and placed in a sentence.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Here are some questions that will be answered throughout the thesis.
1. How does the usage of the pronouns affect the English language in general?
2. Why is it important to substitute nouns?
3. Do pronouns substitute everything, or only some nouns?
4. Are pronouns unique in language in use, and do they have an important role on it?
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1.2 THE AIM OF RESEARCH
The aim of this study is to point out similarities and differences of pronouns in general, and to
notify about the importance of pronouns and the substitution of the nouns itself. Therefore
comparative method is considered as a key factor in the scientific research of modern linguistics,
as a result it can be used successfully in teaching pronouns as well. Considering the fact that
parts of speech are always subject of confusing when dealing with different types of languages, a
very important thing to mention is that after reading this paper the audience should be competent
to understand how a pronoun is used, and how important is to understand the application of
pronouns, their number, gender, and also their grammatical case. Throughout this paper it are
going to see that English grammar without pronouns would be less understandable and their
usage on sentences is very important, and most of the time necessary.
1.4 THE CORPUS OF THE STUDY
The theoretical part while conducting this research paper was taken from books, different
surveys and also some grammar books from Albanian language which are all scheduled in the
reference. All these materials had a great influence on understanding the importance of
pronouns, their usage, and also some rules which completely tell us how a pronoun is used in a
correct way, mentioning also original examples and also examples from grammar books and
syntax books.
While for the practical part this thesis is based on analysis from different authors, and a
questionnaire that is made for high-school students that aims them how much are them informed
about pronouns, and how do they understand this part of speech.
1.5 METHODOLOGY OF WORK
This research is based on a questionnaire. The questionnaire is for considering how much are
students informed about different types of pronouns but mostly these two types of pronouns, thus
personal and demonstrative ones. After conducting the questionnaire it was easier to see that how
much pronouns are acknowledged and how much are these students familiar with them. Part of
the responders were 20 students, each of them had the same questions to answer but the
difference is of course to the answers, every student has its own perception that how do they
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understand the definition of pronouns, how do they use them, what is the difference between
demonstrative adjectives and demonstrative pronouns, and to see if they know to find the
grammatical person used in a sentence, because this sometimes still seems to be very confusing.
1.6. LITERATURE REVIEW
The entire material that it is used for this thesis is taken from different books, mostly grammar
books from dissimilar authors, Albanian authors and English ones. Gathering information from
other sources, mainly online sources, and presenting them to the audience, to aim them in
understanding the topic, and being able to see the importance of this part of speech. Pronouns
itself are a huge topic to study and there are a lot of grammar points related to pronouns, and
English grammar books are the best technique that it is used on understanding the pronouns. The
most important thing to point out here is that each of us should avoid the most common mistakes
that people used to make when it comes to pronouns. Using them correctly is the main point to
be acquainted with in order to substitute nouns.
2. A SHORT INTRODUCTION ABOUT PRONOUNS
From the most common words in the English language are pronouns, which are used to
substitute nouns and noun phrases (a constituent which is of course formed by a determiner
and it is formed by a noun). Talking about their function and also their importance it is
known from the etymology of the word pronoun which is known from 1520 and it derives
from the word pro-and noun; words that from the French language have the same meaning as
in English but they are joined together with an Latin word pro- nomen from pro-in place and
nomen it is clear that means noun. (Riley, 1995:104) at any case, it will be seen how
pronouns are made of and how do they place in sentences; they can be as a bound-variable
and not just only as a replacement for a noun. A bound variable is a variable that was free,
but now should be bound to a specific value or set of values. Furthermore, they can also
place a non-nominal category. Giving additional information about the definition of pronouns
and their usage according to Matte Bon (2000) that pronouns are not the only element and
their function is not only as referents, it must think about the verbs of place here and there,
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which as it is known from the previous knowledge that refer to a place. Pronouns are used in
place of nouns. The purpose of pronouns is to avoid repetition and also to make sentences
easier to understand. English language has a lot of types of pronouns which are known, and
used in order to make sentences less repetitive and flow better.
In grammar, a pronoun is defined as a word or as a phrase that may be substituted for a noun
or a noun phrase, the part that is replaced is known as a pronoun’s antecedent. This is
possible for the simple reason that a pronoun itself can do everything that nouns can do. A
pronoun can be everything; a pronoun can be a subject, direct object, indirect object, etc. If
pronouns wouldn’t exist it will have to keep on repeating nouns and that would make the
speech and the writing monotonous, or simply said uninteresting, using pronouns is very easy
because pronouns are short words, and simple one. Even though pronouns are usually used to
replace nouns, this can easily change because pronouns can also stand in for certain adverbs
not all of them but only some of them, adjectives, and also other persons. Every time that it is
talked about a person, a place or an animal as well you can use pronouns. The only thing you
need to follow while using pronouns are rules, because each and every pronoun has its own
rules. In wide-ranging all pronouns must and should agree with the antecedent and the proper
verb form. The antecedent as it is mentioned before is the word or it can be (words) that a
pronoun refers to.
(Riley, 1995:104) it must be said that pronouns are used to substitute nouns, and their main
function is not only to act as referents, but it must think about the verbs of place, that as it is
known from the previous knowledge they refer to a place, and now they are used in place of
nouns, which are going to be substituted.
2.1 TYPES OF PRONOUNS
Pronouns can be divided into numerous categories including:
Indefinite pronouns – referring to: one or more unspecified objects, beings, and places.
Personal pronouns– those associated with a certain person, thing, or group all have distinct
forms that indicate singular or plural number.
Reflexive pronouns – these pronouns proceeded by the: adverb, adjective, pronoun, or noun to
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which they refer, and ending in self-or selves.
Demonstrative pronouns–those used to point to something specific within a sentence.
Possessive pronouns –those designate possession of ownership.
Relative pronouns-those which refer to nouns mentioned previously, acting to introduce an
adjective or an (relative clause).
Interrogative pronouns -those pronouns that introduce a question.
Reciprocal pronouns –those expressing mutual actions or relationship: i.e. one another.
Intensive pronouns-those ending in–self or selves-and that serve to emphasize their antecedents.
Even though it has been talked about different types of pronouns, this doesn’t mean that English
language does not have more pronouns. In linguistics and grammar, a pronoun is a word that
substitutes a noun or for a noun phrase. It is a particular case of pro-form.
Pronouns have traditionally been regarded as one of the parts of speech, but some modern
theorists would not consider them to form a single class, in view of the variety of the functions
they perform.
The use of pronouns often involves anaphora, where the meaning of the pronoun is dependent
on an antecedent. This applies especially to third-person personal pronouns and relative
pronouns. For example, in the sentence “That young lady looks as if she needs a new dress. The
antecedent of the pronoun she is the noun phrase that young lady. (Huang, (2000:5).
The adjective associated with pronoun is pronominal. A pronominal is also a word or phrase
that acts as pronoun .For example, in “that’s not the one I wanted” the phrase the one (congaing
the prop-word one) is a pronominal.
Below is Table 1. There are scheduled all the types of pronouns in English language.
The following table lists all the existing pronouns in English language, there are nine types of
them however the intention of this paper is to clarify only the demonstrative and personal
pronouns, demonstrative pronouns are This, That, Those, These, while personal pronouns are I,
You, He, She, It, We, You, They.
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INDEFINITE PRONOUNS: Anyone, Everybody, Anybody, Somebody, None.
PERSONAL PRONOUNS: I, You, He, She, It, We, You, They.
REFLEXIVE PRONOUNS: Myself, Yourself, Themselves, Ourselves.
DEMONSTRATIVE PRONOUNS: This, That, Those, These.
POSSESIVE PRONOUNS: My, Yours, Hers, Ours, Theirs, His, Hers.
RELATIVE PRONOUNS: Who, Whom, Which, What, or with so-ever.
INTERROGATIVE PRONOUNS
What, Whose, Which, Whom.
RECIPROCAL PRONOUNS: Each other, One another.
INTENSIVE PRONOUNS: Himself, Itself, Myself, Themselves, Oneself.
Table 1.Pronouns in English Language
In this table are listed all the pronouns that do exist in English language. On the first column are
indefinite pronouns, anyone, everybody, somebody, none, etc. On the second column are personal
pronouns which are going to be explained throughout the paper I, you, he, she, it, we, you, and
they. On the third column take place reflexive pronouns myself, yourself, ourselves, themselves.
The fourth column has the demonstrative pronouns on it which are this, that, these, and those. On
the fifth column take place possessive pronouns which are these pronouns my, yours, hers, ours,
theirs, his, and hers. The sixth column has to do with relative pronouns that are who, which,
what, or with so-ever. On the seventh column are placed interrogative pronouns which are what,
whose, which and whom. The eighth and the ninth column have to do with two types of pronouns
that aren’t used that much, the reciprocal pronouns and intensive pronouns which are as it
follows: each other and one another while intensive pronouns are itself, myself, themselves, and
oneself.
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3. DEMONSTRATIVE AND PERSONAL PRONOUNS
A pronoun is a word used in the place of one or more nouns, or a group of words acting as a
noun itself, or as another pronoun. Imaging, only using nouns to refer to people, animals, and
things, our sentences, both speech and writing would be very long and tedious. English
language has mainly nine different types of pronouns. But in this thesis the whole focus and
the attention will be mostly to demonstrative and personal pronouns. What is really important
to mention about demonstrative pronouns is that the family of demonstrative pronouns
(this/that/those/such/) can act or behave either as a pronoun or as a determiner. As it is said
in the earlier paragraphs pronoun is a word which is used in place of a noun, it means the
identification a living or a nonliving object or feeling without mentioning its name. For
instance He is a pronoun that it can be used in a place of a noun, for example John or Nick.
But when using pronouns either demonstrative or personal ones it should really take care of
some things, be aware and make sure that when the pronoun is used in a place of a noun, it
must match all these things ,its number ,point of view and the gender of the noun that it is
replacing. A demonstrative pronoun represents a thing or things, near in distance or time and
far in distance in time. Pronouns itself are very tricky because they are sometimes mixed with
adjectives. They are identical, but a demonstrative pronoun stands alone while a
demonstrative adjective qualifies a noun. Therefore a demonstrative pronoun is “That”
smells (a demonstrative pronoun). And “That “book is good (demonstrative adjective
+noun). Normally demonstrative pronouns are used for things only but it can be used also for
people when the person of course first is identified. To cut down the repetitiveness of nouns
in a sentence pronouns are always welcomed. It is not that important which kind of a
pronoun it is, for us it will be easier to identify the subject in a sentence when a pronoun is
used. Using pronouns in a correct way is the greatest process that it can be done, but although
they are very important and all of that, people while using pronouns tend to make a lot of
basic mistakes, mistakes that can be avoid if they don’t substitute the nouns but they read,
write, or speak, repeating nouns as much as it is possible. Therefore it is in need giving some
extra information, that how a pronoun should be used in order not to make these mistakes.
Now it is in must to give some steps that how should “escape” from mistakes.
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Method one: Using pronouns in a correct way.
1. Identifying the antecedent
The antecedent it is point out before the noun that, a pronoun is replacing. Every pronoun
should have an antecedent. Below are some examples where the antecedent is placed in the
beginning of the sentence. Therefore the name “Gabby is the antecedent of the word she, or the
antecedent of the personal pronoun “she”.
Examples:
“Gaby always wanted to go to the zoo and now she had the chance”
in the example, Gabby is the antecedent of the word she.
“The Gulls were chattering as they flew”
Gulls is the antecedent of they.
2. Memorize the Personal pronouns.
Personal pronouns are pronouns that refer to the people or things. They are the most basic form
of pronoun. Personal pronouns should always be the same even in the singular or in plural form,
also in gender (masculine, feminine, or neuter) as their antecedent is. There are three types of
personal pronouns: subject, object, and possessive.
First person singular: I, me, mine,
First person plural: we, us, ours,
Second person singular, and plural: you, yours
Third person masculine singular: he, him, his
Third person feminine singular: she, her, hers
Third person neuter singular: it, its
Third person plural (all genders): they, them, theirs
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The antecedent of the personal pronouns is always in the singular form.
3. Choosing subject pronoun, when the subject pronoun is doing the action in a sentence.
The subject pronouns are I, we, you, he, she, it and they. Subject pronouns are usually used at the
beginning of sentences or clauses. They will usually come before a verb. If the pronoun is doing
the action, it should use a subject pronoun. Here are some examples which inform us where the
subject pronoun is placed in a sentence and what action is a subject pronoun doing.
Examples:
“She drives to work every day”.
The subject pronoun she is doing the action of driving. Therefore, she is the subject.
“They practice basketball in the morning”.
They are doing the action of practicing. Therefore, you use a subject pronoun.
4. Choosing object pronoun, when the object pronoun is receiving the action.
The object pronouns are me, us, you, him, her, it, and them. If the pronoun is receiving the
action, it is called a direct object. Object pronouns are always used when the antecedent is a
direct object. Here are some examples when an object pronoun is receiving the action.
Examples:
“Bob threw it across the room”. Here the object pronoun it is receiving the action.
It is receiving the action of throwing. Therefore, you use an object verb.
“Dad patted him on the back”.
Him is the receiver. Therefore, you use an object verb.
5. Put the object pronouns right after prepositions.
Object pronouns also come after prepositions. In this case, the pronouns are replacing the
indirect object. Prepositions are words like “before” to” after” through” and above”. They
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indicate position. Here are some examples when the object pronoun is placed after prepositions.
Examples: “the ball to him” is placed right after prepositions
“Mark passed the ball to him “.
“Alice walked in between them”.
“The teacher walked in front of her“
6. Prove ownership with possessive pronouns as well.
Possessive pronouns are pronouns indicate that something belongs to someone or something
else. The possessive pronouns are: mine, ours, yours, its, his, hers, and theirs. Here are some
examples that prove possession. For example “The beautiful dress is hers” .The sentence itself
tells possession and we can understand that it is talking for someone’s dress in this case her
dress.
“The car is hers”.
“The blue horse is theirs”
“The red house is ours”
All of the examples tell about possession and the function of a possessive pronoun in a sentence.
3.1. THE FUNCTION OF DEMONSTRATIVE PRONOUNS
The distinction between occurrences of the demonstrative pronouns is trickier because the
inventory of the forms of the pronouns sometimes is the same. A demonstrative pronoun, help us
“to demonstrate something or help us to point out things’ (King, 2011, p85). A demonstrative
pronoun stands for a person, place, or also a thing that can function as a subject or an object.
Considering the fact that demonstrative pronouns help us to demonstrate things the word itself
demonstrates us that what kind of function do this pronouns have. “This” is a singular
demonstrative pronoun that represents a thing or a lot of things that are near in distance and in
time. This pronoun stands for a noun in a sentence; it substitutes a noun in a sentence. Therefore
the function of the demonstrative pronouns is a subject, as an object, as a direct object, and
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sometimes its function is as an object of preposition. As pronouns, they identify or point to
nouns.
That is incredible (referring to something you just saw)
I will never forget this (referring to a recent experience)
Such is my belief (referring to an explanation just made)
As determiners, the demonstratives adjectivally modify a noun that follows. A sense of relative
distance (in time and also in space) these can be conveyed through the choice of these
pronouns/determiners. (King, 2011:85).
These (pancakes here now on my plate) are delicious.
Those (pancakes that I had yesterday morning) were even better.
This (book in my hand) is well written;
That (book that I’m pointing to, over there, on the table) is trash.
A sense of emotional distance or even disdain can be conveyed with the demonstrative ones.
You’re going to wear these?
This is the best you can do?
Therefore pronouns used in this way would receive special stress in a spoken sentence when
used as subjects, demonstrative pronouns, in either singular or plural form, they can be used to
refer to object and to persons as well.
This is my wife.
This is my book.
In other roles or functions, however the reference of the demonstrative pronouns is non-personal.
In other words, when referring to students, saying. ”Those were loitering near the entrance
during the fire drill” (as long as it is perfectly clear in context what “those” refers to). But merely
can say “The principal suspended those for two days”; instead, it would have to use “those” as a
determiner and to write “The principal suspended those students for two days.
Demonstrative pronoun represents things that are near to us or that aren’t near to us. Therefore,
in the following examples it will be seen the function of the demonstrative pronouns.
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Example 1: These tastes delicious. (“This” is the subject.)
Example 2: John, would you mail this? (“This” is the object.)
Example 3: Does the wallpaper that the decorator selected go with this? (“This” is the object of
preposition.
“That” is a singular demonstrative pronoun that represents a thing or things that are far in time.
Example 4: That should take some time to complete. (“That” is the subject.)
Example 5: Felicia selected that. (“That” is the object.) (King, 2011:85).
Example 6: The boxes were stacked against that. (“That” is the object of preposition).
“These” and “those”
“These” is a plural demonstrative pronoun that represents a thing or a lot of things that are near
in distance.
Example 1: These are the perfect earrings. (“These” is the subject.
Example 2: Can Bridget locate these by the deadline? (“These” is the object.)
Example 3: Please read over these, and then get back to me. (“These is the object of
preposition)
“Those” is a plural demonstrative pronoun that represents a thing or a lot of things that are far in
distance.
Example 4: Those considering a career in architecture must study engineering. (“Those” is the
subject).
Example 5: Tim purchased those for the kids. (“Those” is the object).
Example 6: Sebastian can play with those. (“Those” is the object of preposition).
Demonstrative pronouns can function also as adjectives. They look completely identical. While
they look completely the same, a demonstrative pronoun stands alone, and a demonstrative
adjective modifies a noun.
Example 1: That hurts. (“That” is the demonstrative pronoun).
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Example 2: That coffee is robust. (”That” is the demonstrative adjective, and “coffee” is the
noun).
In most of the cases, demonstrative pronouns are used for things or people when the person is
identified.
Example 1: That sounds like Rebecca. (King, 2011:85).
Example2: This is Josephine speaking.
That is a demonstrative pronoun which speaks about the name Rebecca, here the person is
identified, in the second example this is a demonstrative pronoun while the name Josephine is the
name of the person that is identified. (King, 2011:85).
3.2. THE FUNCTION OF PERSONAL PRONOUNS
While by definition, a pronoun is a word that is used in a place of a noun and sometimes in a
place of the noun phrase. But what is interesting about personal pronouns in this case is that what
is their function in a sentence, what do they help us when using them. The grammatical function
or the function itself of a pronoun is the work that a pronoun does in a sentence, the role that a
pronoun has in a sentence.
Pronouns in general can perform any of the following five most important functions:
Subject of the verb
Object of the verb
Complement of the verb
Object of preposition
Opposition to a noun
Occasionally to understand better grammar rules, is important to see them in examples and to
see their function. If a pronoun is functioning as the subject of a verb, here the pronoun itself will
come before the main verb in the sentence. It is also the one that the entire sentence focuses on.
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The whole thing that it can be done is to see where the subject is placed, and if it is in the
beginning of the sentence.
Examples:
He is very sick.
You may let them come in.
I hate the way our relationship ended.
He likes me.
It is a shame the way you mistreat the child.
They love soccer.
We voted Bill Clinton in the last election.
In the last example the pronoun “We” is the subject and it is placed in the beginning of
the sentence.
All the highlighted pronouns in the sentences above are all subjects and therefore they are
functioning as subjects of their verbs. The pronoun “he” is functioning as the subject of the verb
is. Each and every personal pronoun in the examples that are mention, are subjects and they are
placed in the beginning of a sentence. Example “They” in “They love soccer. Is placed in the
beginning of a sentence and it is a subject.
A. Pronouns can function as object of a verb: A pronoun will function as an object of a verb
when it comes after an action verb but also when it receives the action of the verb.
Examples:
James slapped me.
I kissed her.
The hunter killed it.
You showed him all the money.
The security spotted us.
Each of the highlighted pronouns is functioning as an object of the verb coming before
it. They are all object for the simple reason that they are all receiving action from their
action verbs.
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B. Pronouns functioning as complements of a verb
When a pronoun functions as a complement of a verb, it comes after a linking verb or
state-being verb and receives no action from the verb.
Examples:
The thief was he.
The winner was she.
It was I who called him last night.
The visitor was she.
It was you.
Every highlighted pronoun in these examples is functioning as a complement of the verb
preceding it. The reason they are called complements is that they come after linking verbs, and
they are receiving no action from these verbs. “The thief was he. Here the pronoun is functioning
as complement of a verb.
C. Pronouns can also function as an object of preposition
Examples:
I bought the book for her.
The teacher is angry with me.
It is all about you.
I took a picture of her.
Please give it all to me.
Each and every word here is a preposition, “for” “with” “of” “to” is all prepositions. For
example in the first sentence the pronoun “her” is functioning as the object of preposition “for”.
D. Personal pronouns can also be used after a verb and before an Infinitive
Example:
The dean wanted him to lead the procession.
The teacher chooses her to substitute the lectures.
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The doctor called me to give me some news.
The singer chooses her to make a song with.
E. Personal pronouns are used also after a preposition:
After a preposition, we need to use an object form.
Example:
I started rapping for people just like myself, people who were in awe of
wealth and flash. It was a conversation between me and them.
Between you and me, the marriage is in serious trouble.
He and his brother waved my mother and me.
F. Personal pronouns are used also in appositive phrases and with me or us before a noun.
Examples:
The supervisor praised only two employees, Ramon and me.
The singer waved to us.
We fans have decided to form a club.
G. Personal pronouns can also be used in comparisons:
Examples:
She is certainly not more intelligent than me.
He is not richer than her.
You are not taller than him.
Here the personal pronoun is comparing, the personal pronoun she versus personal pronoun me.
3. LIST OF DEMONSTRATIVE PRONOUNS
Demonstrative pronouns distinguish the particular objects or people that are referred to, from
18
other possible candidates, notices that they do not refer to noun phrases but only to a part of a
NP. A demonstrative pronoun, tells whether is replacing something singular, or something plural,
and whether that thing is close by or farther away.
Indeed, demonstrative pronouns are subcategories of determiners, as a result they do not work
very different from the determinative article (e.g. the) that designates a particular referent among
the others. This led us to claim the crucial difference between intransitive and transitive verbs.
Just like transitive verbs must be followed by an object, a definite article must be followed by a
noun.
As far as demonstrative pronouns are concerned, a special attention has to be paid to the pronoun
One, even if it does convey no distance degree. One is used instead of repeating a singular noun
(not an NP) and ones instead of repeating a plural noun when it is clear from the context what we
are talking about. He wants’ the red bag, I want the black ones. Here ones substitute the
plural bags. Notice that the presence of an adverb or an adjective (generally a modifier or an
adjunct) is obligator, e.g.” Can I get you a drink?” “It’s okay, I’ve already got one “(a drink)
and I think his best poems are his early ones” (poems). However, ones/one cannot be used
instead of an uncountable noun. E.g. If you need any more paper, I’ll bring you some. (..I’ll
bring you ones/one*).Moreover we cannot use ones without precisely which group of things we
are talking about. Instead we must use some like:”We need new curtains “.”Okay let’s buy
some “(Okay, let’s buy ones). Differently forms one, some, do not need an adjective or
modifier.
Demonstrative pronouns are included in the larger class of determiners (which comprises words
such as (the, an, a). However, a final group of words included in the class of determiners is a
surprising one: it consists of the plural forms we, us and you.
We leaders of the senate
Us students of chemistry
You children
Notice that the construction they children are incorrect. However it seems that considering
pronoun as determiner it is not always true, let us consider the sentence: we with glasses here the
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pronoun cannot function as a determiner given that it is not followed by a name.
Below is given Table 2.Demonstrative pronouns and their grammatical function of number:
Demonstrative pronouns have the grammatical function of number; the grammatical function of
number has to do with the number of pronouns from which it can be seen if the pronoun is
singular or plural, if a demonstrative pronoun is in singular form it is used This, while in plural it
is used These. If the pronoun that it are referring to, is near to us it is used This, while when the
pronoun that it are referring to is far from us, it is used That, to point out something that is far
away or to demonstrate a relative distance.
Demonstrative Pronouns:
Proximity Number
Singular Plural
Near This These
Distant That Those
Table 2. Demonstrative pronouns and their grammatical function of number.
Demonstrative pronouns may also be used to replace a common noun (or noun phrase) in a
sentence as long as it’s first clear to readers who or what the pronoun is referring to. It’s not
accurate to refer to a human as “that” or “this” unless it precedes a noun: That belongs to “this
“man. However, it is okay to refer to a group of humans as “those” or “these”.
As it has been seen, there are a large number of pronouns with different grammatical functions.
Focusing in these two types of pronouns makes the importance of these pronouns superior and
visible, but this doesn’t mean that the other pronouns are less important. It is important giving to
reader additional information about binding theory, the history and etymology of subject
pronouns and the findings of some psycholinguistic studies. Furthermore special attention will be
paid to demonstrative and personal pronouns.
20
This, That, These, Those, are called demonstratives and they are used to show the relative
distance between the speaker and the noun. We use this (singular) and these (plural) to refer to
something that is here/near.
Examples:
This is my car (singular)
These are our children (plural)
Using that (singular) and those (plural) to refer to something or someone that is there/far.
Examples:
That is our house (singular)
Those are my shoes (plural)
You can also use demonstratives before a noun. These are called demonstrative adjective. The
demonstrative adjective needs to agree (to be the same form) as the noun are.
Examples:
This party is boring(singular)
That city is busy (singular)
These chocolates are delicious (plural)
Those flowers are beautiful (plural)
Although, demonstrative pronouns and adjectives both use the same words, the best item and
also the easiest way to know the difference between these two of them, is that demonstrative
adjectives are always placed before a noun while demonstrative pronouns are placed before a
verb or only by themselves.
This book is old. (Demonstrative adjective +Noun)
This is new. (Demonstrative Pronoun +Verb )
Did you like that? (Demonstrative pronoun by itself)
Everything else about them seems to be the same, because they use the word this to talk about
21
the things that are close and the word these is used for the plural form in both cases. Time in
these kinds of pronouns is really important, if an action is near in time, we tend to use this/these.
If an action has been finished or is in the past it is used that/those.
Examples:
This is a good meal (at the time of eating)
Those girls we meet last night were silly (into the past).
Demonstrative adjectives have also the expression this, is used when talking on the
phone or when you introduce people.
Examples:
“Hello, this is Peter”.
Carol, this is my friend Simon. Simon, this is Carol.
Here the expression this used to talk about Peter, and to introduce him, as a
demonstrative adjective. While in the second example the demonstrative adjective
has the same function, the only difference here is that, two people are introduced.
4.1 PERSONAL PRONOUNS
Personal pronouns tend to come in mind when thinking about pronouns. It is because most
people use them a lot in their writing, and the most wanted and the most famous writers
instinctively know how to use personal pronouns when, or how often to use them. The main
things to remember about personal pronouns usage it is based on number, person and, gender.
Below is the 3.Table the grammatical function of number of the personal pronouns:
Personal pronouns have the grammatical function of number and by this it can be seen the
number of the pronoun. In first person, and in singular form the personal pronoun I, my, me,
when it goes to plural it becomes we, our, us. While the personal pronoun in the second person
and in the singular form, from you, your, you, it has no change so is completely the same. Only if
22
the personal pronoun in the third person, from singular form He, his, him or She, her, her , when
it goes to plural it becomes they, their, and them.
Singular Plural
First Person I,(my, me) We(our, us)
Second Person You(your, you) You(your, you)
Third Person He(his, him)
She(her, her) They( their, them)
It (its ,it)
Table 3.The grammatical function of number of the personal pronouns
He smiled at them, but I wish he would also smile at me.
you gave me, your new recipe, so of course my lasagna tastes great.
A philosophy student spends a lot of time writing papers for his or her courses.
A law student spends hours studying their law books.
They gave him to us yesterday, and we are really enjoying our new kitten.
It’s name is Sunflower.
Personal pronouns and slang go together very well, a lot of people use slang as pronouns. And in
common everyday conversation, it’s usually very acceptable using them however people and
writers probably know words like “y’all” aren’t used in scholarly writings unless a writer is
directly quoting someone else using such a word. Depending on various cultures and regions,
different versions of the plural form of the pronoun “you” are used. Other slang personal
pronouns include are used but are not limited to, E.g. “you guys” (referring to males and
females), or “you guys” and “you”. It’s only necessary, however to use “you” when addressing
more than one person. (The word “dude” or “dudes” has been used as a personal pronoun
recently too, but it’s also slang and shouldn’t be used in academic, business or formal writing.)
23
Pronoun confusion is common with certain personal:
“I” versus “me” “we” versus “us” “it” versus “they”
Confusion often occurs also around the words “your” and “you’re”. The word “your” is a
personal pronoun (refer to the Personal pronouns chart in this section), and the word “you’re” is
the contraction for the words “you are” many people get the words.
Possessive Personal Pronoun Examples:
Where is hers? (NOT):”hers”)
Theirs was the first to complete in the race. (NOT: Their’s)
His is the book next to hers. (NOT:’ her’s”)
Its characteristics are similar to the other dated sample’s characteristics. (NOT:”It’s”)
Ours is much bigger than yours. (NOT: ” your’s’’)
It’s sad that Harry’s transferring to another University. (CONTRACTION)
Here for the reader it can be a little bit confusing because of the placement of the apostrophe that
is used for contractions, where a noun or pronoun and a verb combine. The apostrophe is often
replacing a letter that has been drooped. It is placed when the missing letter would be in that
case. For example is not, has not, had not, would not, becomes isn’t, didn’t, hadn’t etc also in the
last example “It is sad that Harry is transferring to another University” when we use an
apostrophe in the beginning of the sentence “It is” becomes it’s and the name Harry takes an
apostrophe Harry’s and the whole sentence would look like this: “It’s sad that Harry’s
transferring to another University.
4.1 RESEARCH
5.1. Data Collection
The entire material for this paper is taken from books, different grammar books as listed in the
reference section in which pronouns are explained almost the same, because grammar rules are
24
all the same and cannot be changed, but different authors have different perspectives about the
application of the pronouns in everyday life. The primary sources of data came from books,
which are the most important thing when it comes to the application of different rules, reading
books, and gathering information. The second source of data came from the responders of the
questionnaire, in this case high school students. They have answered different question, simple
one, always taking in consideration the level of their English language. Based from the
information gathered, it has been possible to formulate the questionnaire. However, the
validation of this questionnaire is all linked with grammar rules in general, how are pronouns
used, how do they function in a sentence, how are they formed and last but not least how much
are them used, are they enough familiar with different types of pronouns. While conducting the
questionnaire was really important to test the student’s vocabulary and their English level, in a
sense for the capability of them to write a definition about what a pronoun is but in each of them
have to explain it in its own words. This has made the questionnaire more successful, valid and
the application of the pronouns necessary.
5.2 GRAMMATICAL NUMBER OF PRONOUNS
Since it takes the place of a noun, a pronoun must be like a noun. It has grammatical properties
of a noun and does the work as a noun does. The difference between something being plural or
singular is what we call grammatical number in English language. Like nouns, pronouns also
have the same patterns, number, gender, and case. They have a sense of number kind of
encoded into them. And the only way this plays out, is in the difference between singular and
plural in English, the only idea of being one thing, or more than one thing. And this extends
throughout the language, but what is important to mention is that how it is applied to pronouns.
Example: The singular form of the word me is me, while the plural form of the word me is us.
Here the grammatical number increases. Therefore, it is important to remember when you are
writing or speaking to keep singular and plural as well straight throughout the course of the
sentence or a paragraph because you don’t want to mislead people into thinking that you are
talking about something else. The important thing is to be consistent overall. Consequently to
establish that something is singular, you need to maintain that singularity throughout the rest of
talking about that thing in general. When it comes to the grammatical number of the pronouns, it
25
should just to make sure that the antecedent links up with a pronoun; this means that the thing
you say before you use the pronoun hat to match up completely in terms whether is singular or
plural.
Grammatical number:
A pronoun may be singular or plural.
I, me, him, she, her, it, anyone, this, that, those, etc (singular)
5.3 GRAMMATICAL GENDER OF PRONOUNS
Gender is a grammatical classification, which in English language applies primarily to the
third-person singular on personal pronouns. Furthermore are called as, grammatical gender.
English language is a little bit more different than other languages and no longer has the
feminine and masculine inflection for nouns and determiners. English has replaced it by a
natural gender an development which assumed to have taken place in late Old English and
early Middle English ,i.e. roughly between the 10th
and the 14th
century (Dieter Kastovsky,
”Inflectional Classes, Morphological Restructuring and the Dissolution of Old English
Grammatical Gender.” Gender in Grammar, and Cognition, ed. by Barbara Unterbeck and
Matti Mouton de Gryter, 1999) .The loose of gender has diverged in Old English and Old
Norse, this has made day by day the elimination of the gender case just because to avoid
confusion of learning the other contrastive system. The gender case it has its own difficulty
this happens more often than not to ignore the sex/gender of some animals but still refer to
them with gendered forms. A lot of people use indiscriminately she for cats and he for
dogs.(Penelope Eckert and Sally McConnell-GINET, Language and Gender 2nd
ed.
Cambridge University Press,2013).This can be also said for cars, and nonliving things.
Examples:
“I smiled back at him and toyed all of the gadgets in the car’
“Oh she’s nice, isn’t she? This is top of the line here, ’he told me.
“Why do men refer to cars as she? ’I asked just for the hell of it.
26
“Because we’re men,’ Byron answered. He laughed a strong hearty laugh. Maybe it was
too hearty. He was really pleased with his sale”.
Gender and Third-Person Singular pronouns
The third-person singular contrast in gender:
The masculine gender pronoun he is used for males-humans-animals that have enough
characteristics for us to think of them as differentiated(especially for gorillas, usually for
ducks, probably not for rats ,certainly not for cockroaches).The feminine gender pronoun she
is used for females of course, and also, by extension, for certain other things conventionally
treated in a similar way and not being discriminated: political entities and also certain
personified inanimate, especially ships (May God bless her and all who sail in her) referring
with respect to the ship. As these two famous grammars (Huddleston, Pullum, 2015) agree
that: English language has also the neuter pronoun it is used for inanimate, or for male and
female animals (mostly for lower animals and non-cuddly creatures), and sometimes for
human beings if the “sex” is unknown and is irrelevant, there is no singular 3rd
person
pronoun in English is not good for referring to a human when you don’t want to specify the
sex.
English language has also the neuter pronoun it is used for inanimate, or for male and female
animals (mostly for lower animals and non-cuddly creatures), and sometimes for human
beings if the “sex” is unknown and is irrelevant, there is no singular 3rd
person pronoun in
English is not good for referring to a human when you don’t want to specify the sex. The
pronoun here in most cases is they, of course in a secondary use that is interpreted
semantically as singular”(Huddleston, Pullum, (2015).
Agreement with Indefinites:
Thus Scar said that “Under close scrutiny, (the rule mandating singular agreement with
indefinites emerges as pragmatically cumbersome, linguistically unreliable, and ideologically
provocative rule, which entered the canon under false pretenses”. (Scar, 1998:143)
27
5.4 GRAMMATICAL PERSON OF THE PRONOUNS
Grammatical person tells the relationship between the speaker and also the participants. More
specifically, it is a reference to a participant in an event; it can be a speaker the addressee,
recipient of the speaker’s communication. Grammatical person usually, and most of the time
has the set of personal pronouns used by the speaker. It also affects verbs.
There are three grammatical persons in English:
First person This is I when used to talk about myself. I is always singular. This is we
when used to talk about a group which I is the member. We is plural.
Second person This is you. Second person is used when referring to the addressee.
The addressee may be singular or plural; it all depends on how many individuals are being
addressed.
Third person This is he, she, it, and they. Third person is used when referring to any person,
place, or thing other than the speaker and the addressee.
Below is Table 4). That is outlining personal pronouns and their grammatical case of
the persons.
PRONOUN PERSON PLURALITY GENDER
I first person singular -
You second person singular -
He third person singular masculine/neutral
She third person singular feminine
It
third person singular neutral
We first person plural -
They third person plural/singular -
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You all/you guys/
y’all (slang)
second person plural -
Table 4 Personal pronouns, and their grammatical case of number.
Personal pronoun as every pronoun in English language has their grammatical case of
number, gender, person, and case. In this table it can be seen the grammatical case of
number, the grammatical case of person and the grammatical case of gender as well.
The personal pronoun “I” is on first person, singular and it has no gender.
The personal pronoun “You” is on second person, singular and it has no gender.
The personal pronoun “He” is on third person, singular, and it can be
masculine/neutral.
The personal pronoun “She” is on third person, singular, and it is in the feminine
gender.
The personal pronoun “It” is on third person, singular, and it is neutral.
The personal pronoun “We” is on first person, plural, and it has no gender specified.
The personal pronoun “They” is on third person, plural/singular, and no gender
specified.
In the last column of the table it can be seen some slang word which are not used that
much in language in use but sometimes are used in writings, “You all”/you guys/ and
as a slang is in second person, plural and it has no gender.
5.5. GRAMMATICAL CASE OF THE PRONOUNS
Case refers to the different forms, associated with the different jobs a noun or a pronoun does in
a sentence. In other words case is the grammatical function of a noun or a pronoun. There are
only three cases in English language, they are subjective (he), objective (him), and possessive
(his).
They may look more familiar if saying them from the old English literature. There are more good
29
effects on this and you cannot go wrong here, because English language got rid of most of the
cases and because nouns and some indefinite pronouns (anyone, someone, everyone, and so on)
they have only a distinctive case form door the possessive. There are just a few amounts of
pronouns that are from old English that have distinctive forms in all three cases and should be
used a bit more carefully. The pronouns cases are so simple though. There are only three of them
which make them looking easy and understandable.
A. Subjective case: pronouns are used only as a subject.
B. Objective case: pronouns are used only as objects of verbs or prepositions.
C. Possessive case: pronouns which express ownership.
Subjective/Nominative:
I, You, he, she, it, we, they, who
Objective/Accusative:
Me, You, him, her, it, us, them, whom
Possessive /Genitive:
Mine, yours, hers, it’s, ours, theirs, whose, his, hers.
All of these pronouns, and who and its compounds, are the only words that are inflected in
all three cases, objective, possessive, subjective). In nouns there is a difference here because
the subjective and the objective case are indistinguishable, and are called the common case.
A result of this simplicity is that, the sense of case that now is being almost lost; the few
mistakes that can be made are made often, even by native speakers, some of them that they
are now almost right by recommendation.
4. FINDINGS
Based on all findings, pronouns are very important and they should be used. Using
pronouns is a possible solution in making sentences look less repetitive and less
30
uninteresting, because saying a word or a name several times it becomes monotonous and
awkward. Therefore, what most of the famous grammars agree is that pronouns should be
used as much as it is possible. They are important and they take a place on English
language .Throughout this paper from all the examples, binding theory, grammar rules,
and from the responders of the questionnaire it is enough to convey the reader and the
audience that the role of the pronouns in grammar and in English in general is
irreplaceable, there is no part of the speech like pronouns, they are easy to understand at
least that is what teachers and professionals say but this can be also seen from the
responders of the questionnaire, that they have been able to understand and to answer
each and every question perfectly and they agree that the pronouns are welcomed and
they use them every day. The analysis, which is made, has fulfilled us to believe that
pronouns seriously should be taken in consideration as an important part of speech and
should take place in English language forever. To many people, this will seem as a small
semantic issue and hardly worth thinking about. To the other one will seem a very big
deal indeed, so it is just a matter of priority. To complete the importance of the pronouns
it is really important to inform that how familiar are they with this part of speech,
pronouns. The responders were high-school students, all of them were same aged , it is
important to mention the age because they are all in the same age but their English level
differs .Some of the responders had differences on saying that what a pronoun is but they
explained it in their own which is really important and logical ,in the other question they
had to mention how many types of pronouns do they use and know, here they all
answered correctly and said that they use 80 % of the time demonstrative and personal
pronouns since they are more considered necessary. The following question had to do
with the difference between demonstrative pronouns and the demonstrative adjectives,
since they look almost the same, they had to list at three differences, and here they had a
little bit difficulty because they knew that they aren’t the same but they didn’t know what
makes them different. The other question had to do with the grammatical function of
pronouns here the student answered correctly and they had their own opinions about
gender, number, person, and case. A lot of the students said that gender is the most
important thing about pronouns and some of them said that number is what makes them
special. 75% of the students agreed that the grammatical function of the gender should
31
still be present nowadays since they have been informed that it is just a matter of time
and the gender issue maybe will not exist in the years that are coming. Only 25 % of the
overall number of the participants of the questionnaire agreed that the number is the most
important as a grammatical function to pronouns. Each and every student had to find out
the grammatical person used in sentences, here they did not have any difficulty and this
makes the hypothesis more valid and true that students are really well-known with this
important part of speech, so pronouns.
6.1. RESULTS
Based on the responders of the questionnaire, it has been seen that pronouns should be
used in sentences because they are necessary and they take their place in language in use.
The answers of the questionnaire are as it follows:
Question Nr.1 - Write a definition in your own words, what you understand by the word”
pronoun’?
- Here the responders didn’t have any difficulties since they are well-known with this part
of speech, and they are able to complete this definition even though they had different
opinions. Parts of the responders were 20 students from high school and it is need to give
some of the answers that these students did.
Definition1.A pronoun is a word that functions as a noun itself.
Definition 2.A pronoun is a word or a group of words, which take place in English
language to substitute nouns in general.
Definition 3.Pronoun is a word that, it is used to get rid of the repetition of nouns.
Each and every student has answered correctly this question.
32
The 2nd question was: How many pronouns does the English language have? And the
answers were as it can be seen in this chart. From 20 students which was the total
number, 4 of them have selected the first option which was six types of pronouns, 9 of
them have selected the third option which was the correct one, nine types of pronouns, 6
of them have selected the fourth option which was ten types of pronouns, and the last
student, have selected the second option which was eight types of pronouns and it was
incorrect.
The 3d question was: What is the main difference between the demonstrative and
personal pronouns? List at least three items.
Here the responders had some difficulties for the simple reason that, they know which
one are the demonstrative and which one are the personal pronouns but they didn’t know
what makes them different. Therefore only 50% of the students were able to answer
correctly, and the rest of them left the paper blank.
Answer Nr.1. Personal pronouns are just that personal, relating to a person or persons,
while the demonstrative pronouns refer only to things only.
Answer Nr.2. Demonstrative pronouns can function as a determiner, while personal
pronouns can only be used to avoid repetition within sentences.
Answer Nr.3. A demonstrative pronoun points something, while a personal pronoun
9
six typeseight typesnine typesten types
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
33
can’t do this; personal pronouns are an entirely different category of a word and exist in
some languages.
The fourth question was: Are demonstrative pronouns and demonstrative adjectives
completely the same or not? And the students answered as it can be seen in this chart.
From 20 students, 1 of them has selected the first option which was yes they are, 12
students have selected the third option which was the correct one, yes they have
something in common, 3 students have selected the fourth option, which was they are
completely different, and 4 students have selected the second option which was a negative
one, no they aren’t.
In the 4th
question the students had also difficulties because they had to write the
grammatical person used in each sentence, and this was a little bit confusing.
Examples: He walked to the market-------third person singular
A. I want to go the cinema.------------first person singular
B. They were very tired.--------------third person plural
12
yes they are no they aren'tyes they havesomething in
common
they arecompletely
different
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
34
C. You can use my calculator.---------second person singular
D. I am leaving.---------------second person singular
This is the part of the questionnaire that students found it difficult and have face with
some problems, but still they were able to find the right answers even though not that
fast.
The 5th
question was: Which are Personal pronouns in English language?
Here, each and every student have answered correctly and have listed them. 20 of the
students have written all personal pronouns that are in English language.
The 6th
question was almost the same as the sixth one but here students have to say:
Which are Demonstrative pronouns in English language?
Student were able to answer correctly and to say one by one, and also giving extra
information about demonstrative pronouns like, yes they are determiners, they
demonstrate things that are near to us, or that aren’t near to us etc.
The 7th
question was: What do you think? Which type of the pronouns is more used?
As it is mentioned before 80% of the students approved that demonstrative and personal
are more used in general but when it comes on choosing between demonstrative and
personal ones 12 of the students said that demonstrative pronouns are more used and 8 of
them said that personal pronouns are more used.
The last question, the 8th
questions was: Which are the grammatical function of the
pronouns and which one is more important?
Here the students have answered correctly and have listed four grammatical functions of
pronouns which are gender, number, person, and case. After mentioning the grammatical
functions of the pronouns, 75% of the students approved that the grammatical function of
gender is the most important one since they know that the gender issue may not exist in
the years that are upcoming.
7. CONCLUSION
Even though in each paragraph of this thesis, the importance and the role of the pronouns
is exceptional and words sometimes aren’t good enough to express what we share in our
35
minds, and that’s why we have used a lot of examples throughout the paper. Both
demonstrative and personal pronouns have its own importance in English language and
you cannot say which one is more important since they are special in their own way.
Using them as much as it is possible makes the speech more academic, our writing more
sophisticated and our knowledge richer in a way. Pronouns are incredibly elementary, we
learn them at a young age as a required grammar lesson, and although grammar on it is
exceptionally important, pronouns are also drastically important when it comes to
identification communication. Although, we are all decent, civil human beings, it will
encourage you to portray that, and to make pronoun communication as a regular habit.
Different authors, different perspectives, it doesn’t matter since in the end of the time
there are rules that make the importance of the pronouns applicable and reliable. Not only
English language but also our native language, the Albanian one has an extremely need in
using pronouns, even though these two variety of languages has a lot of differences and
also a lot of similarities.
To conclude, it is really important to state that pronouns are used a lot and they should
also use them more in the future because they have a great impact and they play an
important role in grammar itself. They are irreplaceable, the function that they have in
sentences is and will be always necessary, even though grammar rules are changing day
by day and they are becoming simpler, for the simple reason that, technology has made
everything different and easier, but we will always need the grammar rules, maybe like
they were in Old English Literature as well.
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8. APPENDIX
How much do you know about Pronouns?
1).Write a definition in your own words, what you understand by the word “pronoun
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2). How many pronouns do the English Language has?
1. Six types of pronouns
2. Eight types of pronouns
3. Nine types of pronouns
4. Ten types of pronouns
3).What is the main difference between demonstrative and personal pronouns? List at least three
things
-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------
4).Are demonstrative pronouns and demonstrative adjectives completely the same or not?
1. Yes they are
2. No they aren’t
3. Yes they have something in common
4. They are completely different
5).Write the grammatical person used in each sentence in the space to the right
Example: He walked to the market.--------third person singular
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1. I want to go to the cinema.----------------
2.They were very tired.-----------------------
3. We did not go to the park.-----------------
4. You can use my calculator.----------------
5. You are so funny!---------------------------
6. You are nice, Mark said---------------------
7. I am leaving!----------------------------------
8. Olivia knew John was in trouble------------
6) Which are Personal pronouns in English language?
--------------------------------------------------------------
7) Which are Demonstrative pronouns in English language?
----------------------------------------------------------------
8) Which type of the pronouns is more used?
----------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------
9).Which are the grammatical function of pronouns and which one is more important?
1.
2.
3.
4.
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Huang, (2000) Anaphora: A Cross-Linguistic Approach/Oxford University Press pg 5).
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