unit 7 pronouns

PronounsPronouns are words that replace

noun-phrases1. John smiled.

2. He smiled.

3. The girl smiled.

4. She smiled.

5. The nice students smiled.

6. They smiled.

PronounsIt is often the case that a pronoun MUST replace a noun-phrase:

1. *The man bought lunch and then the man ate it.

2. The man bought lunch and then he ate it.

3. The teacher: “*Nadav Sabar is the teacher of LCD 120”.

4. I am the teacher of LCD 120.

5. *John told Mary that John likes Mary.

6. John told Mary that he likes her.

PronounsBelow are some common pronouns of English: I, us, we, them, they, me, him, she, her, he.

Divide these pronouns into two groups based on which can appear in each sentence below:

1. ______ like/likes John. 2. John likes ________.

Give a title to each group of pronouns.

Pronouns

________ like/s John. IYouHeSheItWe They

Subject Pronouns

Pronouns

John likes _______meyouherhimitusthem

Object Pronouns

Subject and Object Pronouns

Subject and Object Pronouns are the only words in English that CHANGE depending on whether they are the subject or the object of a sentence:

1. Jake likes Mary. 3. Mary likes Jake.

2. He likes her.4. She likes him.

5. Nadav and the class study linguistics.

7. John saw Nadav and the class.

9. The boys met the girls.

6. We study linguistics.

8. John saw us.

10. They met them.

Subject and Object PronounsWhy is the following sentence starred? 1. *Jane walked beside I.

First note: “I” is NOT the object of the sentence. Recall that prepositions MUST be followed by NPs. The NP that follows the preposition is called:

“Object of a Preposition”. A Subject Pronoun CANNOT be the Object of a

Preposition! 2. Jane walked beside me.

Subject and Object PronounsFirst Person Pronouns refer to the speaker/s: I, we, me, us

Second person pronouns refer to the

listener/s:You

Third person pronouns refer to anyone or

anything that is NOT part of the conversation: He, she, it, they, him, her, them

Person SubjectObject

1st Singular: IMe

1st Plural:WeUs

2nd Singular:YouYou

2nd Plural: YouYou

3rd Singular: He, She, ItHim, Her, It

3rd Plural:TheyThem

Are the following pronouns Subject or Object, singular or plural?

wethemherIushim

theymeheSheYouit

Challenge Question

What can you learn about Subject and Object Pronouns in the English of Shakespeare, based on the quote below?

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?Thou art more lovely and more temperate. - Shakespeare, Sonnet 18

2nd Challenge Question

Could an Object Pronoun be the subject of a subordinate clause?

Homework

Read and do all the exercises of lesson 21

Reflexive Pronouns

1. John saw him in the picture.

Who does “him” refer to? Who could NOT be the referent of “him”?

2. John saw himself in the picture. Here, “himself” MUST refer to John.

Reflexive PronounsReflexive pronouns are used whenever we want to refer to the same person or

thing within the same clause. Examples: 1. She is proud of herself. 2. They talked about themselves. 3. We saw ourselves in the mirror. 4. You think so highly of yourself.

Reflexive PronounsWhy do we say that Reflexive Pronouns refer to the same person or thing within the same clause, and NOT within the same sentence? Observe: 1.[John thinks] [that he is smart]. 2.*[John thinks] [that himself is smart]. 3.[Mary ate] [while she was reading]. 4.*[Mary ate] [while herself was reading]. 5.[Mike slept] and then [he ate lunch]. 6.*[Mike slept] and then [himself ate lunch].

Reflexive Pronouns

There are 8 Reflexive Pronouns in English:

Myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves.

Just like Subject Pronouns and Object Pronouns (in fact like ALL pronouns),

Reflexive Pronouns replace a noun-phrase.

To enhance your understandingSubject and Object Pronouns could be obligatory: 1. *John ate breakfast and then John left for

school. 2. John ate breakfast and then he left for school.

Subject and Object Pronouns are sometimes optional:

3. (pointing at John I say ) He forgot his coat. OR: John forgot his coat.

To enhance your understandingReflexive Pronouns, however, are ALWAYS obligatory:

1. *John talks to John sometimes. 2. John talks to himself sometimes.

“Obligatory” means that if you NEED to use a reflexive, then you MUST use a reflexive.

Otherwise it would appear that you are NOT talking about the same person or thing.

Challenge QuestionCan a reflexive pronoun be the subject of a sentence? If yes, how? If no, why not?

Reflexive pronouns are always the object of a sentence, or the object of a preposition!!

Examples:1. *Myself ate the cake.2. I ate the cake by myself. 3. *Herself likes her.4. She likes herself.

Homework


Find the reflexive pronouns

1. They were proud of themselves.2. She bought herself an expensive scarf.3. We covered ourselves with a warm blanket.4. You should be ashamed of yourselves for

talking like that!5. I wrote myself a note to call my sister later

in the evening.6. The answer revealed itself pretty quickly.

Demonstrative PronounsRecall that the demonstratives in English are…

This, that, these, those

When demonstratives are followed by a noun, they are…

Determiners!

When they are NOT followed by a noun they are:

Demonstrative Pronouns

Demonstrative PronounsAre the underlined words determiners or pronouns?

1. That looks tasty. 2. That pizza looks tasty. 3. These shoes don’t fit. 4. These are perfect. 5. I like those hats. 6. I want to try those. 7. She tried this cake. 8. You must see this.

Demonstrative Pronouns

Pronouns replace NPs. Observe that demonstrative pronouns indeed replace NPs: 1. She wants to eat that cake. 2. She wants to eat that. 3. He picked out these shoes. 4. He picked out these. Note:ALL demonstratives point at something!

Homework


Are the underlined words demonstrative pronouns or determiners?

1. These are not for sale.2. This information is confidential.3. Do those keys on the table belong to

you?4. I never thought your cousin would buy

that house.5. That is the funniest thing I’ve ever

heard!

6. These earrings are not for sale, but would you like to look at those?

7. That shop on the corner is going out of business.

8. I don’t care for those misleading ads.9. Do you want this one or that?10. Elaine is one of those people who can

learn languages easily.

Possessive PronounsRecall that the possessives in English are…

His, her, my, your, its, our, their

When possessives are followed by a noun, they are…

Determiners!

When they are NOT followed by a noun they are:

Possessive Pronouns(Also known as: Nominal possessives)

Possessive Pronouns

Actually, only two of the possessives have the same exact form whether they are pronouns or determiners:

His, its

The rest of the possessive pronouns look slightly different from the determiners-

These are ALL the possessive pronouns:Mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, theirs

Possessive PronounsAre the underlined words determiners or pronouns?

1. They didn’t laugh at my joke but they did laugh at his.

2. His homework was better than mine. 3. Her shoes don’t fit. 4. Yours are perfect. 5. Can she have some of his for lunch? 6. I want to try his. 7. She tried their cake.

Possessive Pronouns

Recall that pronouns replace NPs. Observe that Possessive pronouns indeed replace NPs:

1. She wants to wear his coat. 2. She wants to wear his. 3. Who picked out your shoes? 4. Who picked out yours?

Homework


Identify all the pronouns. Say what kind of pronoun it is!

1. My daughter is older than yours.2. That grocery store across the street

used to be mine.3. His story holds up better than hers.4. Thank you for inviting us over for

dinner – the pleasure was ours.5. We can’t buy that car – its trunk is too

small.

6. The error was entirely his.7. Theirs is the best idea I’ve heard so

far.8. This is a wonderful book – it’s a

shame that its author is not well known.

9. This is your business, not mine.10. Her education will prepare her for a

good job.

Tests of DistributionThey enjoyed themselves at her house. They enjoyed themselves at _______ house.

thisthatone*him*me*them

This slot is appropriate for Determiners!!

This slot is NOT appropriate for Pronouns!!

Tests of DistributionDespite his old age, he is very nice. Despite ______ old age, he is very nice.

thethatsome*you*us*them



Tests of DistributionShe convinced her husband to accept the job. She convinced _______ husband to accept the job.

somethatthis*it*me*him



Interrogative PronounsInterrogative Pronouns are simply- Question words.

There are 9 interrogative pronouns: How, what, when, where,

which, who, whom, whose, why

When these words are used to actually ask question, they are Interrogative Pronouns

Interrogative Pronouns

We’ve already seen question words function as…

Subordinating conjunctions. But as subordinating conjunctions no questions were ever involved!

When these words are used to actually ask questions, they are interrogative pronouns!

Observe that interrogative pronouns indeed replace NPs:

1. The tall man came to the party. 2. Who came to the party?

In sentence (2) the word “who” stands in place of a NP.

3. You ate the tasty soup. 4. What did you eat? In sentence (4) the word “what” stands in place

of a NP.

Interrogative PronounsHowever, not all Interrogative Pronouns replace NPs.

The following Interrogative Pronouns typically do replace NPs:

What, Who, Whom, (Which). Examples:John ate a banana. What did John eat? John saw Fred. Who did John see? John met with Fred. With whom did John meet? John wants that one. Which does John want?

Interrogative PronounsThe following Interrogative Pronouns typically replace PPs:

Where, When, (Why)Examples:John went to school. Where did John go? John ate at 12. When did John eat? John stayed home because of the rain. Why did John stay home?

Interrogative PronounsThe following Interrogative Pronoun typically replaces Adjective - Phrases:

HowExamples: The movie was good. How was the movie. She feels excellent. How does she feel?

Interrogative PronounsThe following Interrogative Pronouns typically replace a determiner:

(Which), (Whose)Example: John likes this car. Which car does John like?John went to Mary’s party. Whose party did John go to?

Note: The difference between “whose” and “who’s”!!

Interrogative Pronouns

To conclude, it doesn’t really matter what part of speech the interrogative pronoun replaces. You just need to recognize that it replaces something.

Remember that question words are NOT always interrogative pronouns. If they relate two sentences then they are either Subordinating Conjunctions, OR… Relative Pronouns, to which we move next.

Homework



1. Whose answer is more plausible: his or mine?

2. Why are you working so late?3. Which do you like better?4. At whose house will the party be

held?5. To whom do I have the pleasure of

speaking?

6. How did she arrive at that conclusion?

7. When will we take our lunch break?

8. What is it about this candidate that you don’t like?

9. Where did your sister meet her?

10. Who is going to clean up your mess?

11. We came across a friend of ours at the mall yesterday.

12. I can't find my pencil. Can I use yours?

Subjects and Predicates- Review

It is easy to identify the predicate of a sentence:

Simply look for the verb!

Every sentence of English has a verb.

The subject of the sentence answers the questions: Who or What predicate?

Note: Direct objects also answer the questions: Who or What.

However, direct objects appear AFTER the verb, while subjects appear BEFORE the verb.

Example: 1. John sold his car. To find the object we ask: What did John sell? To find the subject we ask: Who sold his car?

Subjects and Predicates1. John ate. What’s the verb? So, what is the predicate? Who ate? So, what is the subject? 2. The tall man slept all night. What’s the predicate? What’s the subject? 3. The winds blew strong. 4. The chair broke yesterday.

Eat. Ate. John.John.

Slept.The tall man.

Every clause has a subject and a predicate!!

1. [I think] [that Frank is a good man] [but he isn’t right for the job].

2. [While they were eating], [darkness descended over the campsite].

3. After she finished working she was late for our meeting, but I wasn’t upset.

4. Although Susan doesn’t live in the U.S., her English is excellent.

5. They acted as if nothing happened, and that was quite insensitive of them.

Identify all the pronouns, the clauses, the subjects and predicates

1. She thought that the assignment was a great opportunity for her. 2. Although She doesn’t live in the U.S., her English is excellent, but his is quite poor. 3. While she was waiting she was reading a book, so she didn’t notice when I arrived. 4. Why did you think that they were home? 5. How can you live with yourself? 6. That book isn’t yours. You know it’s mine.

Relative PronounsJohn knows the guy who is teaching this class.

The pronoun “who” replaces the NP “the guy”.

Relative pronouns start clauses that describe a NP.

This clause is called a Relative Clause!

So, Relative clauses describe NPs

Relative Pronouns“the girl who lives around the corner”What is the relative clause here? “who lives around the corner” You know this is a clause because there’s a verb!!! What NP is “who” replacing? “The girl”What is the predicate of the relative cluase? “lives around the corner”What is the subject of the relative clause? “Who”

Relative PronounsJane is looking for the man who just left. What is the relative clause? “who just left” You know this is a clause because there’s a verb!!!What NP is “who” replacing? “The man”What is the predicate of the relative clause? “left”What is the subject of the relative clause? “Who”

Relative PronounsI just read the book which you recommended. What is the relative clause? “which you recommended”What NP is “which” replacing? “the book”What is the subject of the relative clause? “you”What is the predicate of the relative clause? “recommended”Is this the WHOLE predicate? Recommended what? “which”

Conclusion: The relative pronoun isn’t always the subject of the relative clause!

Relative Pronouns• Relative pronouns are always the first word of a

relative clause.• The relative pronoun always replaces a NP.• Most question words can be relative pronouns.• Relative clauses describe a NP!

More examples: 1. John met the woman who lives here. Main Clause: John met the woman. Relative Clause: who lives here. What NP does “who” replace?

who = the woman.

Relative PronounsJohn saw the movie that Jane talked about.

What is the relative clause? “that Jane talked about”What NP is “that” replacing? “the movie”What is the subject of the relative clause? “Jane”What is the predicate of the relative clause? “talked about”Is this the whole predicate? talked about what? “that” The word “that” can be a relative pronoun.

Relative PronounsBill bought the cake that Sue asked for.

What is the relative clause? “that Sue asked for”What NP is “that” replacing? “the cake”What is the subject of the relative clause? “Sue”What is the predicate of the relative clause? “Asked for”Is this the whole predicate? Asked for what? “that”

Relative Pronouns2. She bought the pizza that had olives on it. Main Clause: She bought the pizza. Relative Clause: that had olives on it.

that = the pizza. 3. He saw the movie which came out yesterday. Main Clause: He saw the movie. Relative Clause: which came out yesterday.

which = the movie.

Relative PronounsIn the following sentence say what NP the relative pronoun replaces:

1. He saw the show that everyone talked

about.2. She knows the place where we met. 3. They sold the house which had a backyard.4. John talked to the woman who lives here. 5. Jane met the guy whose car this is. 6. He likes the girl whom he fought with.

Relative PronounsRelative Pronouns – Conclusion: When a question word/the word “that” starts a clause that describes a NP, then the question word/the word “that” is a:

Relative Pronoun

What is the relative pronoun in the sentence above?

Relative PronounsRelative clauses may interrupt a main clause in the

middle: 1. John thinks that the boy who lives here is nice. Main Clause: John think the boy is nice. Relative Clause: who lives here.

who = the boy 2. He believes the man who is sitting there is innocent. Main Clause: He believes the man is innocent. Relative Clause: who is sitting there.

who = the man

Relative PronounsChallenge question: - Make up sentences with the words

“why”, “when”, “where” and “whose” as relative pronouns.

(1) Identify the Relative Pronoun, (2) say what NP it replaces, and (3) Identify the main and the relative clauses:

1. I talked to the girl whose car had broken down in front of the shop.

2. Mr Richards, who is a taxi driver, lives here.3. We often visit our aunt in Norwich, which is in

Eastern Europe.4. This is the girl who came from Spain.5. Peter is the boy who has just arrived to school.6. What did you do with the money which she lent

you?

Relative Pronouns vs. Subordinating Conjunctions

What is the difference between subordinating conjunctions and relative pronouns?

1. Subordinating conjunctions don’t replace NPs. Relative pronouns do replace a NP.

2. Subordinate clauses don’t describe a NP. Relative clauses do describe a NP.


1. John thought that the meal was tasty.

Clause I: John thought.

Clause II: that the meal was tasty.

that = ?

Result: “that” in (1) is NOT a relative pronoun. It

is a subordinating conjunction.


2. John wants to know who came to the party. Clause I: John wants to know. Clause II: who came to the party.

who = ? Result: “who” in (2) is a subordinating conjunction!3. John knows the people who came to the party. Clause I: John knows the people. Clause II: who came to the party.

who = the peopleResult: “who” in (3) is a relative pronoun.

The word “that”We’ve seen the word “that” functioning as four different parts of speech:

I. Demonstrative Determiner I like that car.

II. Demonstrative Pronoun I like that.

III. Subordinating Conjunction She thinks that apples are tasty.

IV. Relative Pronoun I like the book that you read.

Step-by-step procedure for identifying the word “that”

I. If “that” is used to point, it is a demonstrative. If it is followed by a noun, it’s a Determiner. If it is NOT followed by a noun, it’s a Pronoun.

II. If “that” is NOT pointing, it’s relating two clauses.

If it replaces a NP, it is a Relative Pronoun - the Relative Clause is describing the NP.

If it does NOT replace a NP, it is a Subordinating Conjunction.

The word “that” – Distribution tests

I read that book. your

*itResult: Determiner!

I read that. *your itResult: Dem. Pronoun!

I saw the kid that cried. who *while Result: Relative Pronoun!

I saw that you cried. *who while ateResult: Conjunction!

Step-by-step procedure for identifying Question Words

I. If a question word is used to actually ask a question, it is an interrogative pronoun.

Example: What did you eat? II. If it is NOT used to ask a question, it is relating two

clauses.If it replaces a NP, it is a Relative Pronoun - the

Relative Clause is describing the NP. Example: I know the boy [who lives here]. If it does NOT replace a NP from the main clause, it

is a Subordinating Conjunction. Example: I don’t know [when the movie starts].

Homework


Possessives: Pronouns vs. DeterminersDeterminers

my yourhis her its our their

Pronouns mineyours

hishersits

ours theirs

Determiners are always followed a noun: Her laptopYour pizza

*Hers laptop

*Yours pizza

What part of speech are the underlined words?

1. Our car has been working well. 2. Your parents threw you a surprise party. 3. If only he did this for me I would be his forever. 4. They pride themselves on their accomplishment. 5. Ours is the best car here. 6. He got his portion and she got hers. 7. My name is mine.


1. The directors whose movies I enjoy the most, tend to be from Europe.

2. You can give him the answer that he is waiting for, so why won’t you?

3. The picture which hangs in our dining room is too big for us, but that’s o.k. by me.

4. She is greeting the guests who arrived at her dinner party, and that’s very nice of her.

5. The kitten that was born a few days ago is his. She’s asleep under her blanket.

6. I couldn’t understand the document that I had written myself.

7. You should seek advice from your friend whom you trust the most with this.

8. We usually watch TV in the room which is in the back of our house.

9. The gas station attendant who gave us directions to that park was courteous.

10. We are playing tennis with the woman who won that yesterday.

unit 7 pronouns

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