The pronouns

A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun or noun phrase. Below is a list of the primary types of pronouns and examples of each.

Demonstrative Pronouns: this, that, these, those
Indefinite Pronouns: each, anybody, everyone, few
Intensive and Reflexive Pronouns: myself, yourself, herself, themselves
Interrogative Pronouns: who, what, which
Personal Pronouns: I, you, her, our
Relative Pronouns: that, which, who, whom, whose

Pronouns are used to avoid excessive repetition of the noun they replace. Substituting some nouns with pronouns can improve the readability of a sentence.

Without pronouns: Heinrich asked Patty to give Heinrich Patty’s phone number.
With pronouns: Heinrich asked Patty to give him her phone number.

A pronoun’s antecedent is the noun or phrase to which the pronoun refers. A pronoun and its antecedent should agree in number, person, and gender.

See also Gender; Number; and Person.