August 25, 2025

Pronouns: A Comprehensive Guide to Using Them Effectively

Pronouns are words used in place of nouns that are mentioned earlier in a sentence to avoid repetition of the latter.

Kinds of pronoun

  1. Personal pronouns are used in place of nouns to denote persons.

‘He, she, it, they, you, I, we.’

Subjects Objects Possessive adjectives Possessive pronouns
I    (I person)

We

Me

Us

My

Our

Mine

Ours

You (II person) You Your Yours
He  (III person)

She

It

They

Him

Her

It

Them

His

Her

Its

Their

His

Hers(masculine possessive pronoun)

Theirs

 

(a.)Subject pronouns

Pankaj is studying now. He is very talented.

(b.) Object pronouns (indirect objects)

Atul presented me with a beautiful gift.

She provided me with some cash.

(c.) Possessive adjectives + noun

Sheetal is my friend.

(d.) Possessive pronouns

Possessive pronouns                possessive adjectives

Mine                                            = my + noun

Ours                                             = our + noun

Yours                                            = your + noun

His                                                 = his +noun

Hers                                              = her + noun

Theirs                                            = their + noun

Have you seen the jacket? That’s mine. = That is my jacket

This car is yours. = This is your car.

Hers is not green.

 

  1. Reflexive pronouns

These refer back to the subjects of the sentence or clause for emphasis.

Personal pronouns Reflexive pronouns
I Myself
We Ourselves
You Yourself
He Himself
She Herself
It Itself
They Themselves

 

 Some following verbs are used reflexively.

Absent, acquit, adapt, adjust, address, amuse, apply, assert, avail, avenge, busy, cheat, enjoy, exert, hurt, introduce, present, pride, reconcile, resign

  1. He hurt himself.
  2. She resigned herself from the post.
  • My son introduced himself at the party.
  1. I enjoyed myself in the cinema hall.
  2. He enjoyed the film. (reflexive pronoun is used without object)

Some following verbs are used without reflexive pronouns

Bathe, conceal, hide, keep, move, qualify, qualify, rest, spread, stay, stop

  1. He has qualified himself for SSC CGL. (remove himself)
  2. She hid the money under the carpets.    (correct)
  • You kept yourself in the kitchen.   (remove yourself)
  1. I stopped myself from going to the pub.  (remove myself)

Reflexive pronouns are not used as a subject and object in the sentence

  1. Herself is going to Dubai. (use ‘she’ in the place of ‘herself’)
  2. She has transferred money for himself. (change ‘himself into him)
  3. An emphatic or intensive pronoun

what is emphatic pronoun?

It emphasizes the work which is done by the subject.

I myself solve the riddles.

She herself cooks.

  1. Demonstrative pronouns are used for nouns to indicate the objects.
  2. This, that, these, those, neither, none, such, etc.
  3. This is my rocking chair.
  • That was my dog which I sold last year.
  1. These are my favorite dresses.
  2. Those were not good glasses.
  3. Neither is allowed to go from here.

But if this/that/these/those/neither/none/such + noun is used, we call it demonstrative adjectives.

  1. This palace           That money
  2. Such a beautiful girl Neither girl

 

  1. Indefinite pronouns don’t indicate any specific noun.

It’s vague that is not definite.

Singular

Everyone, everybody, someone, somebody, anyone, anybody, no one, nobody, Nothing, something, anything, either, neither, one, each, another, all + singular verb

  1. Everyone wants to live luxury life.
  2. Somebody ate my lunch.
  • No one is studying in the class.
  1. One should do one’s duty.
  2. Neither of them is going to coaching classes.
  3. Something has been stolen.
  • Nothing is chargeable.
  • All was destroyed by fire.
  1. Each has the right to live.

Plural

Much, several, others, both, few, fewer, many, some + plural verb

  1. Several returned home.
  2. Others are playing football.
  • Both are good in English.
  1. Few students were present.
  2. Many are absent today.
  3. Some are playing on the ground now.

Note: something, someone/somebody  + and Nothing, nobody/no one –

Somebody didn’t come.  (x)

Nobody came.   (√)

Nobody hasn’t done it. (x)

Nobody has done it. (√)

Any/anybody/ anyone is used in interrogative form

Does anybody know it?

Anyone goes there. (x)    Someone goes there. (x)

Is anyone going there?   (√)

An apostrophe is used with an indefinite pronoun to indicate a possessive case

  1. Is anybody’s relative live in Shimla?
  2. Somebody’s house has been looted.

Else is used with an indefinite pronoun to indicate other people or things

  1. We have taken dinner. Ask somebody else.

Ii.     Does anybody else need water?

  1. I think this is somebody else’s wallet.
  2. Interrogative pronouns are used to ask questions.

‘Who, whom, whose are used for person and animal,

‘Which’ is used to indicate choice in persons or things,

‘What’ is used to inquire about the identity, object, event, or idea.

Who –subject, whom- object, whose- possession

  1. What is he learning nowadays?
  2. Whose pen is this?
  • What are you talking about?
  1. Who taught you English?
  2. Whom did he beat?
  3. Whose pen is this?
  • Who is the intelligent of the two students? (change ‘who’ into ‘which’ used for selection)

 

  1. A relative pronoun functions as a relative clause connecting the main (principal clause) and the dependent clause (subordinate clause).
Subjects Object Possession uncertainty
Who Whom Whose Whoever/whomever/ whosever ( use for person)
Which Which Whose Whichever (use for things)
That That – (use for person and things)

 

Antecedent (noun/pronoun) + Who + verb

Antecedent (noun/pronoun) + Whom + subject + verb

  1. The boy who met me in the park was playing cricket in the stadium.
  2. My home, which was established in 1990, has been destroyed.
  • He’s an arrogant person, whoever his relatives could be.
  • He is the boy whom I met last Saturday.
  1. It is she who plays football.
  2. It is they who have stolen your luggage.

 

‘What’ is used without an antecedent that refers to things only
  1. I don’t know which he said to her. ( use ‘what’)
  2. She doesn’t believe in what he told her.

That’ is used as a relative pronoun; when anybody, somebody, nobody, the same, the only, all, none, much, animal + person, or superlative degree is given in the sentence

  1. All that glitters is not gold.
  2. He is the only person that can help me.
  • Nobody knows that he doesn’t want money in life.
  1. He bought much sugar that I had to lift on my back.
  2. This is the same pen that I bought it.
  3. The Parker pen that was bought was lost yesterday.

 

  1. Distributive pronoun definition :-Distributive pronouns are used to indicate one person or thing from a group. It is used with singular verbs.

        example of distributive pronoun:-Each, every, either, neither, none

  1. Each, every, either, neither + singular noun
  2. Each boy was present.
  • Neither girl took admission.
  1. Either boy stole it.  
  2. Each of, every of, neither of, either of, none of + the + plural noun + singular verb and his/her
  3. Each of the class teachers had his attendance register.
  4. Either of the wardens has lost his
  • Neither of the games is to be charged here.
  1. Neither either are used to indicate two things or persons
  2. Either of the two girls was present there.
  3. Neither of the legs was hurt.
  4. None, any used to denote more than two things or persons.
  5. None of the five students found their bags there.
  6. Any of the four girls was looking at him.
  7. ‘each’ is used for two or more persons and things
  8. Each of the two boys was intelligent.
  9. Each of the five members was corrupt.
  10. Everyone + more than two persons or things
  11. Everyone of the two girls was a liar. (x)
  12. Everyone of the four bankers was honest with me.
  13. As you know, none + more than two persons or things and neither + two persons or things
  14. None of the computers is working. (more than two computers)
  • Neither computer is working. (two computers)
  • None of our legs was able to move. (x)
  1. Neither of our legs was able to move. (√)
  2. Neither of the students was passed. (x)
  3. None of the students was passed. (√)

 

  1. Reciprocal pronouns express mutual relations between two or more persons doing the same activity.

Each other, one another, etc.

  1. Rahul and Sneha like each other.
  2. Good teachers don’t argue with one another.

 

 Some important Rules of pronouns
  1. Indirect objects follow prepositions and verbs
  2. Let me know.
  3. This secret should be kept between you and me.
  • I have told the truth to Rani and him.
  1. Everyone knows about her except me.

 

  1. If a pronoun is used after ‘It’  and the form of ‘be’; it comes in a nominative case
  2. It is they who have spoken the truth.
  3. It is us who went there. (use ‘we’ in the place of ‘us’)
  4. When various pronouns are used in a sentence
  5. mentioned good deeds: we should follow 231 order

You, he and I are going to join the library soon. (231)

You and he collected funds for an NGO.

He and I should help her. (31)

  1. mentioned bad deeds: we should follow 123 order

I, you, and she used to steal pens in school days. (123)

You and I will take a bribe from him. (12)

You and he have beaten his brother. (23)

  1. when various plural pronouns are used in the sentence; we follow 123 order

We, you, and they reached school on time.

 

  1. Use of Possessive case (possessive adjectives/possessive pronouns) and subject-verb agreement
  2. Possessive case and verb are followed by near subject; when two subjects are connected with

Either-or, neither-nor, none-but, not only-but also

Either the captain or team players are not taking their match seriously.

Neither teachers nor the principal is trying to face his students’ problems.

  1. The first subject follows possessive case and verb; when two subjects are connected with

Like, unlike, rather than, no less than, more than one, Nothing, but, but, except, besides, but, in addition to, with, as well as, along with, together with

Rahul, as well as his relatives, have returned to their country.   (change ‘have’ into ‘ has’ and ‘their’ into ‘his’)

Your friends, along with his relatives, are running their business in the U.K.   (correct)

Rohit, with his friends, has reached Mumbai. (change ‘have’ into ‘has’)

  1. A possessive adjective is used before a gerund

I believe in her winning.

He wasn’t confident of his getting good marks in the examination.

  1. Apostrophe’s is not used with possessive pronouns

Your’s faithfully (x)    yours faithfully  (√)

  1. Singular possessive pronouns (it/its/itself) is used with a collective noun when it shows the whole group together in meaning.
  2. The jury gave their verdict. (change ‘their’ into ‘its’)
  3. The Fleet reached its destination.
  • Children were weeping itself.
  1. When a collective noun is used as a subject and a group is separate in their decision, we use plural possessive adjectives and pronouns ‘they, them, their, themselves

The jury didn’t give their verdict.

  1. The possessive case is not used with some nouns, such as

Excuse, favour, leave, mention, pardon, report, separation, sight

  1. She begged your favour.   (favour of/favour from you)                .
  2. I forgot to mention her.
  • Her separation made me rich. (separation from her)

 

 

Pronouns: A Comprehensive Guide to Using Them Effectively Read More

Difference Between Reflexive Pronoun and Emphatic Pronoun

There are several ways to get to know the difference between reflexive pronoun and emphatic pronoun, and provides examples to help you understand their usage.

Reflexive and emphatic are two types of pronouns that makes people often confuse. When these seem similar, they indicate different purposes and have different kinds functions in a sentence.

What is the Difference Between Reflexive Pronoun and Emphatic Pronoun?

Reflexive pronouns and emphatic pronouns indicate the subject of the sentence. However, these pronouns have different kinds of purposes . Here you’ll find the main difference between reflexive pronoun and emphatic pronoun:

  1. Usage:

We use Reflexive pronouns when the subject and the object of the sentence functions the same. They indicate that the action is performed by the subject on itself. For example:

  • She cut herself while chopping vegetables.
  • They blamed themselves for the mistake.

Emphatic pronouns are used to emphasize the subject of the sentence. These pronouns are not necessary for the meaning of the sentence, but these are used to  add emphasis or intensity to the statement. For example:

  • I myself witnessed the incident.
  • You yourself told me to do it.
  1. Formation:

Reflexive pronouns are formed by adding -self or -selves to the end of a personal pronoun. The reflexive pronouns are given below:

  • Myself
  • Yourself
  • Himself
  • Herself
  • Itself
  • Ourselves
  • Yourselves
  • Themselves

Emphatic pronouns are formed by adding -self or -selves to the end of a personal pronoun, just like reflexive pronouns. However, they are preceded by the subject and an appropriate verb. For example:

  • I myself saw the accident.
  • You yourself said it was easy.
  • He himself admitted the mistake.
  1. Placement:

Reflexive pronouns are generally placed after the verb or after the object of the sentence. For example:

  • She cut herself.
  • They blamed themselves for the mistake.

Emphatic pronouns are placed after the subject and before the verb or after the verb. For example:

  • I myself witnessed the incident.
  • You told me to do it yourself.

Examples:

Have a look to better understand the difference between reflexive and emphatic pronouns

Reflexive Pronoun Examples:

  • John cut himself while shaving.
  • Sarah reminded herself to buy milk.
  • We enjoyed ourselves at the party.
  • The cat groomed itself for hours.

Emphatic Pronoun Examples:

  • I myself completed the project on time.
  • You yourself said it was a bad idea.
  • He himself admitted that he was wrong.
  • She herself made the decision to resign.

FAQs:

  1. Can reflexive pronouns be used for emphasis?

Yes, reflexive pronouns can be used for emphasis in some cases. For example, “I myself cut the cake” emphasizes that the speaker was the one who performed the action.

  1. What is the difference between an emphatic pronoun and an intensive pronoun?

Emphatic pronouns and intensive pronouns are the same thing.

 

Difference Between Reflexive Pronoun and Emphatic Pronoun Read More

Preparing For The IELTS Test: Tips and Tricks

Are you planning to take the IELTS test soon? If you really want to take test for IELTS,  you will get puzzled in the study material and what is to be studied. However, don’t worry; we are here to provide you with guidance and tactics to make your IELTS preparation easier and more efficient. Understanding the IELTS test.
Ilets stands for International English Language Testing System has a standardized test that measures the English language excellence of non-native speakers. It examines four language-related skills: speaking, reading, and listening. The test was developed specifically to evaluate test-takers’ proficiency in academics and everyday English communications.

The IELTS test has two formats – Academic and General Training. For those who seek to continue their higher studies in an English-speaking nation, the Academic format is provided. For those who want to relocate to an English-speaking country for work or training, the General Training format is provided.

IELTS Exam Format

The IELTS test consists of four sections, each assessing a specific language skill:
• Listening (30 minutes)
• Reading (60 minutes)
• Writing (60 minutes)
• Speaking (11-14 minutes)

IELTS Scoring
IELTS scores range from 0 to 9; each section receives a separate score. Your overall score is an average of the scores of all four sections.

IELTS Test Dates and Locations
The IELTS exam is conducted on fixed dates throughout the year in various locations worldwide. The available test dates and locations are available on the official IELTS website.

IELTS Online Test Preparation Resources
Now that you understand the IELTS exam, it’s time to explore some useful online resources and tools to help you prepare for the test.

Official IELTS Website
The official IELTS website is the most comprehensive source of information on the IELTS exam. It provides detailed information on the exam’s structure, format, scoring, test dates, and locations. You can also find sample test questions and practice materials to help you prepare for the test.
IELTS Online Preparation Courses
Various online platforms offer IELTS preparation courses, which can help you improve your language skills and boost your confidence for the test. These courses typically include video lectures, practice exercises, and mock tests to simulate the actual exam experience.

Free IELTS Practice Tests
The saying “practice makes perfect” is correct, and taking practice tests will help you adapt to the format of the exam while assessing how ready you need to be for it.

Many online resources offer free IELTS practice tests, such as the British Council website and IELTS.org.
IELTS Preparation Books
There are many IELTS preparation books available online or at your local bookstore. These books typically include sample test questions, practice exercises, and tips for acing the test.

Tips for Acing the IELTS Test

Preparing for the IELTS exam can be overwhelming, but these tips can help you stay on track and achieve your desired score:
Set a Study Schedule
You just need to Create a study schedule that works for you and stick to it. Dedicate a certain amount of time each day or week to studying for the test.

Practice Regularly
Consistent practice is essential for improving your language skills and boosting your confidence for the test. Set aside time daily to practice listening, reading, writing, and speaking exercises.

Take Mock Tests
Mock tests can help you simulate the exam experience and identify improvement areas. Set aside time to take practice tests and assess.

Conclusion
Preparing for the IELTS test requires time, effort, and dedication. However, with the help of tips and tricks, you can make your preparation easier and more effective. Remember to practice regularly, focus on your weaknesses, improve your vocabulary and reading skills, listen to English, write regularly, speak English, manage your time effectively, and stay confident. Good luck with your IELTS test!

FAQ

Is it easy to get 7.5 in IELTS?
Yes, it is to get 7.5  bands in IELTS. You just need to focus on your weaknesses Once you get to know your weaknesses and focus on improving them. For example, if you struggle with listening, practice listening exercises regularly until you feel more confident.

How many times i can give IELTS exam?
You can give IELTS exam many times as you want.

Does IELTS exam expire?
IELTS test report form is valid for two years in the USA, Canada and the UK.

Preparing For The IELTS Test: Tips and Tricks Read More

Grammar solution: Learn English Grammar easily

Today’s quick-paced, highly linked environment makes using good language more important than ever. Given that so much if our interaction occurs in the text, we must write clearly. Whether you’re a business owner sending emails to clients, a student writing an essay, or just a person who likes to speak and write obviously, there are some basic grammar rules you should be aware of. This blog post will cover five important grammar solution tips everyone should know.

1. Grammarly.com – AI-Powered Writing Enhancement

Grammarly.com is a website that provides users with a writing enhancement tool powered by artificial intelligence. A free grammar solution inbuilt checker and a premium version with additional functions like plagiarism detection, word suggestions, and other things are all accessible from the website.

Grammarly is a good alternative to think about if you’re wanting to improve your writing. The trial edition remains an excellent starting point even though the paid version has even more tools to aid write-up development.

2.  English Grammar solutions for Class 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12

Most of the students face difficulty with grammar. Learners need a basic understanding of grammar. We have offered a few tips to the students that make learning grammar much simpler.

I. Start by learning the basics:

It’s crucial essential you have a firm grasp of the basic concepts before you start learning grammar. The numerous parts of speech and how they are used in sentences should be known to you. You may readily learn more complex ideas once you have a firm understanding of the fundamentals.

II. Observe your mistakes:

When speaking or writing in English, be conscious of your mistakes. This allows you to identify your areas for growth. You may correct those mistakes before someone else point them out.

III.  Utilise resources:

You may improve your grammar skills by using the many sources that are available. Utilize these tools and practice as much as you can. Online games, exercises, and tests are available to help in the relaxing and interactive study of grammar.

IV. Seek an expert:

If you’re having difficulties with grammar, seek a teacher or an expert for guidance. They may guide you in the right direction and make the subjects simpler for anyone to comprehend.

3. English Grammar Solution Ultimate – Apps on Google Play

Check out English Grammar Ultimate if you’re seeking for an app to help help with your grammar. You can learn and practice English grammar using this app. There are many different activities and games to keep you interested and aid in your learning. For continued motivation, you can set objectives and track your progress.

4. Automated Grammar Checker

An automated grammar checker is an application of the software that can find and fix grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes. The type of software, that could be utilized for checking both digital and printed content, usually comes with word processors or text editors.

Even though automatic grammar checkers may be helpful, it’s important to remember that they are not perfect.
The program may miss some errors or make corrections that change the meaning of your sentence. If you’re unsure whether a correction is correct, it’s always best to consult a dictionary or style guide.

5. grammar solution online

Looking for an online grammar solution? You will find an alternative method that is Grammarly.com .It is one of the most globally used grammar checkers on the market, that has more than 400 million subscribers. And with good reason—It is not only trustworthy but also simple, and effective!

6. English Grammar solution for Competitive Exams
If you want to join the government sector, You need to understand every aspect of English grammar. There are four major fundamental topics of English grammar. These are verb tenses, nouns, adjectives, and adverbs. Each has specific rules and usages.

Verb tenses indicate when an action takes place. The present, past, and future are the three basic verb tenses. There are precise guidelines for using each one. The past tense tells about actions that have already taken place in the past, and the other hand the present tense refers to actions that are currently taking place. The future tense is used to mention actions that will take place in future.

Nouns are used to describe particular individuals, places, objects, or concepts. They come in both solitary and plural forms. Nouns and pronouns are described or altered by adjectives. The nouns they modify usually go before them.

  1. English grammar syllabus for IELTS

The objective of the IELTS English Grammar – It helps to help you improve grammar skills and prepare for the online test itself. There are a few important topics covered in the course. These are given below:

Verb tenses, nouns, Pronouns adjectives, adverbs, and prepositions.

These grammatical structures are helpful in making your speech and writing to the next level.

8. Best English grammar books

There are many great grammar solution books out there that can help you improve your writing skills. There are  a few selected grammar books are mentioned below:

The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White: this book helps to cover all the types of basics of good writing, including grammar, punctuation, and style.

The Chicago Manual of Style by University of Chicago Press: This is used to guide anyone to improve grammar, punctuation, and style rules for written English.

The Oxford Dictionary of English Grammar by Kate Gardiner: This book covers everything from the basic to more advanced topics like verbs, tenses, and pronoun usage.

Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better is a book that is Written by Mignon Fogarty: It is a very helpful book that provides concise, easy-to-understand explanations of common grammar mistakes and how to avoid them.

9. Learn grammar with quiz

One of the most effective methods is through quizzes. These creative things can help you to identify your strengths and weaknesses in grammar.

10. Websites That Solve Dumb English Grammar Mistakes

We’ve found nine important websites to help you improve your grammar skills and avoid making common mistakes.

  1. Grammarly

Grammarly is a free online grammar website to identify grammatical errors and plagiarism.You can also sign up for a premium account for additional features like plagiarism checking and vocabulary enhancement suggestions.

  1. The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)

The Purdue OWL is a comprehensive resource for writing and grammar. In addition to providing helpful advice on style and usage, the OWL also offers free online tutorials on various topics, including sentence structure, punctuation, and avoiding plagiarism.

  1. Daily Writing Tips

Daily Writing Tips is a blog devoted to helping writers improve their craft. In addition to offering tips on topics like writing headlines and using strong verbs, the site also features regular posts on common grammar mistakes – perfect for those aspirants who want to learn more about avoiding them.

  1. Grammar solution for everyone

As  you know it’s important to get grammar solution, but it can be confusing and difficult to be perfect in Engish grammar. Fortunately, there’s a grammarsolution.com is a blog to get solution of grammar and English language. Whether you’re a student struggling to pass an English class or a professional looking to polish your writing skills, these tips and resources will help you improve your grammar.

  1. BBC Learning English

One of the best methods to learn grammar is to practice using it in everyday conversation. BBC Learning  English six minutes program Pay attention to how people speak and try to mimic their sentence structure and word choice.

  1. freereadingprogram.com

Reading is a skill that helps you to different writing styles. It also gives you a chance to see proper grammar in action. freereadingprogram.com helps in reading smoothly.

  1. ProWritingAid

Many online resources can help you improve your grammar skills. Websites like ProWritingAid,The Writing Practice offer helpful lessons and exercises that make learning fun and easy. With the help of a little effort, you can be perfect in the English language!

  1.  Grammarsolution.com

It is our website to learn grammar easily from basic to advanced levels with simplified structures. It will help you not only with writing but also with grammar with quizzes.

 

Grammar solution: Learn English Grammar easily Read More