Pronouns

A pronoun is a word that replaces a noun or noun phrase. Using pronouns correctly eliminates unnecessary noun repetition in your writing.

  • Unnecessary repetition: Mary is in Mary's office, but Mary asked not to be interrupted.
  • Pronoun use eliminates repetition: Mary is in her office, but she asked not to be interrupted.

Common pronouns

Personal Pronouns (Most Common Type)

Personal pronouns refer toÌýpeopleÌý²¹²Ô»åÌýthings; they can beÌýsingular,Ìýplural, orÌýboth.ÌýTheirÌýformsÌýchange according to their grammatical function in a sentence. When using personal pronouns, it is acceptable to useÌýthey,Ìýthem, andÌýtheirÌýto refer to a single person. Some people use other less well-known pronouns, and it is important to always use the pronoun provided by the individual. See the additional resources at the end of the page for more information on personal pronouns.Ìý

The following lists of singular and plural pronouns have been adapted from The Little Brown Compact Handbook,Ìý3rd Edition, by J.E. Aaron and M. McArthur.

  • Singular pronouns

    • Singular pronouns as subject: I, you, he, she, it, they

    • Singular pronouns as object: me, you, him, her, it, them

    • Singular pronouns as possessive: my/mine, your/yours, his, her/hers, their/theirs, itsÌý

  • Plural pronouns

    • Plural pronouns as subject: we, you, they

    • Plural pronouns as object: us, you, them

    • Plural pronouns as possessive: our/ours, your/yours, their/theirs

Demonstrative pronouns (this, that, these, those)

Demonstrative pronouns identify or point to aÌýnoun.

  • e.g.,ÌýThisÌýlab report is due tomorrow.
  • e.g.,ÌýThatÌýlooks like the computer I used to have.
  • e.g., PutÌýtheseÌýpencils on your desk.
  • e.g.,ÌýThoseÌýwere the best days of my life.Ìý

Relative pronouns (who, whom, whose, which, that)

Relative pronouns beginÌýadjective clausesÌýand usually refer to theÌýnounÌýthat comes rightÌýbeforeÌýthem.

  • e.g., Rachael is a managerÌýwhomÌýeveryone respects.
  • e.g., I don't knowÌýwhoÌýis responsible for setting up the lab equipment.
  • e.g., You need to talk to the studentsÌýwhoseÌýlaptops were stolen.
  • e.g., My Sociology textbook,ÌýwhichÌýcosts $125, is full of factual and grammatical errors.
  • e.g., The new software lacks many of the benefitsÌýthatÌýthe company promised.

Using Pronouns Clearly and Correctly

Pronouns should agree in number

Generally, singular pronouns refer to singular nouns, and plural pronouns refer to plural nouns. Lack of agreement can lead to awkwardness or confusion.

  • Incorrect: The company [singular noun]Ìýannounced that they [plural pronoun]Ìýhad been sold.

  • Correct: The company [singular noun]Ìýannounced that it [singular pronoun]Ìýhad been sold.

Pronouns should agree in person

Throughout your document, you should try to maintain aÌýconsistent point of viewÌýby avoiding shifts between first, second, and third person pronouns.

  • Incorrect:ÌýWhenÌýyouÌýgo to class,ÌýoneÌýshould haveÌýourÌýhomework ready.
    • In the above example, the point of view is inconsistent; pronouns shift from second to third to first person (you, one, our).
  • Correct:ÌýWhenÌýyouÌýgo to class,ÌýyouÌýshould haveÌýyourÌýhomework ready.
    • In the above example, the chosen pronouns (you and your) are consistently in second person form.

Pronouns should have clear references

When there are two or more nouns in your sentence, your reader should not have to think twice when linking the pronoun to its associated noun. The following examples demonstrate unclear pronoun references and potential revisions to improve clarity.

  • Example 1
    • Unclear:ÌýAlthough the car hit the tree,ÌýitÌýwas not damaged.
    • Clear:ÌýThe car was not damaged even thoughÌýitÌýhit the tree.
  • Example 2
    • Unclear:ÌýI have attached some data on euthanasia in my email. I urge you to considerÌýthisÌýseriously.
    • Clear:ÌýI urge you to considerÌýthisÌýinformation seriously.

Additional resources for gender inclusive pronouns