2.1 Do you know what a pronoun is?

Pronouns are words that replace nouns. A nouns is a person, a place, an animal, a thing or an idea, as simple as that. Look at this example.

Example:

The words that were replaced are book and Mary. They also have a name, they are called Antecedent.

        Exercise 1

Let's see if you got it. Identify the pronoun and the antecedent.

Example:

2.2 Noun as a Subject and as an Object

We could have two nouns in one sentence, playing different roles like subject o r object. Almost all English sentences contain a Subject (S) and a Verb (V). T he verb may or not may be followed by an Object (O). Look at these examples.

In this case, there is no Object but it is a complete sentence.

In this case, there is no Object but it is a complete sentence.

In this case, there is a Subject and an Object.

In this case, there is a Subject and an Object. The subjects and objects of verbs are nouns or pronouns.

        Exercise 2

Find the Subject and Object.

1. The politician supported new taxes. ( )=S ()=O

2. The mechanic repaired the engine. ( )=S ()=O

3. Those boxes contained old photographs. ( )=S ()=O

        Exercise 3

Find the Subject and the Object of the following sentences. Then make a q uestion using the correct structure. (Yes–No questions).

Example:

1. The receptionist answered the phone.

( )=S ()=O

?

2.The doctor examined the patient.

( )=S ()=O

?

3.Leidy bought a present.

( )=S ()=O

?

4.The dog ate the bone.

( )=S ()=O

?

5.The children wanted to eat cookies.

( )=S ()=O

?

6.The students like to do their homework.

( )=S ()=O

?

7.Clark and Patricia will have a baby.

( )=S ()=O

?

8.The playground will be remodeled.

( )=S ()=O

?

9.The neighbor made a big party.

( )=S ()=O

?

10.The waiter is serving dinner.

( )=S ()=O

?

2.3 Types of pronouns

There are many types of pronouns. Let's start with subject pronouns.

     2.3.1 Subject Pronouns

A Subject Pronoun indicates that the pronoun is acting as the subject of the s entence. T he subject pronouns are:

Subject Pronouns replace the subject of the sentence, like in this example:

     2.3.2 Object Pronouns

An Object Pronoun indicates that the pronoun is acting as an object. These are:

        Exercise 4

Practice a little to get the idea. Replace the nouns using Subject and Object Pronouns.

Example:

        Exercise 5

Try doing this exercise. Correct the following sentences and identify the pronoun that must be used.

Example:

     2.3.3 Reflexive Pronouns

A Subject Pronoun indicates that the pronoun is acting as the subject of the sentence. The subject pronouns are:

Example:

A Reflexive Pronoun usually refers to the subject in a sentence; in (a) he and himself refer to the same person. Sometimes, Reflexive Pronouns are used for emphasis, as in (b) and ©. In the expression by + Reflexive Pronoun usually means "alone".

        Exercise 6

See for yourself how easy Reflexive Pronouns are. Complete the following s entences by using the appropriate Reflexive Pronoun.

        Exercise 7

Agreement of pronouns. Complete the sentences with pronouns. In some of the blanks there is more than one possibility. Use the pronoun that sounds best to you.

Example:

2.3.4 Non-specific Object Pronouns

A Non-specific Object Pronoun is a word that replaces nouns when they are p laced as the object of a sentence. Look at these cases and pay attention b ecause each one is a different case.
First of all, you must know that there are two types of nouns that we are going t o see in these cases. These are Countable Nouns and Non-countable Nouns. C ountable Nouns are items that can be counted. Non-countable Nouns are items that can't be counted. They are words that express a whole made up of d ifferent parts. Got it? You will see these in detail in the next unit.
Another important thing that you must know is when a noun is specific or n on-specific. A noun is specific when it is preceded by a word that defines it. The words that make nouns specific are the, my, your, his, her, our, their, that, these, this, or those.
The words that show that a noun is nonspecific are a, an, many, some, any, one, a lot of and many others, that give a general idea of what the person is t alking about.
The last important point to understand these rules is to know when a sentences i s affirmative or negative.

Example:

Fantastic! Now let's go through the rules.

The use of Non-specific Object Pronouns with:

Non-specific Plural Countable Noun: When we replace Non-specific Plural C ountable Nouns, we use some for affirmative sentences and any for negative sentences. Like in these examples.

Specific Plural Countable Noun: When we replace Specific Plural Countable Nouns, we use them for affirmative and negative sentences. Look at these examples.

Nonspecific Singular Countable Nouns: When we replace Nonspecific Singular Countable Nouns, we use one for affirmative and negative sentences. Look at these examples.

Specific Singular Countable Nouns: When we replace specific Singular Countable Nouns, we use it, them, him, her for affirmative and negative s entences, depending on the object of the sentence. Look at these examples.

If we are speaking about a woman, we use her, and if we are talking about a man, we use him.

Non-specific Non–countable Nouns: When we replace Non-specific Non- Countable Nouns, we use some for affirmative sentences and questions, and a ny for negative sentences. Like in these examples.

Specific Non-countable Nouns: When we replace Specific Non-countable Nouns, we use it for affirmative and negative sentences. Like in these e xamples.

        Exercise 8

Your turn! Answer the following questions using the correct Non-specific Object Pronoun. Look at the example.

Example: