Women what is the pronoun in English. Let's understand English pronouns - with examples and pronunciation. Indefinite Pronouns and Negative Pronouns or Indefinite Pronouns and Negative Pronouns

How important are personal pronouns in English? We can safely say that personal pronouns are the basis of any language, especially English.

If they did not exist, even the most famous phrase I love you(Russian: I love you) could not exist! After all, it already contains two personal pronouns: I- Me and you- You.

The pronoun is one of the most terrifying masks man has invented.

The pronoun is one of the most terrifying masks created by man

Personal pronouns in English have many similarities with Russian pronouns: they also change according to gender, number, and even cases. But there are also pitfalls to be aware of when learning personal pronouns on your own.

Today we will tell you what personal pronouns are there in English, we will give examples of sentences and reveal all the secrets of their use.

Personal pronouns in English!

Comparative table of personal pronouns in the nominative and objective cases, English.

As you know from the Russian language course, personal pronouns replace a noun. These can be names of people, places or objects. Mostly, personal pronouns are used instead of a noun to avoid repetition and make speech easier.

We usually add personal pronouns to a sentence when the noun has been mentioned before, that is, when the reader or listener knows what we are talking about.

For example:

Liz bought a new car two months ago. She absolutely loves it.(Russian Liz bought the car two months ago. She is crazy about it)

In the second sentence She absolutely loves it two pronouns are used: personal pronoun she replaces proper name Liz, and the personal pronoun it used instead of a noun car .

Important!

Personal pronouns in English help avoid repeating the same noun over and over again in a story.

The noun that is replaced is called antecedent(eng. antecedent). If you know the antecedent, you can always choose the correct personal pronoun that agrees on numbers (singular or plural), persons (first, second or third), gender (masculine, feminine, neuter) and cases (nominative, objective, ).

Basic grammatical features of personal pronouns in English:

English personal pronouns have a singular ( I, he, it etc.) and plural ( we, they and etc.);

Personal pronouns in the English language change according to gender in the 3rd person singular: husband. ( he- he), female ( she-she), wed.( it-it);

• This type of pronoun varies by person: 1st person ( I, we), 2nd person ( you), 3rd person ( he, she, it, they)
• Personal pronouns in English have two cases: nominative ( he, she, we, they etc.) and object ( me, them, us and etc.).

But first things first. Let's first look at How do personal pronouns change in English? by persons, genders and numbers in various cases.

Personal pronouns in English: nominative case

English personal pronouns in the nominative case are called Subject Pronouns. Word subject the subject is translated into Russian, and in linguistics the term is used Subjective Case(Russian subject case).

The English subject case corresponds to the Russian nominative, which answers questions Who? So what? and acts as the subject of a sentence.

Therefore, English personal pronouns in the nominative case perform the function of the subject.

Pronouns I, we(Rus. I, we) are the first person singular and plural and are used on behalf of the speakers.

Remember!

Pronoun I(Russian я) is always written with a capital letter, regardless of its place in the sentence.

Pronoun you is the second person singular and plural and corresponds to the Russian pronouns “you”, “you”, “You” (polite form). This pronoun is used in relation to the interlocutor or interlocutors.

Quite a large number of people learning English from scratch are trying to use the English pronoun you with a singular verb, but this is incorrect. Even when addressing one interlocutor, personal pronoun you always bears the characteristic of the plural.

Compare:

You are a student(Russian: You are a student.)

You are students(Russian: You are students)

Pronouns he, she, it(Russian he. she, it) and they(Russian they) are representatives of the third person singular and plural.

As you probably already know, the verb is in the 3rd person singular. numbers (that is, when used with personal pronouns he, she, it) has a number of features in the formation of sentences in a number of other times.

Let's look at how personal pronouns are used in a sentence with examples.

Examples of sentences with personal pronouns in English with translation

Object case of personal pronouns in English

Objective case (eng. Objective Case) in English performs functions similar to those performed in Russian by other cases except the nominative.

Therefore, there are quite a few options for translating personal pronouns in the objective case into Russian, as you can see in the table.

Table of personal pronouns in the nominative case:

As you can see from the table, we can draw an analogy between pronoun her(objective case of personal pronoun she) in a sentence I see her with Russian accusative I see (who, what?) her.

English personal pronouns in the objective case often appear in sentences as direct or indirect object .

Compare:

I phoned him to congratulate him.(Russian: I called him to congratulate him), where is the pronoun him is a direct complement.

She apologized to me.(Russian. She apologized to me) - where is the pronoun (to) me used with a preposition and is an indirect object

Personal pronouns with prepositions in English

An example of the use of personal pronouns as subject, direct and indirect object in English

English personal pronouns in the subjective (nominative) case serve as the subject of a sentence.

For example:

I like your flowers.- I like your (your) flowers.

They are working in the garden.- They are working in the garden.

We go to the cinema.- We're going to the cinema.

But with personal pronouns in the objective case, not everything is so simple. Let's consider the main functions in the sentence of object pronouns in English, and with which Russian cases they are more similar.

• Object pronouns in English as direct object corresponds to the accusative case in Russian (whom? what?)

Doesn't love me(Russian: He loves me)

Do you know him?(Russian. Do you know him?)

I see her everywhere(Russian. I see her everywhere)

• Personal pronouns in the objective case can serve as non-prepositional indirect object and are similar to the Russian dative case, answering the question to whom? what?:

He have her book(Russian: He gave her a book)

Mary told us to choose a dish(Russian Mary told us to choose a dish)

• Sometimes English object pronouns perform role of the subject in short remarks, which is typical for spoken language, which is not entirely grammatically correct:

Who did it? - Not me! /Me(Russian. Who did this? - Not me! / I)

I am feeling tired - Me too(Russian: I'm very tired. - Me too)

• Combination of pronoun with preposition to corresponds to the dative case in Russian (to whom?) and performs the function indirect (indirect) object:

Show the book to him(Russian: Show the book to him)

I sent a letter to them(Russian: I sent a letter to them)

• Pronoun combination with prepositions by and with corresponds to the instrumental case in Russian (by whom? what?) and is indirect object:

This article was translated by her(Russian. This article was translated by her)

I want to go with you(Russian: I want to go with you/with you)

• After the words except(Russian except) and but(Russian except) only object pronouns should be used:

Nobody but him helped me(Russian. Nobody but him helped me.)

Everyone except me went home(Russian. Everyone except me went home.)

Personal pronouns in English: sentences with examples

Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me. (Russian: Only I can change my life. No one can do this for me).

In this section we will talk about the generally accepted rules for using personal pronouns in English.

When to use I and me, we and us, he and him, etc.

As we have already written, English pronouns are in the nominative case ( I, you, he, she, it, we, they) act as the subject.

They are typically used before a verb to show who is doing the action.

For example:

Peter complained to the chef about the meal.(Russian Peter complained to the chef about the dish.)

She wasn’t very helpful so he spoke to the manager.(Russian. She didn’t really help, so he turned to the manager)

In the second sentence the pronouns she And he indicate who directly performed the action (she didn’t help, he turned).

Pronouns in the objective case ( me, you, him, her, it, us, them) are additions. In a sentence they are usually used after a verb or preposition.

Also, they can be used as short answers, mainly in colloquial speech.

For example:

A: Where’s the knife? I can't find it(Russian. Where is the knife? I can’t find it)

B: It is in the drawer.(Russian: He is in the box)

In the first sentence pronoun it used in the objective case, and is the object on which the action is performed (I can’t find it=knife). In the second sentence this is the same pronoun it is in the nominative case and is the subject (He = knife in the drawer)

Examples of using personal pronouns in English

Personal pronouns he, she, it

Personal pronouns he, she, it are representatives of the third person singular, and determine the feminine, masculine and neuter form.

Nowadays in colloquial speech you can notice the use of several pronouns, a kind of “neutral form”, if the speaker is not sure about a person’s belonging to a certain gender, for example: he or she, he/she, s/he, (s)he.

For example:

The bank manager could help with your problem. He or she will probably be able to give you a loan.(Russian: The bank manager can help you. He or she will probably be able to give you a loan.)

It is necessary to remember some features of the use of the pronoun “it” in English.

Personal pronoun it defines objects and is often translated as “he/she” in Russian. The English pronoun it denotes not only inanimate objects, but often even animals.

Pronoun it often used in impersonal sentences when there is no subject:

gives an assessment of some action, for example: It is important to know this(Russian. It is important to know this);

indicates space and time: It is 10 km to the airport(Russian: 10 km to the airport), It is 10 o"clock now.(Russian: It’s 10 o’clock now.)

• indicates the weather: It is getting dark(Russian: It’s getting dark)

Example sentences with pronouns he, she, it

Using it and that, it and this

Many English language learners are interested in how sentences like this differ This is a pen from It is a pen, since both sentences are translated This is a pen.

Difference in usage this and it often underestimated, since many believe that there is no difference and “they will understand you either way.” But it's not that simple...

Pronoun this

when refers to a person, thing or thing that is spoken of or which is nearby or implied, or has recently been mentioned: These are my pens(Russian. These are my hands)

• when indicating something that is being researched or discussed nearby or is currently being explored: This is iron and that is tin.(Russian: This is iron, and that is tin)

Pronoun it used in the following cases:

when identifying an inanimate object: Took a quick look at the house and noticed it was very old(Russian: I looked at the house and noticed that it was old)

refers to a person or animal whose sex is unknown or irrelevant: I don't know who it is(Russian. I don’t know who it is)

• defines a group of people or things, or an abstract entity: Beauty is everywhere and it is a source of joy.(Russian: Beauty is everywhere and it is a source of admiration)

Remember!

Definitive pronoun this used in relation to a person or thing that is being spoken about, which is implied or which will be discussed later, while personal pronoun it usually refers to an inanimate thing, or is used in relation to a person, thing, idea, etc., taken in a more abstract way.

There are other special uses pronouns it and that in English.

1. Pronoun this used as a definition and comes before a noun:

This cat is black(Russian: This cat is black).

Pronoun It cannot be used in this function.

2. Pronoun it used in impersonal sentences as a formal subject that is not translated:

It is dark(Russian: Dark).

If you use in this sentence this, there will be no error, but the meaning will change, since now the sentence is not impersonal, but personal, in which this will be translated because it replaces the above noun: This is my room and that is yours. This (one) is dark and that (one) is not.(Russian. This is my room, and that one is yours. Mine (this room) is dark, but yours (that room) is not)

3. Pronoun it can also be a substitute word for the above-mentioned noun and act as a subject and as an object:

This is a cat. This cat is black = It is black(Russian. This is a cat. This cat is black. = She is black)

I will take this (book) not that (one)(Russian. I buy this book, but not that one). The semantic emphasis on this particular book is this, and not on that one - that .

I will take it.(Russian: Buying/Taking), semantic emphasis on taking – will take

Choice it or this in this case it depends on what task the speaker faces:

nessesary to use this, if you need to point to a specific object in the field of view or highlight this object against the background of other “distant” objects;

• nessesary to use it, if you need to generalize without transferring the semantic load to the addition, as if we said: “everything that you already know from the previous sentence, so I won’t be specific.”

4. Pronoun it used in intensifying sentences as a formal subject:

Roll call response: It's me (I)(Russian: I / Here / I am present)

Answer to the question Who's there? when knocking on the door: It's me, Tom!(Russian: I / It's me, Tom)

In fact, these sentences are intensifying: It is I who has been called over. It is I, Tom, who has knocked at your door.(Russian. It’s me, the one you called. It’s me, the one who knocked on the door.) In this function this cannot be used.

Also, one of the differences between the pronouns under consideration is that this introduces new information (reme), and it– known information (topic), therefore this always translated, but it- No.

Another significant difference is that the word it used in expressions related to time and weather, as well as in some fixed expressions, for example:

It's five past twelve(Russian: Time is five minutes past twelve)

It often rains in our region(Russian: It often rains in our region)

It isn’t easy to believe him again(Russian: It's not easy to trust him again)

Using the pronoun they

Pronoun they used to identify people, animals and objects in the plural.

Also, pronoun they refers to institutions, authorities, or groups of people in general.

Example sentences with the pronoun they

Special cases of using personal pronouns in English

In colloquial speech, the rules for using personal pronouns in English may not be followed. The picture shows the inscription I do. Me too instead of I do. So do I.

Using personal pronouns in informal conversation

• You and me or you and I?

Sometimes there is a difficult choice between: You and me or you and I? It seems that both options sound familiar and correct. But in fact, one option is correct (and therefore standard), and the second is grammatically incorrect, but still used in informal speech.

To determine the correct option, look at which part of the sentence this combination is: subject or object:

You and I will work tomorrow

(Russian: You and I will work tomorrow)

Now take it away you and we get: I will work tomorrow(Russian: I will work tomorrow) or Me will work tomorrow(Russian: I will be working tomorrow)

The second sentence is incorrect because the object pronoun me cannot be a subject. However, in informal conversation, you can hear You and me will work tomorrow, even though it is grammatically incorrect.

Another example:

They invited you and I

They invited you and me(Russian: They invited you and me)

Now let's remove the pronoun you :

They invited I(Russian: They invited me)

They invited me(Russian: They invited me)

Here the second sentence is correct because subject pronoun I cannot be an addition.

• Personal pronouns after “Than” and “As”

The correct grammatical form is to use personal pronouns in the nominative case followed by an auxiliary verb:

You are taller than I am(Russian: You are taller than me)

I earn as much money as he does

However, quite often a simple pronoun in the objective case is used; this option is simply considered typical for a colloquial, informal style:

You are taller than me(Russian: You are taller than me)

I earn as much money as him(Russian: I earn as much money as he does)

• Using personal pronouns in short answers

An object pronoun cannot be the subject of a sentence, but such use can be found after verb to be in short answers:

Who is there? - (It is) me!(Russian. Who's there? - (It's) me)

Who gave you this? - (It was) him.(Russian. Who gave you this? - (It was) him)

• “Omitting” a personal pronoun

Sometimes, a personal pronoun next to an auxiliary verb can be omitted in colloquial speech.

Don't know = I don't know(Russian: I don’t understand = I don’t understand)

Just kidding = I am just kidding(Russian: I'm kidding = I'm kidding)

Understand? = Do you understand?(Russian: Got it? = Do you understand?)

When are personal pronouns not used?

One of the features of personal pronouns is that they are not used after infinitive constructions if the subject and object are the same person:

This phone is easy to use (it).(Russian. This phone is easy to use.)

You are easy to understand (you).(Russian. You are easy to understand.)

But, the pronoun should be used if the impersonal pronoun it begins:

It is easy to understand you.(Russian: You are easy to understand)

Video about English personal pronouns

If there was anything unclear to you in our article, we recommend watching a video about personal pronouns in English.

Video on Personal Pronouns

Instead of a conclusion:

Pronouns help replace a person or thing, you need to be extremely careful not to confuse them, because this can confuse the listener or completely change the meaning of the sentence.

However, due to the fact that grammatically English personal pronouns They are very similar to Russian ones, their study and use does not cause serious problems.

We hope that after reading this article you will be able to use personal pronouns in English with ease!

Exercises on personal pronouns in English

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate form of the personal pronoun:

Sample: Who is that woman? Why are you looking at her?

“Do you know that man?’ “Yes, I work with _ .’

Where are the tickets? I can't find_.

I can't find my keys. Where are _?

We're going out. You can come with _.

Margaret likes music. _ plays the piano.

I don't like dogs. I'm afraid of _ .

I"m talking to you. Please listen to _.

Where is Ann? I want to talk to_.

My brother has a new job. He doesn’t like _ very much.

Pronouns are one of the most important parts of speech in any language, replacing an object, person, or attribute. To use pronouns correctly in speech, you need to know their meaning, categories and declension rules.

Pronoun classes

There are a total of 10 groups of pronouns in the English language, and students have been familiar with some of them since the 3rd grade. Let's list them:

• Personal;
• Possessive;
• Returnable;
• Mutual;
• Index fingers;
• Interrogative;
• Relative;
• Connecting;
• Uncertain;
• Negative.

Personal pronouns

This is the most popular class of pronouns, used to replace persons and objects. Personal pronouns have two forms - the nominative case (when they act as the subject) and the objective case (similar to all other cases of the Russian language, except for the nominative). How personal pronouns change can be seen in the table “Declination of pronouns in English”, which also shows the transcription for words.

It is easy to notice that personal pronouns change by person, number, case and gender (only in the 3rd person). Look at the following sentence:

He can't tell us the secret. (He couldn't tell us the secret.)

The pronoun He (he) is the subject and is in the nominative case, the pronoun us (to us) acts as an object.

The pronoun I (I) is always written with a capital letter, no matter what part of the sentence it appears in.

Possessive pronouns

Such pronouns answer the question “whose?”, showing which person the object belongs to. They have two forms - attached and absolute. The following table of pronouns in English lists possessive pronouns with translation and pronunciation.

The adjunct form is used when it is followed by a qualifying noun. For example:

This is my daddy. (This is my daddy.) - After the word MY comes the noun DADDY.

The absolute form is used when the qualified noun comes before the pronoun or is omitted altogether. Take a look at the options:

This pen is mine. (This pen is mine.) - PEN stands before the word MY.

It’s your bike and these are ours. (This is your bicycle, and these are ours.) - In the second part of the sentence, the noun “bicycles” is missing.

Reflexive pronouns

This class of pronouns suggests that the action of the object is directed towards itself or is performed independently. Pronouns with the meaning “himself, sama, samo, sami” are called intensifying.

He doesn't love himself. (He doesn't like himself.)

Reciprocal pronouns

Such pronouns show that the actions of objects are directed towards each other. They exist in the form of two expressions: each other (in the amount of two items) and one another (more than two items).

Mary and Peter hated each other. (Mary and Peter hated each other.)

Demonstrative pronouns

The purpose of these pronouns is to indicate objects, persons and their characteristics. In the table you can see how demonstrative pronouns are pronounced.

These clouds are big. (These clouds are big.)

Interrogative pronouns

Similar pronouns are used in question sentences. The table shows how these words are read.

The form whom is no longer used in modern English and is replaced by who.

Who are you talking to? (Who are you talking to?)

Relative pronouns

We deal with such pronouns in subordinate attributive clauses (they answer the question “which (which)?”)

Check out the examples:

Conjunctive pronouns

This group of pronouns, like the previous one, is used in subordinate clauses of a complex sentence. Unlike relative clauses, an additional clause is introduced, not a attributive one. This category includes words such as:

• Who (Who);
• What (who what);
• Which (whom);
• Whose (which, whose).

I didn’t understand who came. (I didn’t understand who came.)

Negative pronouns

These pronouns are used to express negation in negative sentences.

The verb in sentences with negative pronouns will always be in the affirmative form!

So, negative pronouns include:

• No (none - can be placed before any noun);
• None (none of);
• Neither (neither of the two);
• Nobody (no one - in relation to people);
• Nothing (nothing - in relation to objects).

She has no money. (She doesn't have (any) money.)

Indefinite pronouns

The largest group of pronouns, which has various types, and the most problematic for children just learning English. This, first of all, includes the pronouns some (some) and any (any), which form the following series of cognate words:

• Some - somebody (someone), something (something), someone (someone);
• Any - anybody (anyone), anything (anything), anyone (anyone).

Pronouns formed from some are used in affirmative sentences. Pronouns with any in affirmative sentences have the meaning “any”, but are more often used in questions and negations and are not translated in any way.

In addition, the group of indefinite pronouns includes the following pronouns:

• Each (each is about a group of objects);
• Every (each of the objects separately);
• Either (one or the other);
• Everybody (everyone) (every person);
• Everything (every object, everything);
• Other (other);
• Another (another, one more);
• Both (both, both);
• All (all, all, everything, everything);
• One (instead of a repeated noun or in an impersonal clause).

Indefinite pronouns are used when it is not possible or necessary to accurately indicate a person, object, their characteristics and quantity.

Examples:

• You have everything. (You have it all)
• Give me another whiskey. (Give me some more whiskey)

What have we learned?

There are ten groups of pronouns in English. These are personal, possessive, reciprocal, reflexive, demonstrative, interrogative, relative, connective, negative and indefinite pronouns. Each category of pronouns has its own characteristics and rules of use that must be learned.

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Quickly go:

A pronoun is a part of speech that is used instead of a noun.

Pushkin is the greatest Russian poet. He was born in 1799
Pushkin is the greatest Russian poet. He was born in 1799.

Pronouns in English can be used in a sentence as a function:

Not a doctor.
He is a doctor.

The red pencil is mine.
My red pencil.

I have not seen him.
I didn't see him.

I cannot find my pencil.
I can't find my pencil.

Simple form Possessive pronouns are always required after a noun and, being its definition, exclude the use of an article before this noun:

My pencil is on the table.
My pencil is on the table.

Absolute form Possessive pronouns are used independently - nouns are never placed after them.

This pencil is mine.
This pencil is mine.

Refundable pronouns come after many verbs and correspond in Russian to the particle - "Xia" ("s"), which is attached to verbs, showing that the action passes to the actor himself:

Not defended himself.
He defended himself.

Don't cut yourself.
Don't cut yourself.

Pronouns in English: table with translation and examples

Any person who has studied a foreign language at least a little is already well acquainted with pronouns. These words, usually short, appear in almost all sentences. “I”, “You” - they are used at every step. Like a baby born in England, a foreigner first learns to name himself and address other people. Then it’s time to speak abstractly in the third person, about someone or refer to someone.

You may not be familiar with some pronouns yet. But there are not too many of them; if you wish, you can easily master everything in one lesson. Time usually studied pronouns in English – 3rd grade secondary school. Even elementary school students can do the task, preferably with an emphasis on practical application. Adults should delve a little into the theory and get to know pronouns in more detail. Should pay more attention to correct pronunciation, and get a good workout. The effort expended will definitely bring benefits.

Pronouns in English

A pronoun (pronoun) is essentially the most important part of speech, which cannot be replaced by anything else. On the contrary, pronouns are often used to replace nouns, adjectives and entire phrases. This is done for the sake of brevity and simplicity, for generalization, or to ask the interlocutor. Depending on the functions performed, pronouns are divided into groups , which we will get acquainted with next:

• personal;
• possessive (posesive);
• reflexive;
• mutual (reciprocal);
• demonstrative;
• negative (negative);
• interrogative;
• vague (negative);
• generalizing;
• quantitative.

Table of pronouns in English

A table with translation and pronunciation will help you better study English pronouns.

Personal pronouns designate specific individuals and entire groups. The objective case is translated into Russian by virtually any other case except the nominative. When translating instrumental and prepositional, appropriate prepositions are used. For example: with me - with me, about them - about them.

Posessive pronouns in absolute form are used in the absence of nouns. For example: your pencil - your pencil, it is yours - it is yours. Despite the sophisticated theoretical names, the meaning of each group of pronouns is quite simple. This denotes the affiliation of persons or objects.

Reflexive pronouns in Russian are usually not translated into separate words , but the ending “-sya”, “-sya” is added to the active verb, and it becomes reflexive-passive. For example: she has washed herself - she washed herself, they are putting on themselves - they are getting dressed.

These pronouns have the same meaning in translation. The only difference is the definiteness or uncertainty of the expression.

Demonstrative pronouns are the same for all genders.

Interrogative pronouns are used in interrogative and affirmative sentences. Whom represents the objective case of the word who .

For brevity, near some the translation is given only in the masculine gender, but in the same way this word is used in the feminine or neuter, in any number.

There are several pronunciation options for several. The use or omission of vowels depends on the dialect, and even on the personal preferences of the speaker.

Rules of application

The word I (I) is always written in capital letter. Other pronouns begin with a capital letter only at the beginning of a sentence.

You is translated in Russian as “you” or “you”, depending on the surrounding context. It must be taken into account that you can politely address one person as “You”.

Some pronouns are used only in a certain context (like articles), or only in an indefinite one:

• other (each other);
• another (one another).

The language construction neither… nor… is used within one sentence. After neither, one option of negated objects, events or actions is mentioned, after nor - the second option (also with negation). Either... or is used in the same way, but in affirmative phrases.

Examples

– E ither I will have read book in English or in French - I will read an English or French book (but not both at once).

– Neither we visited London, no r you did – neither we were in London, nor you.

– No one may enter this room – no one can (has the right) to enter this room.

– Y ou had to do your homework, but had done nothing – you should have done your homework, but you didn’t do anything.

– We asked few , but they gave us too much – we asked for little, but they gave us too much.

Bottom line

Full table of pronouns in English with transcription is useful as a reference. You don't have to look in a dictionary or use an online translator to find out how to pronounce a word correctly. It is also easy to choose the appropriate one by looking at the entire list when difficulties arise with choosing a pronoun.

As you know, all parts of speech are divided into independent and auxiliary. As in Russian, pronouns in English belong to an independent part of speech, which denotes an object or is a sign of it, but does not directly name persons and objects. These words do not name relationships and properties, do not give spatial or temporal characteristics.

Pronouns (Pronouns) in English replace a noun, which is why they are called “in place of a name” - He, you, it. These words can also be used instead of an adjective - Such, that, these. As in Russian, so in English, there are a lot of such lexical units, but it is necessary to know them and use them correctly. Therefore, let’s move on directly to the study.

According to their meaning, Pronouns can be classified into several groups. I suggest you familiarize yourself with this classification and the characteristics of each group:

Personal are the most important and most common pronouns. In a sentence they act as the subject. And the word "I (I)" is always written in capital letters, regardless of whether it is at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. And the pronoun you (you, you) expresses both the plural and the singular.

It should also be remembered that lexemes he (he) and she (she) used if they want to designate an animate person, and it- to designate animals, abstract concepts and inanimate objects. A "they" used both in relation to inanimate objects and animate persons.

Personal pronouns in English are declined according to cases. When they act as the subject of a sentence, they are in the nominative case, and when they act as a complement, in the objective case. To make it clearer for you, please study the table

Possessive pronouns

English possessive pronouns (Possessive) we discussed in detail in the previous article. But let me remind you that they express belonging, have two forms - adjective and noun, answer the question “Whose?” and do not change in numbers. There is also a special absolute form. Look at the table showing how Possessive Pronouns are inclined:

Demonstrative pronouns in English

Demonstrative or demonstrative - point to a person or object. Demonstrative pronouns in English do not change by gender, but are declined by number, that is, they have singular and plural forms. Wherein " this" refers to an object that is located next to the speaker, and the word " that" indicates an object located at a considerable distance.

In addition, “that” can be translated into Russian as “this, this.” Demonstrative pronouns in English in a sentence can serve as subject, object, modifier or noun.

Reflexive pronouns in English

Reflexive or reflexive - express a reflexive meaning, show that the action is directed at the actor himself, therefore, reflexive pronouns in English in a sentence correspond in form to the subject.

Their distinguishing feature is that they end with “- self"singular or "- selves" in plural)". In Russian, this is the verbal suffix “-sya (-s)” or the pronoun “yourself (yourself, yourself, yourself)”: He cut himself - He cut himself

Indefinite pronouns in English

Indefinite is one of the largest groups of English pronouns. Nouns and adjectives can be substituted in sentences. Indefinite pronouns in English can be divided into words formed from “no” (no, not at all), “any” (any, several, a little) and “some” (several, a little).

Other Indefinite Pronouns include: every, each, both, all, few, little, many, much.

Interrogative pronouns in English

Interrogatives are very similar to relatives, but perform completely different functions in a sentence where they are the subject, adjective or object: Who is there? - Who's there? Sometimes they can be a nominal part of the predicate. Interrogative pronouns in English are also called "question words":

• who? - Who?
• which? - which?
• whom? - whom? to whom?
• where? - Where?
• what? - What?
• whose? - whose?
• when? - When?
• why? - Why?

Other pronouns

We dwelled in more detail on the main and more numerous pronouns, but there are other groups of pronouns in English:

• Universal: all, both, everyone, everybody, everything, every, either, each
• Dividers: another, other
• Negative: no, nobody, nothing, no one, neither, none
• Relative: that, which, whose, who