Personal pronouns are a type of pronoun that replaces nouns in the sentence. They are most frequently used in English communication. Learning what they are and how to use them correctly is essential for language learners.
In this article, you will learn about personal pronouns, examples of personal pronouns, and how to use them correctly in a sentence. You will also find example sentences in which personal pronouns are used to help you understand how to use them correctly.
Personal pronouns are words that are used in the sentence to replace or substitute nouns. The primary goal of using pronouns is to avoid the repetition of words and create elegant sentences. Take a look at the following examples to better understand the use and function of pronouns.
- Ali is my friend. Ali works at the store. Ali is hardworking person.
- Ali is my friend, he works at the store, and he is hardworking person.
In the first sentence, we use the noun Ali three times, which does not sound good because of the repetition. Therefore, we use the personal pronoun he instead of the noun Ali. In the second sentence, the pronoun he replaces the noun Ali to create a beautiful and fluent sentence.
Examples of Personal Pronouns
- I
- We
- You
- He
- She
- It
- They
Types of Personal Pronouns
Personal pronouns are divided into three types or groups.
- First-person pronouns (I, We)
- Second-person pronouns (You)
- Third-person pronouns (He, She, It, They)
First-person pronouns
First-person pronouns are I and We. The word I is used as a singular pronoun, whereas We are used as a plural in the sentence. To match the subject-verb agreement, we use singular and plural verbs accordingly. Take a look at the following examples.
- I play cricket.
- I work hard.
- I sleep early at night.
- We play cricket.
- We work hard.
- We sleep early at night.
First-Person Pronouns
To match the subject-verb agreement, you must use the singular pronoun with the singular verb and the plural pronoun with the plural verb. See the examples below to clear the concept.
- I am playing cricket.
- I am cooking food.
- I am watching TV.
- We are playing cricket.
- We are cooking food.
- We are watching TV.
- I was sleeping.
- I was cleaning
- I was reading.
- We were sleeping.
- We were cleaning.
- We were reading.
Second-person Pronouns
The second person pronoun is you, and it is used as a singular pronoun in the sentence. It requires a singular verb. See the examples below.
Examples
- You play tennis.
- You work hard.
- You go to school.
Third person pronouns
Third-person pronouns are he, she, it, and they.
He, she, and “it” are singular third-person pronouns, and “they” is plural third-person pronouns.
Examples:
- He works.
- She works.
- It works.
- They work.
Subject and Object Pronouns
Personal pronouns are further categorized as subject and object pronouns based on their function in the sentence. Subject pronouns, which are also known as nominative cases, replace noun subjects. If the pronoun replaces an object, it is called an objective case.
Second Person Singular vs. Plural
The second-person pronoun you is used in both singular and plural forms. You can use it as singular or plural if you are addressing one person or a group of persons. Second person pronouns you is used as a singular pronoun when addressing one person. On the other hand, if you are addressing a group of people, it functions as a plural pronoun.
Examples
- You must pass the test to get your driving license.
- You were doing your best to help us.
- You can come and visit us anytime.
Take a look at the following example to learn how the second-person pronoun you is used as a plural personal pronoun.
Examples
- He entered the room and told the students, “You are taking your exam in this room.”
The singular They
They are the third-person plural pronouns. However, they are also used as singular in sentences. The singular they is used to hide the identity of the person deliberately or to make a general statement about someone whose identity is unknown.
- I talked to my doctor, and they told me to take a rest.
In this sentence, they is used as singular pronouns to make a general statement without talking about the identity of the person (here is a doctor).
Personal pronouns are a type of pronoun used to replace or substitute a noun in a sentence. They are divided into three groups: first, second, and their persons. First-person pronouns are I and We; second-person pronouns include you; third-person pronouns refer to he, she, it, and they.
Example Sentences Using Personal Pronouns
- He is studying for the exam.
- She is writing a story.
- They are playing outside in the yard.
- We were traveling last summer.
- We were working on our assignment.
- They will be waiting for you.
- They will be coming to visit us.
- You are doing great to inspire your fans.
- You were working hard to achieve your goals.
- It is working well.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are personal pronouns?
Personal pronouns are a type of pronoun that substitutes for or replaces nouns in a sentence. They show the number, grammatical person, and sometimes gender.
What are examples of personal pronouns?
The personal pronouns for subjects are I, you, he, she, it, we, and they. For objects, they are me, you, him, her, it, us, and them.
Should personal pronouns be capitalized?
The first-person pronoun I is the only pronoun that must be capitalized in the sentence. The rest of the pronouns are not capitalized in the sentence. However, if any personal pronouns appear at the beginning of the sentence or in the title, they are capitalized.
Should you use personal pronouns in an essay?
Personal pronouns can be used in the essays. However, they are avoided in academic writing.
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