Different rules to follow while using pronoun:
Rule 1: Pronouns when used as the subject of the sentence are called
subject pronouns.
Example: I, he, we, they, who are all examples of subject pronouns.
Rule 2: Subject pronouns are also used if they rename the subject. They will follow to be verbs, like is, am, were, will be etc.
Examples:
It is she.
It is we who are responsible for the downfall of the company.
Rule 3: This rule surprises even the masters of the language. Situations where ‘who’acts as a i.e. I, you, she, we etc. pronoun that agrees with it should be used.
Example:
Correct sentence: It is I who am sorry. (I am).
Incorrect: It is I who is sorry.
Rule 4: Other than subject pronouns, there are also object pronouns, which are commonly known as direct object, indirect object and object of a preposition. Object pronouns include me, him, herself, themselves.
Examples:
Raman saw
him.
Here ‘him’ is the direct object of the verb saw.
Give
her a pen.
Pen is the direct object of give and indirect object is her.
Words ‘to’ or ‘for’ are always placed prior to the indirect objectives.
For example:
- Give (to) her the pen.
- Do (for) me a favor.
Are you talking to me? (Here object of the preposition is ‘Me’)
Rule 5: The singular and plural verbs depend on whether the subject is singular or plural. If subject is singular then singular verb, if subject is plural then
plural verb.
For example:
- He is the only one of those teachers who is always on time. (The word who refers to the single individual. Therefore, use the singular verb is.)
Sometimes we have to look carefully to find a verb’s true subject.
For example:
- She is one of those women who are always on time. (Here the word who is referring to the women. Therefore, always use the plural verb “are”.)
Rule 6: Singular pronouns such as I, he, she, everyone, anyone, no one, somebody, either, neither, etc. require singular verbs. This rule is often skipped while using the pronouns like each, neither, either, followed by and of. All these three pronouns always take singular verbs.
For example:
- Each of the boys dances well.
- Either of us is efficient enough of doing this job.
- Neither of them is available to complete the task.
Rule 7: To decide whether to use the subject or object pronoun after the words than or as, mentally complete the sentence.
For examples:
- Raman is as good looking as she/her.
If we speak the complete sentence, we would say Raman is as smart as she is. So, she is the correct answer.
- Sham is shorter than I/her.
If we speak the entire sentence, we would have said said Sham is shorter than I am.
- Raj would rather talk to her than I/me.
This sentence can be explained in two ways.
- Raj would rather talk to her than to me.
OR
- Raj would rather talk to her than I would.
The meaning of the sentence can be changed depending on the pronoun that the writer choses.
Rule 8: Possessive pronouns like yours, his, hers, ours, theirs, and whose doesn’t need apostrophes. Don’t make mistakes like her’s and your’s.
Rule 9: an apostrophe is used with itn when it has a relation with is or has. The word oneself has no apostrophe. So avoid using it.
For example:
- It’s been a cold night.
- She’s the one who’s always punctual.
- He’s the one whose kids are always on time.
Rule 10: reflexive pronouns are those which end with self or selves. The types of reflexive pronouns are myself, herself, yourself, itself, oneself, ourselves and themselves. When the subject and the object of verb are the same thing or person, then reflexive pronouns are used.
For example:
- Raman helped herself.
- If the object of a preposition refers to a previous noun or pronoun then use a reflexive pronoun.
- Sham bought it for himself.