Class 8 English Grammar - Pronouns

 

 

Consider these sentences

Nora has a pet Labrador named Pogo. Nora takes it for a walk every day in the evening. Pogo is very special to Nora.

 

Do you think these sentences are grammatically correct? If not, what do you think is wrong with them? That’s right. The name Nora is being repeated in every preceding sentence. In English grammar, the name of the noun is not repeated in every sentence.

 

Let us attempt to rewrite the sentences in correct grammar.

Nora has a pet Labrador named Pogo. She takes it for a walk every day in the evening. Pogo is very special to her.

 

In the above sentences, we have replaced the noun Nora with words such as she and her in the preceding sentences. These words are also called pronouns. Let us delve deep into the topic of Pronouns for class 8 English Grammar.

 

What are pronouns?

 

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a pronoun is any word used instead of a noun.

 

Pronouns are used for nouns that are already established in the first sentence. The nouns are then not necessarily repeated in preceding sentences, and pronouns are used instead. Some examples of pronouns are she, he, him, her, they, them, their, etc.,

 

Pronouns help shorten sentences and make them sound less boring and repetitive. These are very important parts of English grammar and should be learned as a way to improve English writing skills. Pronouns are also an important part of class 8 English grammar.

 

For example - Kamal woke up early today. Kamal didn’t want to miss his morning class. Here, the noun is Kamal. As it is established in the first sentence, the noun in the second sentence can be replaced with the pronoun he.

 

Let us rewrite the sentences using pronouns.

Kamal woke up early today. He didn’t want to miss his morning class.

 

What are the different types of pronouns for Class 8?

 

Pronouns are an indispensable part of English grammar and speech and are extensively used in sentences and paragraphs. There are different types of pronouns used in the English language. The following are details about each type of pronoun with their usage and examples.

 

In class 8 English, you will learn about nine types of pronouns. They are:

 

1. Personal pronouns

 

While learning pronouns for class 8, personal pronouns are given primary importance. Personal pronouns are used to refer to the speaker or any other thing or person the speaker is referring to. Personal pronouns are used instead of common names and act just like the noun, subject, or object in a sentence or a phrase.

 

For example: I, she, we, us, they, them, it, you, me.

 

Personal pronouns can be used to refer to people, animals, or even inanimate objects. They are of two types -

Singular personal pronouns (I, you, she, him, it)

Plural personal pronouns (we, us, they, them)

 

Some sentences that use personal pronouns are:

• Rita is a good girl. She respects her parents and elders.
• The students created a ruckus as they wanted a longer recess.
• We went to that restaurant again for the delicious food.

 

2. Possessive pronouns

 

As the name suggests, a possessive pronoun is used to indicate possession or ownership. Possessive pronouns can also be used to imply a special relationship or an origin of an object.

 

For example: Mine, his, hers, theirs, ours, it’s.

 

Possessive pronouns can be used as subjects or objects. They are of two types:

Singular possessive pronouns (mine, yours, hers, his)

Plural possessive pronouns (ours, yours, theirs)

 

A special rule while using possessive pronouns is that it should match the number of the owner, not the object owned. You can learn pronouns for class 8 CBSE and many such exceptions only at Planetspark.

 

Some sentences that use possessive pronouns are:

• Emily was carrying a lot of red pencils today. This must be hers.
• Our model is better than theirs.
• Here, this coat is yours, and that one is mine.

 

3. Relative pronoun

 

An important pronoun for class 8 English, a relative pronoun is used to connect a statement with a clause that cannot stand alone. In other words, a relative pronoun connects an independent clause with a dependent clause to complete a statement. This is better understood with the following example:

           

            Ram is a friend who has always supported me.

            Ram is a friend-dependent clause

            Who- relative pronoun

            Who has always supported me- independent clause?

 

For example: which, that, who, whom.

 

Some other sentences that use relative nouns are:

• I wanted to buy an apartment that had a garden.
• My mother is the one who encouraged me to chase my dreams.
• Sit in the car which is parked by the gate.

 

4. Reflexive pronoun

 

A reflexive pronoun is used as an object and refers to the same thing or person as a subject. It is also used in a sentence when the object of a verb is the same as the subject, or when the subject is describing themselves.

 

For example: herself, himself, myself, yourself, themselves.

 

Reflexive pronouns are of two types:

Singular reflexive pronouns (myself, yourself, itself)

Plural reflexive pronoun (themselves, ourselves, yourselves)

 

Some sentences that use reflexive pronouns are-

• She went to the movies all by herself.
• They lifted the heavy weight all by themselves.
• The pufferfish puffs itself to scare its predators.

 

5. Indefinite pronoun

 

An indefinite pronoun is a pronoun used to indicate an unknown person or object. They are used in sentences to indicate vague ideas about an unknown person or quantity or refer to something absent. Sometimes, we have to use dependent clauses to mention what the indefinite pronoun is describing.

 

For example: someone, several, nothing, neither, few, both.

 

Indefinite pronouns are of two types:

Singular indefinite pronoun (anybody, each, either, everybody, little, less)

Plural indefinite pronoun (both, many, several, others)

 

Some sentences that use indefinite pronouns are:

• Everyone was shocked by the sudden change in weather.
• Something smells really fishy.
• Many people opted out of the program that day.

 

6. Demonstrative pronoun

 

As the name suggests, demonstrative pronouns are used to point at specific objects or people. These can be used as a subject or object.

 

For example: this, that, these, those.

 

Demonstrative pronouns are of two types:

Singular demonstrative pronouns (this, that)

Plural demonstrative pronoun (these, those)

 

Some sentences that use demonstrative pronouns are:

• This is my car.
• Those books belong to the library.
• That dog bites.

 

7. Interrogative pronoun

 

This is perhaps the easiest pronoun related to class 8 English grammar pronouns. Interrogative pronouns are used to ask questions. These pronouns are the first word in the question that usually ends with a question mark. However, there are exceptions to these rules as well.

 

For example: who, when, where, why.

 

Some sentences that use interrogative pronouns are:

• What is your name?
• Why are you here in the middle of the day?
• Excuse me? What did you say your name was?

 

8.  Intensive pronoun

 

Intensive pronouns are used to place emphasis on the subject or the object in the sentence.  These are usually used to express something that is uncommon or out of the ordinary. An intensive pronoun almost always follows the noun or pronoun it refers to. However, there are exceptions to this case.

 

For example: myself, yourself, themselves.

 

Intensive pronouns are of two types:

Singular intensive pronouns (myself, yourself, itself)

Plural intensive pronoun (themselves, ourselves, yourselves)

 

Some sentences that use interrogative pronouns are-

• The singer wrote all the songs herself.
• The principal himself addressed the meeting.
• You yourself have the power to change your habits.

 

9. Reciprocal pronouns

 

These are the last part of class 8 English pronouns. Reciprocal pronouns are used to express a mutual relationship between subjects. These are typically used as objects in a sentence.

 

For example: each other, one another.

 

Some sentences that use reciprocal pronouns are:

• People of all religions should love one another.
• Having respect for each other between friends is very important.
• All the animals stood together to protect one another.

 

Learning English Grammar in class 8 can be quite challenging if you do not have the right guidance. At Planetspark, experienced and friendly teachers help you understand English grammar concepts in detail with examples. Learn pronouns for Class 8 CBSE and many other topics from experienced teachers only at Planetspark. Enrol now for a perfect English grammar foundation.

 

 

FAQs

 

1. What are pronouns?

 

Simply put, pronouns are words that are used in the place of nouns. Pronouns help shorten sentences and avoid the repeated use of nouns in sentences or paragraphs.

 

2. What are some commonly used pronouns?

 

I, me, she, them, it, yours are some common examples of pronouns. These words can be used in place of a noun, when it is already established previously.

 

3. What are some pronouns used for gender-neutral or non-binary people?

 

People who are gender-neutral or non-binary can refer to themselves as they, them, themselves, instead of he/she, or her/him.

 

4. How are pronouns used?

 

Pronouns are generally used when we are referring to a person without using their name. In fact, pronouns can even be used to refer to inanimate objects or animals.

 

5. Where can I learn about pronouns?

 

You can learn about pronouns in the above post. Alternatively, you can also enrol with Planetspark’s English language classes to get in-depth knowledge about all the aspects of English grammar.