English Grammar for Class 4: Pronouns

To properly learn a language, it is important to understand the elements and use them correctly. One important element of the English language is grammar. In this article, let us focus on a grammar concept that we apply in our everyday lives. We will learn pronouns for Class 4.

What are Pronouns?

Katherine planned to travel last weekend. Katherine faced a few challenges and ended up cancelling Katherine’s plans. But, instead of staying home, Katherine met with a few friends, and Katherine’s friends consoled Katherine.

This example sounds quite unnatural. The person’s name is constantly repeated, making it sound odd and repetitive. This sort of repetition should be avoided to help people:

• Read easier
• Understand the meaning
• Convey ideas better

The words ‘Katherine’ and ‘Katherine’s friends’ are nouns. These nouns are name words for people, places, objects, thoughts, and ideas. Repeating them throughout sentences and in a paragraph makes it confusing as well. To help with this, we use pronouns to make sentence formation easier.

These pronouns are words that are used instead of nouns in their place. They are used in a manner that they refer to the nouns and convey the right meaning. Here is a different version of the example we discussed above:

Katherine planned to travel last weekend. She faced a few challenges and ended up cancelling her plans. But, instead of staying home, Katherine met with a few friends, and they consoled her.

Is this easier to read?

The words ‘she’, ‘her’, and ‘they’ are pronouns. They take the places of the words ‘Katherine’ and ‘Katherine’s friends’ but still help you understand their place. These pronouns, by definition, substitute the nouns to avoid repetition.

 

 A pronoun is a part of speech with various types and classifications commonly used today. That is why it is important as a part of Class 4 English Grammar.

Types of Pronouns

There are seven different types of pronouns based on the types of nouns they replace.

1. Personal pronouns

If a pronoun is used in place of a person or an object, they are called personal pronouns.

Example: Anna went out for dinner last night.

            She went out for dinner last night.

Personal pronouns can further be divided into two types. If they take the place of a noun in the subject position, they are called subjective pronouns. If they take the place of a noun in the object position, they are called objective pronouns.

Example 1: Ben, Alex, and Sam tried to click a sunset picture.

(Subjective) They tried to click a picture of the sunset.

Example 2: Timothy was trying to surprise Sarah and Patricia.

(Objective)  Timothy was trying to surprise them.

2. Reflexive pronouns

When the performer of an action is saying the statement, they most often use reflexive pronouns. This is usually used only when the subject and object in the sentence are the same and talk about it before, during, or after the action is performed. They usually end with -self or -selves.

Example 1: I hurt myself trying to ride a bike for the first time.

Example 2: To know more about what makes you happy, you need to ask yourself first.

Example 3: She had to teach herself to drive since her family lived elsewhere.

3. Possessive pronouns

If a personal pronoun is used as a substitute for a noun that is in possession of something, they are called possessive pronouns. They can be used in the singular or plural form.

 

Example 1: Sasha scolded Jake for taking her phone.

Example 2: Lola said, “The bottle in the classroom is mine.”

Example 3: Dan left a book yesterday. His book is still there.

4. Indefinite pronouns

When there is no specific data for a noun, such as a number or a name, the pronoun that replaces it is called an indefinite pronoun. There is no reference to anything in particular for these nouns.

Example 1: Is there anyone here that knows the way to 2nd Avenue?

Example 2: Hannah asked me if I like eggs or bacon. I said that I didn’t like either!

Example 3: Would it be possible to bring some paper on your way?

5. Relative pronouns

When pronouns are used to replace nouns to connect phrases, clauses, or two statements, they are called relative pronouns. They are usually used to introduce a relative clause and help relate its meaning better.

Example 1: The girl who won forgot to collect her prize later.

Example 2: The food that I ordered online was spoilt and poorly packed.

Example 3: The book store we go to twice a month shut down due to no funds.

6. Demonstrative pronouns

The pronouns used to describe, enunciate or modify a person, thing, or idea are demonstrative pronouns. Used in the singular or plural sense, these can refer to the nouns in the same sentence or those mentioned before.

 

Example 1: Those flowers in the vase look very pretty.

Example 2: Mail all these documents to the teacher tonight.

Example 3: This story was told a few days ago as well.

7. Interrogative Pronouns

Pronouns used in place of nouns to ask for an answer are interrogative pronouns. Usually, question words in the singular or plural are used.

Example 1: What would you like to eat tonight?

Example 2: She wanted to know which bus went to the beach.

Example 3: The cop asked who drove the car that day.

Now, let us see when and where these different types of pronouns can be used.

If you’re looking to know more about the case classification of pronouns for class 4, visit PlanetSpark.

Rules of pronouns

Now that you have understood what a pronoun is, the types of pronouns, and their uses. Let us learn some of its rules.

1. Put yourself second.

Remember that you need to use the pronoun referring to another person first before referring to yourself.

Examples:

• Latha and I went shopping yesterday.
• You and I should go to the concert tomorrow.
• My mom baked this cake for you and me.

The reason behind this rule is very simple. It is good manners to put others before you and so to use the other pronoun first shows good manners.

2. Do not add apostrophes to pronouns.

When using possessive pronouns like theirs, ours, hers, do not use the apostrophe (’).

Example:

• That pencil is hers.
• Do not touch the car; it is theirs.

 

Using an apostrophe (’) next to a pronoun would mean that it is an abbreviation of the word.

Example:

• She’s going to go out. (‘She’s’ an abbreviation of ‘she is’)
• It’s very hot, be careful! (‘It’s’ is an abbreviation of ‘it is’)

3. The pronoun needs to agree with the noun that it will be replacing.

You need to make sure that the pronoun used in the sentence should be in the same class as the noun used. For example, he should be used only for a male noun, and she should only be used for a female noun.

Example:

• John is very tall, and he will be great for the job.
• Rani is a great singer; she will perform well!
• My friend and I are going out tomorrow. You should join us!

Learn more about the dos and don’ts for Class 4 English Grammar at PlanetSpark.

FAQs

Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about pronouns:

1. Are names pronouns?

No, names are not pronouns. However, in some sentences, a pronoun can replace names.

2. Is it important to replace nouns with pronouns?

Yes, it is important. Without pronouns, the sentence will be repetitive and boring.

3. What can I replace ‘he’ with?

He can be replaced with any male name, him, himself, and his.

4. Can a sentence have two pronouns?

Yes, a sentence can have more than two pronouns.

5. What are all the pronouns?

• I, Mine, Me, My, Myself
• You, Yourself, Your, Yours
• He, Him, His, Himself
• She, Her, Hers, Herself
• It, Its, Itself
• We, Us, Our, Ours, Ourselves
• They, Them, Their, Theirs, Themselves

 

We hope this article about pronouns was helpful. To Learn Class 4 English Grammar and more about pronouns, visit PlanetSpark and learn from the best teachers and writers.