There are more than 100 pronouns. Here's the full list… (2024)

The Free Dictionary Blog > English Grammar and Spelling > Master these 10 most common writing tasks and you're set for life > There are more than 100 pronouns. Here's the full list…

A list of pronouns, plus definitions for each type of pronoun. Scroll to the end for a full pronouns list.

There are more than 100 pronouns. Here's the full list… (1)

What is a pronoun?

Pronouns are some of the most useful words in the English language. They are used in the place of a noun to avoid it having to be named twice. For example: Suzy threw the boomerang and it came back to her. In this sentence, "it" is a pronoun that represents the boomerang, and "her" is a pronoun that refers to Suzy. Without pronouns, we'd have to say Suzy threw the boomerang and the boomerang came back to Suzy. Without pronouns, how would we even say "we"?

Here's the full definition.

Definition of Pronoun

In English, the part of speech used as a substitute for an antecedent noun that is clearly understood, and with which it agrees in person, number, and gender. Pronouns are classified as personal (I, we, you, he, she, it, they), demonstrative (this, these, that, those), relative (who, which, that, as), indefinite (each, all, everyone, either, one, both, any, such, somebody), interrogative (who, which, what), reflexive (myself, herself), possessive (mine, yours, his, hers, theirs). There are also pronominal adjectives, sometimes called possessive adjectives (my, your, his, her, our, their).

1. Personal Pronouns / Subject Pronouns

You already know subject pronouns, even if you didn't know that's what they were called. Subject pronouns are used to replace the subject in a sentence. You might also see them called "personal" pronouns, as they designate the person speaking (I, me, we, us), the person spoken to (you), or the person or thing spoken about (he, she, it, they, him, her, them). The following commonly used words are subject pronouns:

I
we
you (singular and plural)
he
she
it
they

Personal pronoun examples

I will be leaving soon.

You are welcome.

She is the new teacher.

He speaks three languages.

They are very friendly neighbors.

2. Object Pronouns

Object pronouns are used as the object of a verb or a preposition.

me
us
you (singular and plural)
her
him
it
them

Object pronoun examples

They offered me a ride. ("Me" is the object of the verb "offered.")

This letter is addressed to me. ("Me" is the object of the preposition "to.")

3. Possessive Pronouns

A possessive pronoun designates ownership and can substitute for noun phrases.

mine
ours
yours (singular and plural)
hers
his
theirs

Possessive pronoun examples

The green gloves are mine.

That cat is hers.

The red house is theirs.

Possessive Adjectives / Pronominal Adjectives

"Pronominal" describes something that resembles a pronoun, as by specifying a person, place, or thing, while functioning primarily as another part of speech. A pronominal adjective is an adjective that resembles a pronoun. "Her" in "her car" is a pronominal adjective.

my
our
your
her
his
their

4. Reflexive Pronouns

Reflexive pronouns might be the easiest group to remember because they all have one thing in common: the ending "self" or "selves." That's because reflexive pronouns show how the actions of an aforementioned person or group affects him or her (or them).

myself
yourself
herself
himself
itself
ourselves
yourselves
themselves

Reflexive pronoun examples

I bought myself a new car.

That man thinks a great deal of himself.

We may be deceiving ourselves.

5. Intensive Pronouns

Intensive and reflexive pronouns are actually the exact same words (ending with "self" or "selves"), but they function differently in a sentence. Intensive pronouns not only refer back to a previously mentioned person or people, but they also emphasize. As their name suggests, they intensify.

myself
yourself
herself
himself
itself
ourselves
yourselves
themselves

Intensive pronoun examples

I myself was certain of the facts.

The trouble is in the machine itself.

The cooks themselves eat after all the guests have finished.

6. Indefinite Pronouns

As the word "indefinite" suggests, these pronouns do not specify the identity of their referents. They are more vague than other pronouns.

all
another
any
anybody
anyone
anything
both
each
either
everybody
everyone
everything
few
many
most
neither
nobody
none
no one
nothing
one
other
others
several
some
somebody
someone
something
such

Indefinite pronouns examples

Both were candidates.

No one is home.

Several of the workers went home sick.

7. Demonstrative Pronouns

Demonstrative pronouns specify a particular person or thing.

such
that
these
this
those

Demonstrative pronouns examples

I don't much care for these.

Who's that?

Such are the fortunes of war.

8. Interrogative Pronouns

This group of pronouns question which individual referent or referents are intended by the rest of the sentence.

what
whatever
which
whichever
who
whoever
whom
whomever
whose

Interrogative pronoun examples

Who left?

Which of these is yours?

Do whatever you please.

9. Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns introduce a dependent clause and refer to an antecedent (simply the word or phrase to which a pronoun refers). For instance, who in the child who is wearing a hat or that in the house that you live in.

as
that
what
whatever
which
whichever
who
whoever
whom
whomever
whose

Relative pronoun examples

The car that has a flat tire needs to be towed.

The visitor who came yesterday left his phone number.

Do whatever you like.

10. Archaic Pronouns

There are several pronouns that have fallen out of common usage but appear frequently in older texts, so there is still a good chance that you will encounter them. "Thee" is an old word for "you" used only when addressing one person, while "thy" is an old word for "your." "Thine" indicates the one or ones belonging to thee.

thou
thee
thy
thine
ye

Archaic pronoun examples

Thou shalt not kill.

With this ring, I thee wed.

Thy name is more hateful than thy face.

To thine own self be true.

List of all pronouns

A full list of every word that can be considered a pronoun or pronominal adjective:

all
another
any
anybody
anyone
anything
as
aught
both
each
each other
either
enough
everybody
everyone
everything
few
he
her
hers
herself
him
himself
his
I
idem
it
its
itself
many
me
mine
most
my
myself
naught
neither
no one
nobody
none
nothing
nought
one
one another
other
others
ought
our
ours
ourself
ourselves
several
she
some
somebody
someone
something
somewhat
such
suchlike
that
thee
their
theirs
theirself
theirselves
them
themself
themselves
there
these
they
thine
this
those
thou
thy
thyself
us
we
what
whatever
whatnot
whatsoever
whence
where
whereby
wherefrom
wherein
whereinto
whereof
whereon
wherever
wheresoever
whereto
whereunto
wherewith
wherewithal
whether
which
whichever
whichsoever
who
whoever
whom
whomever
whomso
whomsoever
whose
whosever
whosesoever
whoso
whosoever
ye
yon
yonder
you
your
yours
yourself
yourselves

Are there any pronouns we missed?

Get all volumes of The Farlex Grammar Book in paperback or eBook.

As a language enthusiast with a deep understanding of grammar and language structures, let me delve into the concepts covered in the article "Master these 10 most common writing tasks and you're set for life," specifically the section on pronouns. Pronouns are indispensable elements in the English language, serving the crucial function of replacing nouns to enhance clarity and avoid redundancy. The article presents a comprehensive list of pronouns and provides definitions for each type, showcasing a well-rounded understanding of the topic.

Definition of Pronoun: Pronouns, defined in the article, are parts of speech used to substitute for antecedent nouns, with agreement in person, number, and gender. The absence of pronouns would lead to repetitive and cumbersome language.
Personal Pronouns / Subject Pronouns: The article rightly emphasizes the importance of subject pronouns, which include words like I, we, you, he, she, it, and they. Subject pronouns replace the subject in a sentence, allowing for more concise and varied expression.
Object Pronouns: Object pronouns, such as me, us, you, her, him, and them, serve as the objects of verbs or prepositions. The article provides clear examples demonstrating their usage in different contexts.
Possessive Pronouns: Possessive pronouns (mine, ours, yours, hers, his, theirs) denote ownership and can substitute for noun phrases. The article illustrates their application through concise and effective examples.
Reflexive Pronouns: Reflexive pronouns (myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves) are highlighted, and the article skillfully explains their purpose in reflecting the actions of a person or group back onto themselves.
Intensive Pronouns: The distinction between intensive and reflexive pronouns is discussed. Intensive pronouns, which intensify emphasis, are shown to be identical to reflexive pronouns (ending with "self" or "selves").
Indefinite Pronouns: Indefinite pronouns (all, another, any, anybody, anyone, anything, both, each, either, enough, everybody, everyone, everything, few, many, most, neither, nobody, none, nothing, one, other, others, several, some, somebody, someone, something, such) are covered, emphasizing their vague reference to unidentified entities.
Demonstrative Pronouns: Demonstrative pronouns (such, that, these, this, those) are introduced, specifying particular persons or things. The examples provided showcase their usage effectively.
Interrogative Pronouns: Interrogative pronouns (what, whatever, which, whichever, who, whoever, whom, whomever, whose) are explained in the context of posing questions, with illustrative examples.
Relative Pronouns: Relative pronouns (as, that, what, whatever, which, whichever, who, whoever, whom, whomever, whose) are discussed, showing their role in introducing dependent clauses and referring to antecedents.
Archaic Pronouns: The article acknowledges the existence of archaic pronouns (thou, thee, thy, thine, ye), which, though less common today, are still encountered in older texts. Examples are provided to illustrate their usage.

The article concludes with an extensive list of pronouns and pronominal adjectives, demonstrating a thorough exploration of the topic. It serves as a valuable resource for anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of pronouns in the English language.