What Are the Different Types of Pronouns? (2024)

Languages ›English as a Second Language

There are four types of pronouns: subject pronouns, object pronouns, possessive pronouns, and demonstrative pronouns. Pronouns are one of the eight parts of speech.

Pronouns take the place of a person, place, or thing in sentences once the context is understood. For example:

Peter enjoys walking his dog in the park. He often walks three or more miles with him.

In this case, the pronouns 'he' in the second sentence replaces 'Peter', and the object 'him' replaces 'his dog'. Pronouns are used in all languages including English to simplify the language. English learners should learn the following types of pronouns, paying special attention to minor differences between each form.​

Subject Pronouns

Subject Pronouns -I, you, he, she, it, we, you, they function as the subject of a sentence:

• I live in New York.
• Do you like playing tennis?
• He doesn't want to come this evening.
• She works in London.
• It won't be easy.
• We are studying pronouns at the moment.
• You went to Paris last year, didn't you?
• They bought a new car last month.

Object Pronouns

Object Pronouns -me, you, him, her, it, us, you, them serve as the object of a verb.

• Give me the book.
• He told you to come tonight.
• She asked him to help.
• They visited her when they came to New York.
• She bought it at the store.
• He picked us up at the airport.
• The teacher asked you to finish your homework.
• I invited them to a party.

Possessive Pronouns

Possessive pronouns -mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, yours, theirs show that something belongs to someone. Note that the possessive pronouns are similar to possessive adjectives (my, his, her). The difference is that the object follows the possessive adjective but does not follow the possessive pronoun. For example: "That book is mine" (possessive pronoun) vs. "That is my book" (possessive adjective).

• That house is mine.
• This is yours.
• I'm sorry, that's his.
• Those books are hers.
• Those students are ours.
• Look over there, those seats are yours.
• Theirs will be green.

Demonstrative Pronouns

Demonstrative pronouns -this, that, these, those refer to things. 'This' and 'these' refer to something that is near. 'That' and 'those' refer to things that are farther away.

• This is my house.
• That is our car over there.
• These are my colleagues in this room.
• Those are beautiful flowers in the next field.

Possessive Adjectives

Possessive adjectives - my, your, his, her, its, our, your, their are often confused with possessive pronouns. The possessive adjective modifies the noun following it in order to show possession.

• I'll get my books.
• Is that your car over there?
• That is his teacher, Mr. Jones.
• I want to go to her store.
• Its color is red.
• Can we bring our children?
• You are welcome to invite your families.
• They bought their children a lot of presents.