Rules Relating to Personal Pronoun

Pronoun

A Pronoun is a word which is used in place of a Noun. It refers to a noun. It is used to avoid the repetition of Noun word in a sentence.

Kinds of Pronoun

S.No	Types	Examples
1	Personal Pronoun	I, We, You, Me, It etc.
2	Demonstrative Pronoun	This,these,that,those
3	Indefinite Pronoun	One, some, everybody etc
4	Distributive pronoun	Either, neither, each etc
5	Reflexive Pronoun	Himself, Itself etc
6	Interrogative Pronoun	Who, which, whom
7	Emphatic Pronoun	I, Myself, She, Herself
8	Exclamatory Pronoun	What!, How! Etc
9	Relative Pronoun	Who, which, etc
10	Reciprocal Pronoun	One another…..each other

Rules relating to Personal Pronoun

Rule 1.

A pronoun should clearly refer the noun it stands for. When it is not obvious to which antecedent a pronoun refers, the sentence should be corrected. This can be done either by repeating the noun, or by rewriting the sentence to make the meaning clear.
Eg:

My friend was there with her aunt. She was wearing a red sari. (Incorrect)
My friend was there with her aunt. My friend was wearing a red sari. (Correct)

My friend, wearing a red sari, was there with her aunt.

Rule 2.

The possessive adjectives must agree with their antecedents.
Eg:

The boy obeys his father.
The girl likes her mother.

Rule 3.

When a gerund is preceded by a personal pronoun, the pronoun must be in the form of a possessive adjective.
Eg:

The girl said that her writing had improved.
The boy entertained the guests with his singing.

Rule 4.

The possessive form of a personal pronoun which is called as possessive pronoun, can be used in the place of a noun.
Eg:

He did not bring his briefcase, but I brought mine.
Because I forgot my pen, she lend me hers.

Rule 5.

When a pronoun follows “Let” we use the objective form of Pronoun. Subjective form should not be used after “Let”.
Eg:

Let you and I decide the matter once for all (Incorrect)
Let you and me the matter once for all (Correct)

Rule 6.

If pronouns of different persons are used with the same verb in a sentence, they should be placed in the following sequence

If all the pronouns are in the singular form then the good manners demand that second person pronoun should come first and then the third person. The first person should take the last position. i.e., 2+3+1. Eg:

You, he and I are partners.
He and I are good friends.

If pronouns are in Plural forms then the sequence should be 1+2+3, it means the first person plural pronoun is followed by second and third person plural pronouns. Eg:

We and you cannot live together.
We, you and they can purchase that shop.

Sometimes the sentence have some apologetic sense/some negative sense or some sense of errors committed etc. In such sentence the good manners demand; to accept the guilt first by the speaker that means by the first person. Sequence should be 1+2+3. Eg:

I and you are responsible for the loss.
You and he spoiled the party.

Rule 7.

If a pronoun refers to more than one noun or pronoun of different persons it must be of the first person plural in the case, nouns or pronouns are first and second person and if nouns or pronouns referred by the pronoun are second and third person it must be second person plural. In case of nouns or pronouns of first and third person, pronoun must be first person Plural. 2+1------1 (Plural)
2+3------2 (Plural)
3+1------1(Plural)
Eg:

You and I have done our job.
You and he have completed your job.

Rule 8.

If a collective noun is used as a unit denoting a unitary action as a whole, the pronoun used is Singular and in neutral gender.
Eg:

The crew revolted and murdered its captain.
After three days, the jury gave its verdict.

If the collective noun denotes separation or division, the pronoun used is Plural.
Eg:

The jury were divided in their opinions.

Rule 9.

When two or more nouns are joined by ‘and’ the pronoun used would be Plural.
Eg:

Ram and Mohan went to their school.

Note: If both the nouns joined by ‘and’ denotes the same person, the pronoun used would be Singular.
Eg:

The collector and magistrate is vigilant in his duty. (Here collector and magistrate are positions held by same person)
My brother and manager of the company is qualified. (Here Manager of the company is my brother)

Rule 10.

When two Singular nouns are joined by and preceded by each or every, the Pronoun used would be Singular.
Eg:

Every teacher and every boy was in his room.

Rule 11.

Singular Pronoun and Singular verb is used with; Each, Either, and Neither.
Eg:

Each of the students is ready to do his duty.
Neither of them gets his turn.

Rule 12.

Singular pronoun is used when two or more singular nouns are joined by ‘or’, ’Either….or’, or ‘neither…..nor’.
Eg:

Either Ram or Manu lost his purse.

Note: If one noun is Plural, then the Pronoun should be Plural and Plural noun should be placed near the verb.
Eg:

Either the Principal or the teachers failed in their duty.