Pronouns 4.1 Personal pronouns

4.1 A Subject and object pronouns [> LEG 4.1-6]

1 We use pronouns in place of nouns. They may be subject (she) or object (her).

2 We call I, you, etc. personal pronouns because they refer to 'grammatical persons': 1st person: I, we 2nd person: you 3rd person: he, she, it, one, they

3 In English, we must express the subject of a sentence, so we use a pronoun or a noun: John (or He) is here. Tim and Pam (or They) have arrived. (Not ‘is here’ ‘have arrived’ etc.)

4 We do not have singular and plural forms of you. We can say ‘ You're right’ to someone we don’t know at all or to someone we know very well, to a child or to an adult.

5 We use it to say who someone is: Who's that? - It's our new neighbour, Mr Groves. We use he/she/they to give information about someone: Who's Mr Groves?- He's our new neighbour.

6 We also use it when we don't know the sex of a baby or child: Is it a boy or a girl?

Write: Supply pronouns and underline the words they replace. 1 Your parcel has arrived. It was delivered this morning. 2 Jane and I have already eaten.... had a meal before we left home. 3 Who's that? -... 's my mother. Would you like to meet her? 4 Who's Jane Wilson? -... 's the woman who's just started working for our company 5 So you've had a baby! Is... a boy or a girl? 6 Whose cat is that?... 's always in our garden. 7 When John comes in, please tell... I phoned. 8 If you see Catherine, please give... my regards.

 

4.1 B Subject or object pronoun? [> LEG 4.7,6.27.1]

1 We often use object pronouns after be: Who is it? - It's me/him/her/ us/them.

2 We do not use I, she, etc. on their own in answer to questions with Who? In everyday speech we use object pronouns: Who told him? - Me/Not me. Or we say: I did/I didn't.

3 We use object pronouns after as and than: He's taller than me/as tall as me.

or we use subject + verb: He's taller than I am/as tall as I am. [>1.10D]

Write: Supply suitable pronouns in the following. Alternatives are possible:

1 Who's that? - It's... 2 Who wants to know what we're having for dinner tonight? -... 3 Who wants to help me in the garden?-Not...! 4 You can invite him to your place. -...! You must be joking! 5 It was... who told you, not my brother. 6 She's taller than... but not as strong as... am. 7 He's more intelligent than... am, but not as good at sports as...

 

4.1 C Gender in relation to animals, things and countries [> LEG 48]

1 We use it to refer to animals, as if they were things [> 1.6,2.7A]. We only use he, she and who when there is a reason for doing so, for example, when we refer to a pet: Rover's a good dog. He's my best friend. Bessie's a fine cow. She gives a lot of milk. Or in folk stories: 'it's late,' the hare said as he looked at his watch.

2 We use he or she to refer to 'lower animals' when, for example, we regard their activities with interest: Look at that frog! Look at the way he jumps!

3 We sometimes refer to ships, cars, motorbikes and other machines as she, when the reference is 'affectionate': My old car's not fast, but she does 50 miles to the gallon.

4 Some writers refer to a country as she when they're thinking of it 'as a person': In 1941, America assumed her role as a world power.

 

Write: Supply suitable pronouns in the following. Alternatives are possible.

1 - What do you call your dog? - She is called Flossie. 2 There's a dog in our neighbourhood that barks all night.... 's getting on my nerves. 3 They're launching a new ship in Portsmouth and I've been invited to see... launched. 4 The Titanic may be at the bottom of the sea, but... 's never forgotten. 5 I run a car in London, but I really don't need... 6 This old car of mine may be falling to pieces, but... 's all I've got. 7 Did you see that frog?... jumped right in front of us! 8 - I saw a frog in our garden. - Where did you see...? 9 You can't see America in a week, you know... 's a big country! 10 In the 19th century America welcomed the European poor... opened her arms to them. 11...’s a cunning fox,’ the monkey said to the hen. 'Be careful!' 12 They've just found an old wreck off the coast of Florida.... 's probably Spanish.

 

4.1 D Write: Put in the missing pronouns (including who).

TOO MUCH TO BEAR! If you're on holiday in the Western Islands of Scotland and you see a bear, avoid2...! It might turn out to be Hercules, the famous star3... has appeared in TV ads, films and cabaret ['kæbəreɪ]. Hercules disappeared when his owner, Andy Robbins, took4... for a swim. Police and troops have joined in the search, but5... haven't had any success. After all, Hercules is unlikely to appear suddenly, shouting, 'It's6...! Here7... am!' The search party are carrying yoghurt and bananas to offer the bear because that's what8... likes best. '9... isn't dangerous, but 10... 's very hungry, a searcher said. So if you see a ten-foot bear in the Western Islands, make sure11... are carrying some bananas.12... may be just what a hungry bear is waiting for and if13... don't find 14... you can always eat15... yourself!

 

4.2 'One' 4.2A 'One' and 'you' [> LEG 4.9]

1 We use one, as a pronoun meaning 'everyone/anyone', to refer to 'people in general' only when we want to be formal. In everyday speech, we use you in an informal way to mean 'everyone / anyone’.

2 Compare: A: Is it easy to go camping in this country? B: Yes, but one isn't allowed to camp where one likes. One can only use camp-sites. or: Yes, but you aren't allowed to camp where you like. You can only use camp-sites. Don't use one, one's (= your) and oneself (= yourself) unless you want to sound formal.

Write: Rewrite this paragraph so that it sounds 'informal’. Use you.

The moment one gets into the mountains, one is on one's own. One has to rely on oneself for everything. This means one has to carry all one's own food, though, of course, one can get pure drinking water from mountain streams. One won't see any local people for days at a time, so one can't get help if one's lost. One has to do one's best to find sheltered places to spend the night.

 

4.2B 'One' and 'ones' in place of countable nouns: 'Use this clean one’ [> LEG 4.10]

1 We can't use an adjective on its own in place of a singular countable noun. We must use a noun after an adjective or we must use one to avoid repeating the noun [>6.3A]: Don't use that cloth. Use this clean one. (Not 'Use this clean.')

2 We use ones to avoid repeating a plural countable noun: I don't want to wear my old shoes. I want to wear my new ones. (Not “wear my new")

3 We can use one and ones for people as well as things: Do you know John Smith/Jane Smith? -Is he/she the one who phoned last night? Do you know the Smiths? - Are they the ones who used to live in this house?

4 We do not use one in place of an uncountable noun. We repeat the noun or use no noun at all: Don't use that milk. Use this fresh milk. Or: Use this fresh. (Not "this fresh one")

Write: Supply one or ones where necessary.

1 Have you met our new secretary? - Is she the one who joined us last week? 2 You know the man I mean, the... who lent you £50. 3 Which actresses did you meet? - The... who appeared in Act 1. 4 Here are your stamps. These are the... you paid for. 5 Which computer did you use? - The... that is in your office. 6 The children I like to teach are the... who like to learn. 7 Pour away that dirty water and get some clean... 8 If I were you, I'd sell that old car and buy a new...

 

4.2C 'Which one(s)?' - This/that (one)', etc. [> LEG 4.10]

1 We use one / ones to refer to people and things after Which?, this/that and adjectives: Which one would you like? This one or that one? - I'd like the large one/the red one. We can also say: Which would you like? This or that?

2 We sometimes omit one and ones after superlatives and in short answers: Which one/ones would you like? - I'd like the best (one/ones). Which one/ones would you like? - The large/the red.

3 We usually avoid ones after these/those: I want these. I want those. (Not 'these ones")

4 We normally use one / ones after this/that/these /those + adjective: I want this/that white one, I want these/those white ones.

5 We cannot omit one / ones in structures like: Which woman? - The one in the green dress.

 

Write: a) Supply one or ones. B) Put a tick beside the sentences where one/ones could be omitted.

1 Which gloves would you like to see? the ones in the window. 2 Which shoes fit you best? - The large... 3 Which pullover do you prefer? -The red... 4 Which jeans are you going to buy? - The most expensive... 5 Please pass me that plate. - Which...? 6 Two of those coats suit you very well. - Which...? 7 I'd like to test-drive one of these two cars. -This … or that …? 8 I'd like to see some rings, please. - These... in silver or those... in gold? 9 I'd like to try one of these shirts. Please pass me that white... 10 I think, on the whole, I prefer these yellow...

4.2D Write: Put in you, one or ones where necessary. HELP!

You can always tell the people who know all about cars. They're the2... who can recognize all the latest models and who bore3... silly with useless information. The4... who don't know about cars are a bit like my friend, Robin. Robin is5... of those people who believes that all car engines are in the front of a vehicle. He recently hired a car without even realizing that it was6... of those with its engine at the back. Last week he was driving along a country road when he heard a strange noise coming from the car and he stopped to have a look. He raised the bonnet to examine his engine and you can imagine his surprise when he saw that he didn't have 7... He waved to a passing car and a young man stopped. Robin explained that he had lost his engine. 'I don't suppose8... can help me,' he said. 'Of course I can help9... ' the young man said. I’ ve got a spare 10... in the back of my car. You can use that11... '

 

4.3 'It' and 'one/some/any/ none'

4.3A 'It' as in 'It's hot’ and It's nice to see you' [> LEG 4.12-13]

1 'empty subject': 'It's hot' [> 1.2A, 4.1A] It carries no information in sentences like It's hot, It's 8 o'clock, etc. so we call it an 'empty subject'. We use it because a sentence must have a subject. (Not *is hot*)

2 'preparatory subject':'It's nice to see you'[> 1.5B, 16.4A, 16.7A] We sometimes begin a sentence with it and continue with to -, - ing or that. The true subject is to-, -ing,or that, but we generally prefer to begin with it. To lie in the sun/Lying in the sun is pleasant. >It's pleasant to lie/lying in the sun. That he's arriving today is certain. >It's certain (that) he's arriving today.

 

Write: Here are some notes. Write them as sentences beginning with it.

1 Monday, 13th June today. It’s Monday… It's Monday, 13th June, today 2 Snowing now. Snows a lot here... 3 22° Celsius in London yesterday.... 4 100 kilometres from here to Paris... 5 Important to get to the meeting... 6 Difficult making such decisions... 7 A pleasure to welcome you all here… 8 A pity that they couldn't come...

 

4.3B 'It' and 'one' as subjects and objects: 'I like it' [> LEG 4.16]

1 We use it and they if we are referring to 'something particular': Has the letter arrived this morning? - Yes, it has just arrived. Have the letters arrived this morning? - Yes, they have just arrived.

2 We use one, some and none when we mean 'in general': Has a letter arrived? - Yes, one has just arrived. Have any letters arrived? - Yes, some have arrived. No, none have/has arrived. [> 5.7C]

3 We must use an object after verbs like enjoy and like [> 1.26]: particular: Do you like this cake?- Yes, I like it. (Not * I like/I don't like') general: Would you like some cake?- Yes, I'd like some./No, I don't want any. (Not *I'd like/I wouldn't like*)

Write: Supply it, them, one, some, any or none in the following.

1 Were any cars parked outside our house today? – Yes one was parked there all morning 2 Was that car parked outside our house today? – Yes... was parked there all morning 3 Did any letters come for me this morning? - No,... came for you. 4 Have the spare parts arrived yet? - Yes,... of them have just arrived. 5 Do you like this dish? - Yes, I like... very much. 6 Did you enjoy the strawberries? - Yes, I enjoyed... very much. 7 Would you like some strawberries? - No, I don't want..., thank you. 8 Would you like any cherries? - Yes, I'd like... please. 9 Have you got the maps with you? - No, I haven't got... 10 Have you got a spare light bulb? - No, I haven't got...

4.3C I hope/believe/expect so' [> LEG 4.1?]

1 We use so (not ‘it’ after these verbs when we are responding in the affirmative: believe, expect, fear, guess, hope, imagine, say, suppose, tell someone and think: Is what you told me true? – I believe so. (Not 'I believe" 'I believe it’)

2 We use so in the affirmative after I'm afraid and It seems: The weather’s changing for the worse. - I'm afraid so. It seems so.

3 We can make a negative in two ways after these verbs: believe, expect, imagine, suppose, think and it seems: Is that true? - I don't think so. Or: I think not.

Write: Write questions or statements followed by responses using believe, etc.

1 Someone asks you if the next train goes to London. You believe it does. Does the next train go to London? - I believe so 2 Someone says the weather is going to improve. You hope it will. 3 Someone asks you if the letters have arrived yet. You don't think they have. 4 Someone says the rail strike hasn't ended. It doesn't seem to have ended. 5 Someone says it's a holiday tomorrow. You want to know who says this. 6 Someone says there's been a terrible air disaster. You fear this is the case. 7 Someone asks if the democrats will win the election. You don't expect they will.

 

4.3D. Write: Put in one, any, it, they, them, or so. SPELLING CAN BE A PAIN!

1 It was late in the afternoon when Mr Fox asked his ten-year-olds if2... would like to do a spelling test. MR FOX: 3...'s quite an easy4.... I'll say the words and you'll spell5.... Write6... in your exercise books. If there are7... words you can't spell, I'll write8... on the blackboard. Do you like spelling, Liz? LIZ: I love9... MR FOX: What about you, Annie? ANNIE: I think 10..., but I'm not sure. Annie was quite late getting home from school that afternoon. Annie's granddad was worried. GRANDDAD: Why are you late, Annie? ANNIE: 11...'s because of rheumatism ['ruːmətɪz(ə)m]. GRANDDAD: Only older people have rheumatism, Annie. ANNIE: No, I haven't got 12..., granddad. I just can't spell 13 …

 

4.4 Possessive adjectives and possessive pronouns ('my/mine)

4.4A Basic differences between 'my' and 'mine', etc. [> LEG 4.19-21]

1 My, your, his, her, its, one's, our, your and their are possessive adjectives or relative possessive pronouns. This means they must go in front of nouns: He's my son. it's your house, etc.

2 They refer to the possessor, not to the thing possessed: John amused his daughter. (= his own) John amused her daughter. (= someone else's) Jane amused her son. (= her own) Jane amused his son, (= someone else's). Its refers to possession by an animal or thing: The cat drank its milk. [> 2.7A]

3 Mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, yours, and theirs are (absolute) possessive pronouns. This means they stand on their own: That book is mine.

(Not "That is mine book. *) We cannot use possessives with the. (Not ‘That's the my car”/That car's the mine.’)

Write: Supply the missing possessive adjectives and possessive pronouns.

1 What a beautiful baby girl! What's her name? 2 This is your towel: it's yellow. And that's your husband's.... is blue. 3 This car isn't.... My car has a different registration number. 4 'Shall we have... supper on a tray and watch TV?' my wife asked. 5 That umbrella doesn't belong to you.... is the one with the leather handle. 6 Their flat and our flat may seem to be the same, but... is different from ours. 7 One should put... own interests last. 8 John's son wants to be an actor and... daughter wants to be an actress. 9 Patricia's eldest daughter has just left school and... youngest has just begun. 10 Has the cat been given... milk yet?

4.4B The double genitive: 'He is a friend of mine' [> LEG 2.52]

1 We can say: He is your friend. or: He is a friend of yours. (No apostrophe: Not ‘He is a friend of your's.’) And note: He is a friend of mine. (Not ‘He is a friend of me.’)

2 We can say: He is my father's friend. [> 2.8A] We still use 's after of if we say: He is a friend of my father's. (Not ‘of my father’)

3 We often use this and that with this construction, especially when we are criticizing: That boy of yours is in trouble again. That motorbike of yours is very noisy.

Write: Rewrite these sentences using phrases with of, making any necessary changes.

1 Your brother’s always in trouble. That brother of yours is always in trouble. 2 He's not my friend. He's no... 3 We watched a play by Shakespeare. We watched... 4 Now tell me about your problem. Now tell me about... 5 We've known him for years. He's our friend. He's... 6 Her loud music drives me crazy! That... 7 My sister's friend phoned from New York. A... 8 Their neighbours have been complaining again. Those… 9 Your radio keeps us all awake! That...

4.4C 'My own' and 'of my own' [> LEG 4.22] We can use own after possessive adjectives, not pronouns, in two ways: I have my own room. Or: I have a room of my own, (Not 'mine own room/of mine own")

Write: Complete these sentences in two ways. 1 I'd love to have a room. my own room/a room of my own 2 Frank has started a business. 3 The children have rooms. 4 Our dog has a kennel....

 

4.4D The' in place of 'my', etc.: 'a pain in the neck' [> LEG 4.23]

We sometimes use the where we might expect my, your, etc., e.g. with parts of the body or with clothing after prepositions: He hit me in the face. She pulled me by the sleeve. We use the to refer informally to members of the family: How are the children? But avoid expressions like 'Meet the wife'.

Write: Supply my or the.

1 He hit me in the eye. 2 Something has got into... eye. 3 You don't have to pull me by... collar. 4 It's nice to see you. How's... family? 5 What's wrong? - I've hurt... arm. 6... collar is too tight. I can't bear it. 7... hair is getting too long. I must get it cut. 8 She looked me in... face and said, 'No'. 9 What's worse than a pain in... back? 10 The house is quiet with... children away.