Parts of Speech • Courseware
PRONOUN
Courseware for Learners Aged 11 Years and Above
Learn how pronouns replace nouns, show relationships, ask questions, connect ideas, and make sentences clear.
Pronoun = பதிலிப்பெயர்
ஒரு பெயர்ச்சொல்லை மீண்டும் மீண்டும் பயன்படுத்தாமல், அதற்குப் பதிலாகப் பயன்படுத்தப்படும் சொல் Pronoun (பதிலிப்பெயர்).
ஒரு பெயர்ச்சொல்லை மீண்டும் மீண்டும் பயன்படுத்தாமல், அதற்குப் பதிலாகப் பயன்படுத்தப்படும் சொல் Pronoun (பதிலிப்பெயர்).
What Will You Learn?
Identify
Find pronouns in sentences and distinguish them from nouns.
Classify
Recognise personal, possessive, reflexive, demonstrative, interrogative, relative, indefinite, distributive and reciprocal pronouns.
Use Correctly
Choose the correct subject, object and possessive forms.
Avoid Errors
Apply pronoun agreement and correct common examination mistakes.
கற்றல் இலக்கு: Pronoun-ஐ அடையாளம் கண்டு, அதன் வகையைத் தேர்வு செய்து, வாக்கியத்தில் சரியாகப் பயன்படுத்தக் கற்றுக்கொள்வீர்கள்.
Course Roadmap
Introduction to Pronouns
A pronoun is a word used instead of a noun. We use pronouns to avoid repeating the same noun again and again.
தமிழில்: பெயர்ச்சொல்லுக்குப் பதிலாகப் பயன்படுத்தப்படும் சொல் பதிலிப்பெயர்.
Without a pronoun:
Riya went to the library. Riya borrowed a book. Riya returned home.
Riya went to the library. Riya borrowed a book. Riya returned home.
With pronouns:
Riya went to the library. She borrowed a book. She returned home.
Riya went to the library. She borrowed a book. She returned home.
More Examples
Arun is a good student. He studies well.
Meena is absent because she is ill.
The boys are playing. They are happy.
I bought a book. It is interesting.
Common Pronouns
I, me, we, us, you, he, him, she, her, it, they, them
சொல் உதவி:
Pronoun = பதிலிப்பெயர் | Noun = பெயர்ச்சொல் | Replace = பதிலாகப் பயன்படுத்துதல் | Refer to = குறிப்பிடுதல்
Pronoun = பதிலிப்பெயர் | Noun = பெயர்ச்சொல் | Replace = பதிலாகப் பயன்படுத்துதல் | Refer to = குறிப்பிடுதல்
Learning Tip: Noun = the name. Pronoun = a word used instead of the name.
Personal Pronouns
Personal pronouns refer to particular people, animals or things.
தமிழில்: குறிப்பிட்ட நபர், விலங்கு அல்லது பொருளைக் குறிக்கும் பதிலிப்பெயர்கள் Personal Pronouns எனப்படும்.
| Person | Singular | Plural | Tamil Help |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Person | I | we | தன்மை |
| Second Person | you | you | முன்னிலை |
| Third Person | he, she, it | they | படர்க்கை |
Indian Examples
I am Kavya. We are students.
You are my friend.
Arjun is my brother. He is twelve years old.
Priya is my friend. She is helpful.
The dog is hungry. It needs food.
Ravi and Karthik are friends. They play cricket.
Remember: The person who is speaking uses first person; the person spoken to is second person; the person or thing spoken about is third person.
Subject and Object Pronouns
A subject pronoun usually performs the action. An object pronoun receives the action or follows a preposition.
தமிழில்: Subject = செய்பவர். Object = செயலின் தாக்கத்தைப் பெறுபவர்.
| Subject | Object | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I | me | I read books. Ravi called me. |
| we | us | We played. She invited us. |
| you | you | You helped me. I thanked you. |
| he | him | He ran fast. I helped him. |
| she | her | She sings well. I praised her. |
| it | it | It works. I fixed it. |
| they | them | They play football. The teacher praised them. |
She helped him.
She = subject pronoun (the doer)
him = object pronoun (the receiver)
She = subject pronoun (the doer)
him = object pronoun (the receiver)
Common Error:
Him went to school. ❌
He went to school. ✅
Him went to school. ❌
He went to school. ✅
Possessive Pronouns
Possessive pronouns show ownership or possession.
Possessive = உரிமையைக் காட்டுவது. உதாரணம்: mine = என்னுடையது; yours = உன்னுடையது.
| Possessive Determiner | Possessive Pronoun | Example |
|---|---|---|
| my | mine | This is my book. The book is mine. |
| our | ours | Our classroom is large. The classroom is ours. |
| your | yours | Your pen is blue. The pen is yours. |
| his | his | His bicycle is new. The bicycle is his. |
| her | hers | Her bag is red. The bag is hers. |
| their | theirs | Their house is big. The house is theirs. |
Easy Pattern:
my book → the book is mine
your pen → the pen is yours
her bag → the bag is hers
our school → the school is ours
their house → the house is theirs
my book → the book is mine
your pen → the pen is yours
her bag → the bag is hers
our school → the school is ours
their house → the house is theirs
This book is her. ❌ → This book is hers. ✅
This is mine book. ❌ → This is my book. ✅
This is mine book. ❌ → This is my book. ✅
Reflexive and Emphatic Pronouns
Reflexive pronouns are used when the doer and receiver of the action are the same person or thing.
தமிழில்: செய்பவரும் செயலின் பெறுபவரும் ஒருவரே என்றால் Reflexive Pronoun பயன்படுத்தப்படுகிறது.
| Person | Reflexive Form |
|---|---|
| I | myself |
| we | ourselves |
| you | yourself / yourselves |
| he | himself |
| she | herself |
| it | itself |
| they | themselves |
Arun hurt himself.
Priya introduced herself.
We enjoyed ourselves.
The children dressed themselves.
Emphatic Use
The same forms can add emphasis.
The principal himself spoke to the students.
I myself completed the project.
கவனம்: இங்கு myself / himself செயலைத் திரும்பக் குறிக்காமல், “நானே / அவரே” என்ற வலியுறுத்தலைக் காட்டுகிறது.
Demonstrative Pronouns
Demonstrative pronouns point out people, animals or things.
Demonstrative Pronoun = சுட்டுப்பெயர்
this = இது | that = அது | these = இவை | those = அவை
this = இது | that = அது | these = இவை | those = அவை
| Pronoun | Number | Distance | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| this | one | near | This is my book. |
| that | one | far | That is our school. |
| these | more than one | near | These are my shoes. |
| those | more than one | far | Those are beautiful flowers. |
Memory Trick: This / These = near. That / Those = far.
Interrogative Pronouns
Interrogative pronouns are used to ask questions.
Interrogative Pronoun = வினாப்பெயர். கேள்வி கேட்கப் பயன்படும் பதிலிப்பெயர்.
| Pronoun | Used to ask about | Example |
|---|---|---|
| who | a person | Who is at the door? |
| whom | a person as object | Whom did you meet? |
| whose | ownership | Whose bag is this? |
| which | choice | Which is your book? |
| what | thing / information | What do you want? |
Exam Note: In traditional school grammar, who is generally used as the subject and whom as the object. Modern English often uses who in object position too, but school examinations may expect the traditional distinction.
Who called Ravi? → Who is the subject.
Whom did Ravi call? → Whom is the object in traditional grammar.
Relative Pronouns
Relative pronouns connect a noun with additional information in a clause.
Relative Pronoun = தொடர்புப்பெயர். பெயர்ச்சொல்லுடன் கூடுதல் தகவலை இணைக்கிறது.
| Pronoun | Typical Reference | Example |
|---|---|---|
| who | people | The boy who won the race is my friend. |
| whom | people as object | The girl whom I met was kind. |
| whose | possession | The student whose notebook was missing found it. |
| which | things / animals | The car which Ravi bought is new. |
| that | people / things in many defining clauses | This is the book that I bought. |
This is the girl who won the prize.
“girl” is the noun; “who” connects the noun with the extra information “won the prize”.
“girl” is the noun; “who” connects the noun with the extra information “won the prize”.
Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns refer to people or things without naming a specific person or thing.
தமிழில்: குறிப்பிட்ட நபர் அல்லது பொருளைக் குறிக்காத பதிலிப்பெயர்கள் Indefinite Pronouns எனப்படும்.
| People | Things | Example |
|---|---|---|
| someone, somebody | something | Someone is knocking. |
| anyone, anybody | anything | Is anyone ready? |
| everyone, everybody | — | Everyone enjoyed the programme. |
| nobody, no one | nothing | Nobody knew the answer. |
Someone is waiting outside.
Everyone enjoyed the programme.
Nobody knew the answer.
I need something to eat.
சொல் உதவி: Someone = யாரோ ஒருவர் | Everyone = அனைவரும் | Nobody = யாரும் இல்லை
Distributive Pronouns
Each, either and neither are commonly taught as distributive pronouns.
Distributive Pronoun = ஒவ்வொன்றாகப் பிரித்துக் குறிப்பிடும் பதிலிப்பெயர்.
| Pronoun | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| each | one by one | Each of the students received a certificate. |
| either | one of two | Either of the two roads will take you to the village. |
| neither | not one nor the other | Neither of the answers is correct. |
Quick Memory: Each = one by one. Either = one of two. Neither = not one and not the other.
Reciprocal Pronouns
Each other and one another show that people or groups do the same action towards one another.
Reciprocal Pronoun = ஒருவருக்கொருவர் / ஒருவர் மற்றொருவரை.
Ravi and Arjun helped each other.
The students greeted one another.
The two sisters trust each other.
Meaning: The action goes in both directions between the people involved.
Pronoun Agreement, Common Errors & Practice
A pronoun should agree with the noun it refers to, especially in number and person, and where relevant in gender.
Pronoun Agreement = பதிலிப்பெயர் குறிக்கும் பெயர்ச்சொல்லுடன் சரியான பொருத்தம். எண்ணிக்கை (singular/plural) மற்றும் பொருத்தத்தை கவனிக்க வேண்டும்.
Pronoun Agreement
Ravi forgot his notebook. ✅
Priya completed her homework. ✅
The boys brought their books. ✅
Ravi forgot their notebook. ❌
Better for traditional school grammar: Ravi forgot his notebook. ✅
Better for traditional school grammar: Ravi forgot his notebook. ✅
Rule 1: Avoid Repetition
Meena went to the shop because Meena needed a pen. ❌
Meena went to the shop because she needed a pen. ✅
Meena went to the shop because she needed a pen. ✅
Rule 2: Use Subject Pronouns as Subjects
Him went to school. ❌
He went to school. ✅
He went to school. ✅
Rule 3: Use Object Pronouns after Verbs / Prepositions
The teacher called he. ❌
The teacher called him. ✅
The teacher called him. ✅
Rule 4: Use Possessive Forms Correctly
This book is her. ❌ → This book is hers. ✅
This is mine book. ❌ → This is my book. ✅
Rule 5: Use Reflexive Pronouns When the Doer and Receiver Are the Same
Ravi hurt him. → This normally means Ravi hurt another male person.
Ravi hurt himself. → Ravi hurt Ravi.
Ravi hurt himself. → Ravi hurt Ravi.
Modern English Note: Singular they/their is widely used when gender is unknown or not specified. In school examinations, however, follow the pronoun convention taught by your syllabus and teacher.
Quick Reference: Pronoun Types
| Type | Common Forms | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Personal | I, you, he, she, they | She is happy. |
| Object | me, him, her, us, them | I helped him. |
| Possessive | mine, yours, hers, ours, theirs | The bag is hers. |
| Reflexive | myself, yourself, himself | He hurt himself. |
| Demonstrative | this, that, these, those | This is mine. |
| Interrogative | who, whom, whose, which, what | Who came? |
| Relative | who, whom, whose, which, that | The boy who won. |
| Indefinite | someone, anyone, everyone, nobody | Everyone came. |
| Distributive | each, either, neither | Each received a prize. |
| Reciprocal | each other, one another | They helped each other. |
Pronoun vs Noun
| Noun | Pronoun | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Ravi | he | he replaces Ravi |
| Priya | she | she replaces Priya |
| the children | they | they replaces the children |
| the book | it | it replaces the book |
Practice 1: Identify the Pronoun
- She is reading a book. — She = Personal Pronoun
- Ravi called me. — me = Object Personal Pronoun
- These are my notebooks. — These = Demonstrative Pronoun
- Someone left a bag here. — Someone = Indefinite Pronoun
- The boy who won the race is my friend. — who = Relative Pronoun
Practice 2: Transformation
1. Arun is a student. Arun studies English.
Arun is a student. He studies English.
Arun is a student. He studies English.
2. Meena bought a bag. Meena likes the bag.
Meena bought a bag. She likes it.
Meena bought a bag. She likes it.
3. Ravi and Karthik play cricket. Ravi and Karthik practise every evening.
Ravi and Karthik play cricket. They practise every evening.
Ravi and Karthik play cricket. They practise every evening.
Practice 3: Multiple-Choice Questions
-
Choose the pronoun: “___ is my friend.”
a) Ravi b) He c) School d) Book
Answer: b) He -
Choose the correct sentence:
a) Him is my friend. b) He is my friend.
Answer: b) He is my friend. -
Choose the correct pronoun: “Priya is absent because ___ is ill.”
a) him b) they c) she d) her
Answer: c) she -
Which is a reflexive pronoun?
a) her b) himself c) them d) ours
Answer: b) himself -
Which is a demonstrative pronoun?
a) everyone b) who c) These d) myself
Answer: c) These -
Which is a possessive pronoun?
a) her b) hers c) she d) herself
Answer: b) hers
Grammar Detective Challenge
Find the incorrect pronoun and correct it.
1. Her went to the market.
She went to the market.
She went to the market.
2. The teacher praised Ravi and I.
The teacher praised Ravi and me.
The teacher praised Ravi and me.
3. This is mine book.
This is my book.
This is my book.
4. Ravi hurt him. (meaning Ravi hurt Ravi)
Ravi hurt himself.
Ravi hurt himself.
5. Meena went home because Meena was tired.
Meena went home because she was tired.
Meena went home because she was tired.
Final Mastery Check
Before moving to the next Part of Speech, make sure you can:
- Define a pronoun.
- Explain why pronouns are used.
- Identify pronouns in sentences.
- Distinguish a noun from a pronoun.
- Recognise personal pronouns.
- Distinguish subject and object pronouns.
- Use possessive pronouns correctly.
- Use reflexive and emphatic pronouns correctly.
- Identify demonstrative pronouns.
- Use interrogative pronouns in questions.
- Recognise relative pronouns and their connecting role.
- Recognise indefinite, distributive and reciprocal pronouns.
- Apply pronoun agreement.
- Correct common pronoun errors.
- Answer pronoun MCQs and examination questions confidently.
சுய மதிப்பீடு: “நான் Pronoun-ஐ அடையாளம் கண்டு, அதன் வகையைச் சொல்லி, சரியான வடிவத்தை வாக்கியத்தில் பயன்படுத்த முடியும்” என்றால் நீங்கள் இந்தப் பாடத்தை நன்றாகக் கற்றுள்ளீர்கள்.