Types of Words

Sometimes, when we don't want to name a noun outright, we will use a pronoun instead. Pronouns usually stand in the place of a noun that (a) has been used recently or (b) is understood from the context.

(a) Matt is really enjoying this module. He loves grammar already.

(b) Do you?

In example (a), the pronoun he is being used instead of the noun "Matt." Grammarians call that earlier noun, "Matt" — the thing that the pronoun refers to — the antecedent. However, in example (b), the pronoun has no antecedent because it is understand from the context who you refers to (i.e. you, the reader, or you, the person I am speaking to).

Pronouns must reflect the gender and number of the antecedent. In other words, pronouns show whether the antecedent is male (he), female (she), or neuter (it); they also show whether the antecedent is singular (I) or plural (we).

Pronouns can also lend variety to our language. They save us from having to repeat a noun over and over again.

e.g. If Vicky had paid attention to the discussion of pronouns, Vicky would not have to be repeating the name "Vicky" because Vicky would know that Vicky could use a pronoun instead.

However, pronouns tend to be less specific than nouns, so you need to be careful when using them. Try to avoid situations where the antecedent is unclear. In the example below, for instance, it's not certain who the pronoun he refers to.

e.g. Plato and Aristotle disagree about the value of art. He believes that art is inherently flawed, an imitation of an already imperfect world.

Is it Plato or Aristotle who believes that art is inherently flawed? It's hard for the reader to tell. Here, it would be better just to repeat the noun in question.

In addition to acting like placeholders for nouns, there are some situations in which we can use pronouns to make nouns more specific (e.g. this module, my sandwich). In these situations, though, the pronouns are acting more like adjectives than nouns.

What's an adjective, you ask?