The Correct Use of Pronouns

According to a Stanford University Study, using the wrong words is common in English writing, particularly in ESL learners.

So, be careful with your choice of words. Let’s take a look at the use of pronouns.

Possessive pronouns are: mine, yours, ours, his, hers.

This book is mine. = This is my book.

This pen is yours. = This is your pen.

This chair is ours. = This is our chair.

This car is his. = This is his car.

This hat is hers. = This is her hat.

This is its origin. = This is the origin of it.

APOSTROPHES are added to nouns to show possession.

e.g. The manager’s assistant (singular); the managers’ assistant (plural).

APOSTROPHES are added to pronouns to show contraction.

e.g. It’s = it is; they’re = they are; we’re = we are; he’s = he is; she’s = she is.

Notice the difference between subject pronoun and object pronoun.

e.g. He and I took part in the competition. (not me)

e.g. It was I who won the medal. (not me)

e.g. Please discuss this between him and me. (not between he and I)

e.g. You will have to ride with him and me. (not with he and I)

Stephen Lau

Copyright© by Stephen Lau