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123. When a Pronoun (It will be noted that we use the word 'Pronoun' in § 123-128
without observing the distinction pointed out in § 119 between the forms, my, they, her,
our, your, their (which are called Possessive Adjectives) and the forms mine, thine, hers,
ours, yours, theirs (which are called Possessive Pronouns)) stands for a Collective Noun,
it must be in the Singular Number (and Neuter Gender) if the Collective Noun is viewed
as a whole; as,
The army had to suffer terrible privations in its march.
The fleet will reach its destination in a week.
The crew mutinied and murdered its officers.
After a few minutes the jury gave its verdict.
If the Collective Noun conveys the idea of separate individuals comprising the whole, the
Pronoun standing for it must be of the Plural Number; as,
The jury were divided in their opinions.
The committee decided the matter without leaving their seats.
124. When two or more Singular Nouns are joined by and, the Pronoun used for them
must be Plural; as,
Rama and Had work hard. They are praised by their teacher.
Both Sita and Savitri are tired; they have gone home.
But when two Singular Nouns joined by and refer to the same person or thing, the
Pronoun used must of course be Singular; as,
The Secretary and Treasurer is negligent of his duty.
125. When two Singular Nouns joined by and are preceded by each or every, the Pronoun
must be Singular; as,
Every soldier and every sailor was in his place.
126. When two or more Singular Nouns are joined by or or either...or, neither... nor, the
Pronoun is generally Singular; as,
Rama or Hari must lend his hand.
Either Sita or Amina forgot to take her parasol.
Neither Abdul nor Karim has done his lesson.
127. When a Plural Noun and a Singular Noun are joined by or or nor, the Pronoun must
be in the Plural; as
Either the manager or his assistants failed in their duty.
128. When a pronoun refers to more than one noun or pronoun of different persons, it
must be of the first person plural in preference to the third; as,
You and I have done our duty.
You and Hari have idled away your time.
129. Good manners require that we should say-
'You and I' not 'I and you'.
'You and he' not 'he and you'.
'Hari and I' not 'I and Hari'.
'He and F not T and he'.
You and I must work together.
You and he must mend your ways.
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Hari and I are old school friends.
He and I can never pull on together.
130. Each of the personal pronouns, I, he, she, we, they, has a different form for the
accusative case, namely, me, him, her, us, them. It is a common mistake to use / for me,
when the pronoun is connected by a conjunction (and, or) with some other word in the
accusative case.
Study the following correct sentences :-
The presents are for you and me (Not, I)
My uncle asked my brother and me to dinner..
131. Note that but is a preposition in the following sentence:
Nobody will help you but me. (not: I) Take care to use the accusative form after but in
such cases.
Exercise in Grammar 25
In the following sentences point out the Pronouns and say for what each stands:-
1. Alice was not a bit hurt, and she jumped up on to her feet in a moment.
2. There were doors all round the hall, but they were all locked.
3. Alice opened the door and found that it led into a small passage.
4. “I wish I hadn't cried so much,” said Alice.
5. “You are not attending”, said the Mouse to Alice severely. “What are you thinking
of?”
6. “Come back!” the Caterpillar called after her. Alice turned and came back again.
7. Hari brought his book and laid it on the table.
8. Karim has lost his dog and cannot find it.
9. Suresh is at the head of his class, for he studies hard.
10. Rama, you are a lazy boy.
11. The camel is a beast of burden. It is used to carry goods across the desert.
12. The female lion is called a lioness. She has no mane.
13. The horse fell down and broke its leg.
14. Birds build their nests in trees.
15. If the thief is caught, he will be punished.
16. Train up a child in the way he should go.
17. And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man.
Exercise in Composition 26
In the following sentences use Pronouns in place of nouns wherever you can :-
1. Rama had taken his watch out of his pocket, and was looking at the watch uneasily,
shaking the watch every now and then, and holding the watch to his ear.
2. The boys went into the garden, where the boys saw a snake.
3. Very soon the Rabbit noticed Alice as Alice went hunting about, and called
out to Alice in an angry tone.
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Exercise in Composition 27
Write the correct form of pronoun in the following :-
1. We scored as many goals as ---. (They, them)
2. Rama and --- were present. (I, me)
3. Can you sing as well as ---? (They, them)
4. Let you and --- try what we can do. (I, me)
5. Wait for Hari and ---. (I, me)
6. You know that as well as ---. (I, me)
7. It was --- that gave you the alarm. (I, me)
8. Between you and ---, I do not believe him. (I, me)
9. We are not so poor as --- . (They, them)
10. Rama is as old as ---. (I, me)
11. He is known to my brother and ---. (I, me)
12. He is as good as ---. (I, am)
13. Nobody but --- was present, (He, him)
14. He and --- were great friends. (I, me)
15. Whom can I trust, if not ---? (He, him)
16. Let --- who can answer this question. (He, him)
17. There isn't much difference between you and ---. (He, him)
18. None so blind as --- that will not see. (They, them)
19. It isn't for such as --- to dictate to us. (They, them)
CHAPTER 16
REFLEXIVE AND EMPHATIC PRONOUNS
132. When -self is added to my, your, him, her, it, and -selves to our, your, them, we get
what are called Compound Personal Pronouns.
They are called Reflexive Pronouns when the action done by the subject turns back
(reflects) upon the subject; as,
I hurt myself.
We hurt ourselves.
You will hurt yourself.
You hurt yourselves.
He hurt himself.
She hurt herself.
They hurt themselves.
The horse hurt itself.
It will be noticed that each of these Reflexive Pronouns is used as the Object of a verb,
and refers to the same person or thing as that denoted by the Subject of the verb.
133. Sometimes, in older English, especially in poetry, a simple pronoun was used
reflexively; as;
Now I lay me down to sleep.
134. The word self is sometimes used as a Noun; as,
To thine own self be true.
He cares for nothing but self.
He thinks much for self.
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Emphatic Pronouns
135. Now look at the following sentences:-
I will do it myself.
I myself saw him do it.
We will see to it ourselves.
You yourself can best explain.
He himself said so.
She herself says so.
It was told so by the teacher himself.
We saw the Prime Minister himself.
The town itself is not very large.
They themselves admitted their guilt.
It will be seen that here Compound Personal Pronouns are used for the sake of emphasis,
and are therefore called Emphatic Pronouns.
Exercise in Grammar 28
Tell which Pronouns in the following sentences are Reflexive and which Emphatic:-
[Emphatic Pronouns are also called Emphasizing Pronouns.]
1. I will go myself.
2. Rama has hurt himself.
3. We often deceive ourselves.
4. I myself heard the remark.
5. You express yourself very imperfectly.
6. I wash myself when I get up.
7. The boys hid themselves.
8. They have got themselves into a mess.
9. Boadicea poisoned herself.
10. They loved themselves so much that they thought of no one else.
11. The prisoner hanged himself.
12. The poor widow poisoned herself.
13. They enjoyed themselves.
14. Don't you deceive yourself?
15. I myself heard the remark.
16. He set himself a hard task.
17. We exerted ourselves.
18. The dog choked itself.
19. They gave themselves a lot of trouble.
20. We seldom see ourselves as others see us.
21. A house divided against itself cannot stand.
22. He that wrongs his friend wrongs himself more.
23. Some people are always talking about themselves.
24. Xerxes himself was the last to cross the Hellespont,
25. He has landed himself in difficulties.
26. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
27. Quit yourselves like men.
28. Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased.
29. Sinai itself trembled at the presence of, God.
30. I cannot bring myself to do it.
31. Pray do not inconvenience yourself.
32. I was sitting by myself.
33. And sometimes I do hate myself.
CHAPTER 17
DEMONSTRATIVE, INDEFINITE AND DISTRIBUTIVE
PRONOUNS
136. Consider the following sentences:-
This is a present from my uncle.
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These are merely excuses,
Both cars are good; but this is better than that
Mumbai mangoes are better than those of Bangalore.
Make haste, that's a good boy. [Here that - one who makes haste.]
There is no period in ancient-Indian history so glorious as that of the Guptas. [Do not
write, “as the Guptas”]
My views are quite in accordance with those of the University Commission.
I may have offended, but such was not my intention.
He was the representative of the King, and as such (= the representative of the King)
they honoured him.
The stranger is welcomed as such.
That is the Red Fort.
It will be noticed that the Pronouns in italics are used to point out the objects to which
they refer, and are, therefore, called Demonstrative Pronouns. (Latin demonstrare, to
show clearly).
A work from S. CHAND & COMPANY LTD.
137. This, that, etc. are (Demonstrative) Adjectives when they are used with nouns; as,
This book is mine.
That pen is yours.
These books are mine.
Those pens are yours.
What was that noise?
This horse is better than that horse.,
All such people ought to be avoided.
138. This refers to what is close at hand, and nearest to the thought or person of the
speaker; that refers to what is 'over there', farther] away, and more remote.
This is better than that.
139. That, with its plural those, is used to avoid the repetition of a preceding Noun; as,
The climate of Belgaum is like that of Pune.
The streets of this city are worse than those of Ahmedabad.
Our soldiers were better drilled than those of enemies.
The rivers of America are larger than those of Europe.
140. When two things which have been already mentioned are referred to, this refers to
the thing last mentioned, that to the thing first mentioned; as,
Virtue and vice offer themselves for your choice; this (i.e., vice) leads to misery, that
(i.e., virtue) to happiness,
Alcohol and tobacco are both injurious; this perhaps, less than that.
Indefinite Pronouns
141. Consider the following sentences:
One hardly knows what to do.
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One does not like to say so, but it is only too true.
One cannot be too careful of one's (not, his) good name.
One must not boast of one's own success.
One must use one's best efforts if one wishes to succeed.
One must not praise one's self.
None of his poems are well known.
None but fools have ever believed it.
[None is a shortened form of not one; yet it is commonly used with plural verbs].
They (= people in general) say he has lost heavily.
They say that one of the local banks has stopped payment. [They say = it is said by some
persons.]
All were drowned.
Some are born great.
Some say he is a sharper.
Somebody has stolen my watch.
Nobody was there to rescue the child.
Few escaped unhurt.
Many of them were Gurkhas.
We did not see any of them again.
One or other of us will be there.
Do good to others.
Did you ask anybody to come?
What is everybody's business is nobody's business.
His words are in everyone's mouth.
All these Pronouns in italics refer to persons or things in a general way, but do not refer
to any person or thing in particular. They are, therefore, called Indefinite Pronouns.
142. Most of these words may also be used as Adjectives.
• I will take you there one day.
• Any fool can do that.
• He is a man of few words.
• Some milk was spilt.
143. In referring to anybody, everybody, everyone, anyone, each etc., the pronoun he or
she is used according to the context; as,
I shall be glad to help everyone of my boys in his studies.
Note that today it is more usual to use a plural pronoun (they/ them/their) except in very
formal English.
Anybody can do it if they try.
Each of them had their share.
Distributive Pronouns
144. Consider the following sentences:-
• Each of the boys gets a prize.
• Each took it in turn.
• Either of these roads leads to the railway station.
• Either of you can go.
• Neither of the accusations is true.
Each, either, neither are called Distributive Pronouns because they refer to persons or
things one at a time. For this reason they are always singular and as such followed by the
verb in the singular.
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Note:- Each is used to denote every one of a number of persons or things taken singly.
• Either means the one or the other of two.
• Neither means not the one nor the other of two. It is the negative of either.
Hence either and neither should be used only in speaking of two persons or things. When
more than two are spoken of, any, no one, none should be used.
145. The position of the pronoun each should be noticed. It may have three positions.
1. Each of the men received a reward.
Each of these horses cost five thousand rupees.
I bought each of these mangoes for three rupees.
2. These men received each a reward.
These horses cost each five thousand rupees.
3. These horses cost five thousand rupees each.
I bought these mangoes for three rupees each.
The third order is usual after a numeral. We do not say, 'The men received a reward each';
but we say, 'The men received five hundred rupees each'.
146. In the following sentences, each, either and neither are used as Adjectives; they are
followed by nouns of the singular number:-
Each boy took his turn. Neither accusation is true.
At either end was a marble statue. (Here either = each or both.)
147. Study the following sentences :-
1. The two men hate each other.
2. They cheated one another.
If we analyse them, they mean-
1. The two men hate, each hates the other.
2. They cheated, one cheated another.
Each and one really belong to the subject, other and another are objects. But each other
and one another have become in practice compound pronouns (called Reciprocal
Pronouns) and are rarely separated even by a preposition. Thus we say:
The brothers quarrelled with each other.
They all gave evidence against one another.
Note - The one-time rule that each other should be used in speaking of two persons or
things, one another in speaking of more than two is no longer strictly observed. 'The three
brothers quarrelled with each other' is now accepted as idiomatic.
CHAPTER 18
RELATIVE PRONOUNS
148. Read the following pairs of sentences:
1. I met Hari. Hari had just returned.
2. I have found the pen. I lost the pen.
3. Here is the book. You lent me the book.
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Let us now combine each of the above pairs into one sentence. Thus :-
1. I met Hari who had just returned.
2. I have found the pen which I lost.
3. Here is the book that you lent me.
Now let us examine the work done by each of the words, who, which and that.
The word who is used instead of the noun Hari. It, therefore, does the work of a Pronoun.
The word who joins or connects two statements. It, therefore, does the work of a
Conjunction.
The word who, therefore, does double work-the work of a Pronoun and also the work of a
Conjunction.
We might, therefore, call it a Conjunctive Pronoun.
It is, however, called a Relative Pronoun because it refers or relates (Le., carries us back)
to some noun going before (here, the noun Hari), which is called its Antecedent.
Let the pupil show why which and that are also Relative Pronouns in the second and third
sentences.
• What is the Antecedent of which in the second sentence?
• What is the Antecedent of that in the third sentence?
Forms of the Relative Pronouns
149. The Relative Pronoun who has different forms for Accusative and Genitive.
--- Singular and Plural
Nominative -- who
Genitive -- whose
Accusative -- whom/who (who replaces whom in informal English.)
• This is the boy (or girl) who works hard.
• This is the boy (or girl) whose exercise is done well.
• This is the boy (or girl) whom / who all praise.
• These are the boys (or girls) who work hard.
• These are the boys (or giris) whose exercises are done well.
• These are the boys (or girls) whom / who all praise.
It will be noticed that the forms are the same for singular and plural, masculine and
feminine.
150. The Relative Pronoun which has the same form for the Nominative and Accusative
cases.
• This is the house which belongs to my uncle.
• The house which my uncle built cost him Rs. 3,50,000
The Relative Pronoun which has no Genitive Case, but whose is used as a substitute for
'of which'; as
A triangle whose three sides are equal is called an equilateral triangle.
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151. The Relative Pronoun that has the same form in the Singular and Plural, and in the
Nominative and Accusative. It has no Genitive case.
He that is content is rich.
They that touch pitch will be defiled.
Take anything that you like.
152. The Relative Pronoun what is used only in the Singular, and has the same form in
the Nominative and Accusative.
• What has happened is not clear.
• I say what I mean.
• He failed in what he attempted.
Use of the Relative Pronouns
153. As a general rule, who is used for persons only. It may refer to a Singular or a Plural
Noun.
• The man who is honest is trusted.
• Blessed is he who has found his work.
• He prayeth best who loveth best.
• He who hesitates is lost.
• They never fail who die in a great cause.
• They are slaves Who dare not be
• In the right with two or three.
Who is sometimes used in referring to animals.
Whose (the Possessive form of who) is used in speaking of persons, animals and also
things without life (see § 150); as,
The sun, whose rays give life to the earth, is regarded by some people as a god.
This is the question whose solution has baffled philosophers of all ages.
[More properly, 'This is the question the solution of which has baffled philosophers of all
ages'.]
154. Which is used for things without life and for animals. It may refer to a Singular or
Plural Noun.
• The moment which is lost is lost for ever.
• The books which help you most are those which make you think most.
• The horse which I recently bought is an Arab.
Which was formerly used to refer to persons; as,
Our Father, which art in heaven.
Which may also refer to a sentence; as,
The man was said to be drunk, which was not the case.
He said he saw me there, which was a lie.
He is here, which is fortunate.
Note- The relative pronouns who and which can be used-
(i) To restrict, limit, or define more clearly the antecedent; that is; where the clause
introduced by a relative pronoun is restrictive or non-defining; as,
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The man who had cheated me was yesterday arrested by the police.
The book which you see on the table cost me ninety rupees.
(ii) To give some additional information about the antecedent; that is, where the clause
introduced by a relative pronoun is continuative or defining; as,
The teacher sent for the boy, who (= and he) came at once.
I gave him a rupee, which (= and it) was all I had with me.
Note that non-defining clauses are separated from the main clause by commas. Compare:
• My brother who is a doctor has gone to America.
• My brother, who is a doctor, has gone to America.
The first sentence implies that the speaker has several brothers, and the clause who is a
doctor distinguishes a particular one of them. In the second, the clause does not define
and the implication is that the speaker has only one brother.
155. That is used for persons and things. It may refer to a Singular or a Plural Noun. (See
§ 151).
That has no genitive case and it is never used with a preposition preceding.
• This is the boy that I told you of.
• I know the house that he lives in.
• Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.
• I have lost the watch that you gave me.
• Thrice is he armed that hath his quarrel just.
• A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
• He that is not with me is against me.
• Happy is the man that findeth wisdom.
• He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty.
• The crowd that gathered cheered him to the echo.
• Who that has met him can escape his influence ?
• All that I said had no effect on him.
• He was the most eloquent speaker that I ever heard.
It will be noticed that the relative pronoun that is used only in defining clauses, i.e.,
clauses that restrict, limit, or define the antecedent.
156. That may be used as an adverbial accusative = on which, in which, at which; as,
I remember the day that he came.
On the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
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157. As the Relative Pronoun that has a restrictive force it sometimes becomes unsuitable
as the substitute for who or which. Thus I cannot say-
My father that is a schoolmaster is fifty years old.
I must say-
My father who is schoolmaster, is fifty years old.
