A pronoun is a word used instead of a noun; as, “He saw me shoot,” and “Who's this guy with you?”
Pronouns
From A New English Grammar for Schools, by Thomas Harvey:
A pronoun is a word used instead of a noun.
I gave him my book, and he studied his lesson.
In this sentence, “I” and “my” are used instead of the name of the person speaking, and “him,” “his,” and “he,” instead of the name of the one to whom the book was given.
Who has the book which you were reading?
In this sentence “who”is used instead of the name of the person inquired for; “which,” instead of the word ”book”; and “you,” instead of the name of a person addressed. Each of these words is called a pronoun, which means instead of a noun.
Exercise
Point out the nouns, pronouns, and verbs in the following sentences:
1. I do not know where you live.2. Who gave her that pencil?3. She came from home an hour ago.4. What have you there, my son?5. Their house is much larger than our uncle’s.6. Your father is her mother’s brother.7. Whose farm is for sale in your neighborhood?8. My cousin’s farm is for sale.9. His wife died last week.10. He wishes a purchaser at once.11. Who cares for his children?12. Their mother’s sister has them.
Composition
1. Copy the following formal invitation to dinner:
Mr. Harold C. Glover requests the pleasure of Ms. Jasmine Johnson’s company at dinner on Tuesday evening, January the twenty-fifth, at half after six o’clock.
215 Poplar Avenue
2. Have fun:
Write in the same form an invitation to one of your friends, to a five o’clock tea. Be careful of the capitals and punctuation.
3. Copy the following formal acceptance to dinner:
Ms. Jasmine Johnson accepts with pleasure Mr. Harold C. Glover’s kind invitation for dinner Tuesday evening, January the twenty-fifth, at half after six o’clock.
35 Howard Street
4. Have fun:
Write a formal note regretting your inability to accept the invitation to dinner.
