Pronouns

A pronoun is a word use in place of a noun. Pronouns are of eight kinds:

1. Personal Pronoun

2. Demonstrative Pronoun

3. Interrogative Pronoun

4. Indefinite Pronoun

5. Distributive Pronoun

6. Reflexive Pronoun

7. Relative Pronoun

8. Reciprocal Pronoun

1. Personal Pronoun

1st Person	I, me, my, mine, we, us, our, ours.
2nd Person	You, your, yours, thou, thee, thine.
3rd person	He, him, his, she, her, hers, it, its, they, them, their, theirs

2. Demonstrative Pronoun

This, that, these, those, so, such, same, one, ones, it.

3. Interrogative Pronoun

Who, what, whom, which.

4. Indefinite Pronoun

any. none, one, ones, some, someone, everybody, somebody.

5. Distributive Pronoun

Each, neither, each other, one another.

6. Reflexive Pronoun

Myself, Himself,  myself, themselves, herself, ourselves

                                                             7. Relative Pronoun

Who,  which,  that, what, something, someone.

                                     8. Reciprocal Pronoun

Each other, One another.

Pronouns

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Definition

• A pronoun (I, me, he, she, herself, you, it, that, they, each, few, many, who, whoever, whose, someone, everybody, etc.) is a word that takes the place of a noun. In the sentence Joe saw Jill, and he waved at her, the pronouns he and her take the place of Joe and Jill, respectively. There are three types of pronouns: subject (for example, he); object (him); or possessive (his).

Rule 1. Subject pronouns are used when the pronoun is the subject of the sentence. You can remember subject pronouns easily by filling in the blank subject space for a simple sentence.

Example: ___ did the job.
I, he, she, we, they, who, whoever, etc., all qualify and are, therefore, subject pronouns.

Rule 2. Subject pronouns are also used if they rename the subject. They will follow to be verbs, such as is, are, was, were, am, will be, had been, etc.

Examples:
It is he.
This is she speaking.
It is we who are responsible for the decision to downsize.

NOTE

In informal English, most people tend to follow to be verbs with object pronouns like me, her, them. Many English scholars tolerate this distinction between formal and casual English.

Example: It could have been them.

Technically correct: It could have been they.

Example: It is just me at the door.

Technically correct: It is just I at the door.

Rule 3. This rule surprises even language watchers: when who refers to a personal pronoun (I, you, he, she, we, they), it takes the verb that agrees with that pronoun.

Correct: It is I who am sorry. (I am)

Incorrect: It is I who is sorry.

Correct: It is you who are mistaken. (you are)

Incorrect: It is you who's mistaken.

Rule 4. In addition to subject pronouns, there are also object pronouns, known more specifically as direct object, indirect object, and object of a preposition (for more detail, see the definition of a verb in the Finding Nouns, Verbs, and Subjects section). Object pronouns include me, him, herself, us, them, themselves.

Examples:
Jean saw him.
Him is the direct object of the verb saw.

Give her the book.
The direct object of give is book, and her is the indirect object. Indirect objects always have an implied to or for in front of them: Give [to] her the book. Do [for] me a favor.

Are you talking to me?
Me is the object of the preposition to.

Rule 5. The pronouns who, that, and which become singular or plural depending on the subject. If the subject is singular, use a singular verb. If it is plural, use a plural verb.

Example: He is the only one of those men who is always on time.
The word who refers to one. Therefore, use the singular verb is.

Sometimes we must look more closely to find a verb's true subject:

Example: He is one of those men who are always on time.
The word who refers to men. Therefore, use the plural verb are.

In sentences like this last example, many would mistakenly insist that one is the subject, requiring is always on time. But look at it this way: Of those men who are always on time, he is one.
Rule 6. Pronouns that are singular (I, he, she, everyone, everybody, anyone, anybody, no one, nobody, someone, somebody, each, either, neither, etc.) require singular verbs. This rule is frequently overlooked when using the pronouns each, either, and neither, followed by of. Those three pronouns always take singular verbs. Do not be misled by what follows of.

Examples:
Each of the girls sings well.
Either of us is capable of doing the job.
Neither of them is available to speak right now.

Exception: When each follows a noun or pronoun in certain sentences, even experienced writers sometimes get tripped up:

Incorrect: The women each gave her approval.
Correct: The women each gave their approval.
Incorrect: The words are and there each ends with a silent vowel.
Correct: The words are and there each end with a silent vowel.

These examples do not contradict Rule 6, because each is not the subject, but rather an adjunct describing the true subject.
Rule 7. To decide whether to use the subject or object pronoun after the words than or as, mentally complete the sentence.

Examples:
Tranh is as smart as she/her.
If we mentally complete the sentence, we would say Tranh is as smart as she is. Therefore, she is the correct answer.

Zoe is taller than I/me.
Mentally completing the sentence, we have Zoe is taller than I am.

Daniel would rather talk to her than I/me.
We can interpret this sentence in two ways: Daniel would rather talk to her than to me. OR Daniel would rather talk to her than I would. A sentence's meaning can change considerably, depending on the pronoun you choose.

Rule 8. The possessive pronouns yours, his, hers, its, ours, theirs, and whose never need apostrophes. Avoid mistakes like her's and your's.
Rule 9. The only time it's has an apostrophe is when it is a contraction for it is or it has. The only time who's has an apostrophe is when it means who is or who has. There is no apostrophe in oneself. Avoid "one's self," a common error.

Examples:
It's been a cold morning.
The thermometer reached its highest reading.
He's the one who's always on time.
He's the one whose wife is always on time.
Keeping oneself ready is important.

Rule 10. Pronouns that end in -self or -selves are called reflexive pronouns. There are nine reflexive pronouns: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, oneself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves.
Reflexive pronouns are used when both the subject and the object of a verb are the same person or thing.

Example: Joe helped himself.

If the object of a preposition refers to a previous noun or pronoun, use a reflexive pronoun:

Example: Joe bought it for himself.

Reflexive pronouns help avoid confusion and nonsense. Without them, we might be stuck with sentences like Joe helped Joe.

Correct: I worked myself to the bone.

The object myself is the same person as the subject I, performing the act of working.

Incorrect: My brother and myself did it.
Correct: My brother and I did it.

Don't use myself unless the pronoun I or me precedes it in the sentence.

Incorrect: Please give it to John or myself.
Correct: Please give it to John or me.
Correct: You saw me being myself.

Myself refers back to me in the act of being.
A sentence like Help yourself looks like an exception to the rule until we realize it's shorthand for You may help yourself.
In certain cases, a reflexive pronoun may come first.

Example: Doubting himself, the man proceeded cautiously.

Reflexive pronouns are also used for emphasis.

Example: He himself finished the whole job.

Rule 11. The use of they and their with singular pronouns is frowned upon by many traditionalists. To be consistent, it is a good practice to try to avoid they and its variants (e.g., them, their, themselves) with previously singular nouns or pronouns.

Not consistent: Someone has to do it, and they have to do it well.

The problem is that someone is singular, but they is plural. If we change they to he or she, we get a rather clumsy sentence, even if it is technically correct.

Technically correct: Someone has to do it, and he or she has to do it well.

Replacing an inconsistent sentence with a poorly written one is a bad bargain. The better option is to rewrite.

Rewritten: Someone has to do it, and has to do it well.

Many writers abhor the he or she solution. Following are more examples of why rewriting is a better idea than using he or she or him or her to keep sentences consistent.

Inconsistent: No one realizes when their time is up.
Awkward: No one realizes when his or her time is up.
Rewritten: None realize when their time is up.
Inconsistent: If you see anyone on the trail, tell them to be careful.
Awkward: If you see anyone on the trail, tell him or her to be careful.
Rewritten: Tell anyone you see on the trail to be careful.

NOTE

Please see our note regarding the word none under Rule 6 of Subject-Verb Agreement.
Rule 12. When a pronoun is linked with a noun by and, mentally remove the and + noun phrase to avoid trouble.

Incorrect: Her and her friend came over.

If we remove and her friend, we're left with the ungrammatical Her came over.

Correct: She and her friend came over.

Incorrect: I invited he and his wife.

If we remove and his wife, we're left with the ungrammatical I invited he.

Correct: I invited him and his wife.

Incorrect: Bill asked my sister and I.

If we remove my sister and, we're left with the ungrammatical Bill asked I.

Correct: Bill asked my sister and me.

NOTE

Do not combine a subject pronoun and an object pronoun in phrases like her and I or he and me. Whenever and or or links an object pronoun (her, me) and a subject pronoun (he, I), one of those pronouns will always be wrong.

Incorrect: Her and I went home.
Correct: She and I went home. (She went and I went.)

Subject Verb Agreement

Rule-1 : Subject এর Number ও Person অনুযায়ী Auxiliary Verb গুলো Ordinary Verb/Tense Auxiliaries/Modals হিসেবে ব্যবহৃত হয়।
a. Subject যদি First Person Singular Number হয় তাহলে Auxiliary Verb হিসেবে am, was, have, shall বসে।
b. Subject যদি First Person Plural Number হয় তাহলে Auxiliary Verb হিসেবে are, were, have, will বসে।
c. Subject যদি Second Person হয় তাহলে Auxiliary Verb হিসেবে are, were, have, will বসে।
d. Subject যদি Third Person Singular Number হয় তাহলে Auxiliary Verb হিসেবে is, was, has, will বসে।
e. Subject যদি Third Person Plural Number হয় তাহলে Auxiliary Verb হিসেবে are, were, have, will বসে।
Rule-2 : Subject যদি 3rd Person Singular Number হয় তাহলে Present Indefinite Tense এ Verb এর সাথে s/es যোগ করতে হয়।
Rule-3 : একটি Infinitive, Gerund, Verbal Noun, Clause বা Phrase যদি কোন Sentence এর Subject হয় তবে, Verb Singular Form হবে।
Example :
- To err is human. (Infinitive)
- Swimming is a good exercise. (Gerund)
- The reading of history is interesting. (Verbal Noun)
- What Ratul says is not true. (Clause)
- How to do this is a difficult questions. (Phrase)
Rule-4 : দুই বা ততোধিক Singular Noun 'And' দ্বারা যুক্ত হলে, তাদের Verb Plural হবে।
Example :
You and I are two friends.
Sohel and Rasel are two brothers.
NB: কিন্তু and দ্বারা যুক্ত Noun গুলো যদি একই ব্যক্তিকে বা বস্তু বা ভাব প্রকাশ করে তবে তাদের Verb টি Singular হয়।
Example :
- The Headmaster and Secretary has told this.
- Bread and Butter is my favourite breakfast.
Rule-5 : Either……or ও Neither …… or দ্বারা Singular ও Plural Number যুক্ত হলে or ও not এর পরে যে Noun বা Pronoun বসে সে Noun বা Pronoun অনুসারে Verb হয়।
Example :
- Either you or he is guilty.
- Neither you nor your brother was present.
- Either he or his brothers have done this.
- Neither the bus or the rickshaws were on the road.
Rule-6 : Either, Neither, Each, Everyone, Many a এর পরে অবশ্যই Singular Verb বসে।
Example :
- Either of the girls has done the work.
- Neither of the boys had got a prize.
- Everyone of the boys was given a prize.
Rule-7 : যে সব Noun অাকৃতিতে Plural কিন্তু অর্থের দিক দিয়ে Singular তাদের পরে Singular Verb বসে।
Example :
- The ill news runs apace.
- Physics is my favourite subject.
Rule-8 : যে সব Noun অাকৃতিতে Singular কিন্তু অর্থের দিক দিয়ে Plural, তাদের পরে Plural Verb বসবে।
Example :
- Cattle are grazing in the field.
- The peasantry of Bangladesh are poor.
Rule-9 : Collective Noun এর পরে Singular Verb বসবে।
Example :
- The class is suspended for heavy rainfall.
- The jury was unanimous in its opinions.
কিন্তু Collective Noun এর ব্যক্তি বা বস্তুর মধ্যে প্রত্যেকটিকে পৃথক পৃথক বুঝালে তার পরে Plural Verb বসে।
Example :
- The class are divided in this matter.
- The jury were divided in their opinions.
Rule-10 : যদি কোন পুস্তক বা দেশের নাম Plural এর মত হয় তবে তাদের পরে Singular Verb বসবে।
Example :
- The Arabian Nights is very famous.
- The United States of America is a rich country.
Rule-11 : Adjective এর Plural হয় না। কিন্তু Adjective এর পূর্বে the বসলে তা Plural হিসেবে গণ্য হয় এবং তার পরে Plural Verb বসে।
Example :
- The rich are not always happy.
- The poor are born to suffer.
Rule-12 : একটি নির্দিষ্ট পরিমাণ দুরত্ব বা পরিমাণ বুঝালে Subject Plural হলেও তার পরে Singular Verb বসে।
Example :
- Ninety miles is a long distance
- Fifty thousand taka is a big amount.
Rule-13 : দুটি Noun Each, Every বা No দ্বারা বিশেষিত হলেও যদি তাদেরকে And দ্বারা যুক্ত করা হয় তবে Verb Singular হবে।
Example :
- Each boy and each girl has got prize.
- Every man and every woman was given monetary help.
Rule-14 : Most ও Majority কে Plural হিসেবে গণ্য করা বলে এদের পরে Plural Verb বসে।
Example :
- Most of the people of Bangladesh are poor.
- The Majority of the people are famous.
Rule-15 : A large number এর পরে Verb Plural হবে এবং The number of এর পরে Verb Singular হবে।
Example :
- A large number of girls were present there.
- The number of girls was large.
Rule-16 : One of এর পরে Plural Common Number বসে।
Example :
- Shakespeare was one of the greatest dramatists.
Rule-17 : Lest এর পরে সর্বদাই Should বসে।
Example :
- Make haste lest you should miss the bus.
- I studied hard lest I should fail.
Rule-18 : যদি বিভিন্ন Number অথবা Person এর Subject 'and' দ্বারা যুক্ত হয় তাহলে Person অনুযায়ী Subject বসাবার সাধারণ নিয়ম - প্রথমে 2nd Person, পরে 3rd Person ও শেষে 1st Person হয়।
Example :
- You, he and I are friends.
- You and I would enjoy the TV.
কিন্তু দোষ স্বীকারের ক্ষেত্রে বিপরীত পদ্ধতি হয়।
Example :
- I, he and you have done the mischief.
SUBJECT – VERB – AGREEMENT
This grammar tips are about subject verb agreement which are very important to make right sentence. For developing your spoken accuracy as well as solving problems of sentence building,this online grammar lesson plays a significant role.
Subject – Verb – Agreement is the system how verb is used after subject.

• She is my teacher.
• They are my friends.

#  SYSTEM-1
There is ‘singular verb’ after ‘singular subject’

• Shahed learns English
• They learn English
• A baby is crying
• The babies are crying.

‘Plural verb’ should be used after ‘plural verb’

• My friend was present in the meeting.
• My friends were present in the meeting.

#  SYSTEM-2
Singular subjects take ‘plural verb’ if they are connected by ‘And’

• Shahed and Sabbir  are good friends.
• Shamim and Zeba help each other.

#  SYSTEM-3
But ‘Singular verb’ is required after and if two subjects refers to the same person

• Slow and steady wins the race. (AdÉhp¡u£l¡C S£h­e pgm qu) z
• Bread and butter is my favorite food.

#  SYSTEM-4
The + subject + and + subject = ‘Plural verb’

• The teacher and the guest have joined the seminar.
• The principal and the chairman are taking rest.

 #  SYSTEM-5
The + subject + and+ subject = ‘Singular verb’

• The teacher and guest has joined the seminar.
• The principal and chairman is taking rest.

 #  SYSTEM-6
‘Verb’ can be used both ‘singular and plural form’ in case of mathematical calculation.

• 6 plus 3 makes 9     or
• 6 plus 3 make 9.

 #  SYSTEM-7
‘One of’ takes ‘plural noun/Pronoun’ after it but ‘verb’ is singular.

• One of the boys is a good player
• One of them has played well.

#  SYSTEM-8

	A number of + Plural noun + Plural verb

• A number of people have visited sabbirsenglishworld.com
• A number of students are learning phonetics.

#  SYSTEM-9

	The number of + Plural noun + Singular verb

• The number of people has visited website
• The number of students is learning phonetics.

 #  SYSTEM-10
There is always ‘singular verb’ after the names of countries, persons, Organizations etc even if they end with ‘S’

• John keats is called the poet of beauty.
• James is  a popular band singer.
• The united nations rules the world.

 #  SYSTEM-11
There/here takes ‘verb’ according to the ‘noun or pronoun’ after it.

• There are many researchers in ELRC project.
• Here is a gift for you. 

#  SYSTEM-12
 ‘Singular verb’ should be used after ‘no’

• No child is cute here
• No advice was helpful for him.

#  SYSTEM-13
When phrase/Clause/Infinitive is used as a ‘Subject’ then it takes ‘Singular verb’

• To walk is  a good exercise.
• Swimming is good for health.

 #  SYSTEM-14
Uncountable noun is always ‘Singular’

• Water is  a liquid substance.
• Fifty dollars is a huge amount.

 #  SYSTEM-15
Collective noun Generally takes ‘Singular verb’

• The family lives together.

But ‘verb’ becomes plural after collective noun’ when it is divided.

• The family live separately.

#  SYSTEM-16
The first part is considered as subject while there is preposition at the middle point of subject.

• A basket of apples has been sold.
• The color of his eyes is blue.

#  SYSTEM-17
The following nouns seem to be plural, but they are Singular :
*          Civics, economies, politics, physics, ethics, mathematics, athletics, innings gallows, optics, mumps, news, statistics, polities.

• Physics is a subject of science.
• The news was pathetic.

#  SYSTEM-18
The following nouns are always ‘singular’ and takes singular verb.
*          Scenery, furniture, alphabet, poetry, information, equipment, expenditure, machinery etc.

• The scenery attracts the people.
• This information is valuable.

#  SYSTEM-19
The following nouns seem to be singular, but they are ‘Plural’ and take ‘plural verb’ :
*          Aristocracy, peasantry, Gentry, cattle, poultry, perfumery, public, people,

• People of our country are hospitable.
• The cattle are grazing in the field.

#  SYSTEM-20
The following nouns are always plural and take ‘plural verb’:
*          Savings, earnings, vegetables, surroundings, glasses, trousers, riches, aims, politics, wages, dues

• Savings are helpful for future.
• Trousers have earned popularity.

 #  SYSTEM-21
The following nouns can be both ‘Singular or Plural’ and take their respective form.
*          Deer, pair, dozen, sheer etc.

• Five dozen are need for you.
• One dozen is needed for you.

#  SYSTEM-22
If there are (with together with, as well as, along with, in addition to, accompanied by) in any sentence, then ‘verb’ is needed according to first subject.

• Ripon along with shihab has come to S@ifur’s
• Mahmud accompanied by his children has made journey.

#  SYSTEM-23
In case of “either…. or\neither……. nor” the verb is placed according to last subject.

• Neither Jahid nor his teacher is dishonest.
• Either Selim or his friends were present.

#  SYSTEM-24
Temperature, distance, weather, time, money, quantity = ‘Singular Verb’.

• The temperature was 38 cc.

• Ten mounds is a heavy weight.