👉 Pronouns
Understanding Pronouns and their usage.
Pronouns
A Pronoun is a word used in place of a noun to avoid repetition. (यह एक शब्द है जो दोहराव से बचने के लिए संज्ञा के स्थान पर प्रयोग किया जाता है।)
Examples: He, She, It, We, They, You, I
1. Personal Pronouns
Personal pronouns refer to specific people or things. They change form based on person (1st, 2nd, 3rd) and case (Subject vs Object).
The Three Persons
| Person | Role | Pronouns |
|---|---|---|
| First Person | Speaker (बोलने वाला) | I, We |
| Second Person | Listener (सुनने वाला) | You |
| Third Person | Topic of discussion | He, She, It, They |
Subject vs. Object Pronouns
Core Logic: The Doer vs. The Receiver
Think of a sentence like a farm scene. There's a Farmer (who does the work) and a Field (which receives the work).
- Doer (Subjective): I, He, She, They → Comes before the verb.
- Receiver (Objective): Me, Him, Her, Them → Comes after the verb or preposition.
Quick Test: Ask: "Who is doing and who is receiving?"
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Pronouns
A Pronoun is a word used in place of a noun to avoid repetition. (यह एक शब्द है जो दोहराव से बचने के लिए संज्ञा के स्थान पर प्रयोग किया जाता है।)
Examples: He, She, It, We, They, You, I
1. Personal Pronouns
Personal pronouns refer to specific people or things. They change form based on person (1st, 2nd, 3rd) and case (Subject vs Object).
The Three Persons
| Person | Role | Pronouns |
|---|---|---|
| First Person | Speaker (बोलने वाला) | I, We |
| Second Person | Listener (सुनने वाला) | You |
| Third Person | Topic of discussion | He, She, It, They |
Subject vs. Object Pronouns
Core Logic: The Doer vs. The Receiver
Think of a sentence like a farm scene. There's a Farmer (who does the work) and a Field (which receives the work).
- Doer (Subjective): I, He, She, They → Comes before the verb.
- Receiver (Objective): Me, Him, Her, Them → Comes after the verb or preposition.
Quick Test: Ask: "Who is doing and who is receiving?"
- ❌ Me grow wheat every year. → ✅ I grow wheat every year. ("I" is the Doer).
- ❌ The officer summoned he. → ✅ The officer summoned him. ("Him" is the Receiver).
| Subject Pronoun | Object Pronoun |
|---|---|
| I | me |
| We | us |
| You | you |
| He | him |
| She | her |
| It | it |
| They | them |
Examples:
- There is a strong bond between you and me. (Preposition + Object)
- Rajan, Priya and she will submit the NABARD application. (Subject)
- Let me handle the irrigation schedule. (Object)
Objective Case after Verbs (Transitive Verbs)
When a verb denotes an action (Transitive Verb), the person or thing receiving the action is the Object.
Rule: Verb + Objective Pronoun
Examples:
- The IBPS officer introduced herself to the new recruits. (Subject + Verb + Object)
- The farmer adjusted the water pump to improve flow.
- She resigned her post as branch manager.
- The field supervisor scolded him. (Not he)
Objective Case after Prepositions
After a preposition (like to, for, with, by, between), the pronoun must always be in the Objective Case.
Rule: Preposition + Objective Pronoun (me, him, her, us, them)
Examples:
- The NABARD officer is senior to me. (✅ Correct - 'to' is a preposition)
- The NABARD officer is senior to I. (❌ Incorrect)
Subjective Case after "Be" Verbs
When using pronouns after a be verb (is, am, are, was, were), the subjective case should be used.
Core Logic: The "State" Verb (No Action)
When "be" verbs act as the Main Verb, they describe a State (who someone is) rather than an Action (what someone does).
- Logic: Since there is no "receiver" of an action, the pronoun remains in the Subjective Case (I, He, She, They).
- Test: If you can say "It is [Pronoun]", use the subjective form.
Examples:
- It is I who submitted the application. (Not "me")
- It is he who cleared the RRB exam. (Not "him")
- She was a dedicated agriculture officer. ("was" = main verb showing state)
- ✅ It is he who deserves the promotion in the cooperative bank.
- ✅ It is they who organised the Kisan Mela.
- ✅ It was we who completed the field survey before the deadline.
- ❌ It is him who deserves the promotion. (Incorrect)
Comparison of Pronouns
When comparing two people, their grammatical roles must match. The trick is to complete the sentence in your head.
Core Logic: Complete the Sentence
Comparisons often have hidden words. To find the correct pronoun, mentally complete the sentence:
- "Ramesh scores higher than ___" → Complete it: "Ramesh scores higher than ___ scores."
- Since the hidden verb is "scores", the pronoun is a Subject → Use I/He/She/They.
The Rule: Compare Subjects to Subjects and Objects to Objects.
Example 1: Subject Comparison
- ❌ The IBPS topper scored higher than me.
- ✅ The IBPS topper scored higher than I (did).
- Logic: Complete it → "The topper scored higher than I scored." Both "topper" and "I" are subjects.
Example 2: Object Comparison
- ✅ The manager trusts Suresh more than me.
- Logic: Complete it → "The manager trusts Suresh more than (the manager trusts) me." Both "Suresh" and "me" are objects of "trusts".
Example 3: Meaning Changes with Pronoun Choice!
- "Savita respects Meena more than he." = Savita respects Meena more than he respects her. (Subject)
- (सविता मीना का उससे ज़्यादा सम्मान करती है जितना वह करता है।)
- "Savita respects Meena more than him." = Savita respects Meena more than she respects him. (Object)
- (सविता मीना का उससे ज़्यादा सम्मान करती है उसकी तुलना में।)
- Watch out: The pronoun you choose can completely change the meaning! (सर्वनाम से अर्थ बदल जाता है!)
More Examples with Detailed Logic:
Example A: "We are closer colleagues than he and she (are)."
- ✅ Correct: he and she
- ❌ Incorrect: him and her
- Logic: Complete the sentence → "We are closer colleagues than he and she ARE (close colleagues)."
- Since "he and she" are subjects of the hidden verb "are", we use subjective case (he/she, not him/her).
Example B: "Nobody knows the Ganga plains better than they (do)."
- ✅ Correct: they
- ❌ Incorrect: them
- Logic: Complete it → "Nobody knows the Ganga plains better than they KNOW (them)."
- "They" is the subject of the hidden verb "know" → Use subjective case.
Example C: "The NABARD panel selected Anita rather than them."
- ✅ Correct: them
- Logic: Complete it → "The panel selected Anita rather than (the panel selected) them."
- Both "Anita" and "them" are objects of the verb "selected" → Use objective case.
Example D: "The cooperative shortlisted her rather than him."
- ✅ Correct: him
- Logic: Complete it → "The cooperative shortlisted her rather than (they shortlisted) him."
- Both "her" and "him" are objects of the verb "shortlisted" → Use objective case.
2. Possessive Pronouns & Adjectives
Both show ownership, but they work differently.
Core Logic: Adjective (Describes) vs. Pronoun (Replaces)
Type Function Structure Example Possessive Adjective Describes a noun Word + Noun This is my land. Possessive Pronoun Replaces the noun Word stands alone This land is mine. Common Trap: Never use apostrophes with possessive pronouns!
- ❌ Your's sincerely → ✅ Yours sincerely.
- ❌ The buffalo licked it's calf → ✅ The buffalo licked its calf. ("It's" = It is).
Possessive Adjectives
- my, your, her, his, its, our, their + Noun
Possessive Pronouns
- mine, yours, hers, his, its, ours, theirs (stand alone)
Examples:
OursOur village is near the Yamuna. → Ours is a village near the Yamuna.TheirsTheir farm yields three crops a year. → Theirs is a farm that yields three crops a year.
| Your separation | Separation | Yours |
Common Errors with Possessive Adjectives
The following words are generally not used with Possessive Adjectives (my, your, her, their, etc.):
- Words: Separation, Leave, Excuse, Mention, Report, Pardon, Sight, Favour.
Rule: Use Preposition + Objective Case instead.
Examples:
- ❌ His favour did not make any difference. → ✅ Favour from him did not make any difference.
- ❌ Their mention in the FCI notice was unexpected. → ✅ Mention of them in the FCI notice was unexpected.
- ❌ At her sight the goats scattered. → ✅ At the sight of her the goats scattered.
- ❌ Your separation from the team is very painful. → ✅ Separation from you is very painful.
3. Demonstrative Pronouns
Demonstrative pronouns demonstrate or point to something.
Core Logic: Near vs. Far + Singular vs. Plural
Demonstrative pronouns point to things based on distance (near/far) and number (one/many).
- Near: This (one), These (many)
- Far: That (one), Those (many)
Key Distinction: If it stands alone, it's a Pronoun. If it describes a noun, it's an Adjective.
- This is good. (Pronoun) vs. This crop is good. (Adjective)
| Pronoun | Meaning | Number |
|---|---|---|
| This | यह (Near) | Singular |
| That | वह (Far) | Singular |
| These | ये सब (Near) | Plural |
| Those | वे सब (Far) | Plural |
| Such | ऐसा | Singular/Plural |
Important Distinction:
- Demonstrative Pronoun: This is a fertile field. (Stands alone)
- Demonstrative Adjective: This field is fertile. (Modifies the noun "field")
4. Reflexive & Emphatic Pronouns
Words ending in -self (singular) or -selves (plural).
- Examples: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves.
Scientific Distinction: Reflexive vs. Emphatic
Though they look identical, their function and placement are scientifically different.
| Feature | Reflexive Pronoun | Emphatic Pronoun |
|---|---|---|
| Function | Receives the action (Object). | Emphasizes the Subject (Intensifier). |
| Core Logic | Subject = Object (Action reflects back). | Subject + Emphasis (Just adds specific weight). |
| Position | After the verb. | Usually immediately after the Subject. |
| Removal Test | Fails: Sentence becomes meaningless. | Passes: Sentence remains grammatically correct. |
1. Reflexive Pronouns (The Mirror Effect)
Used when the doer (independent variable) and the receiver (dependent variable) are the same entity.
- Formula: Subject + Verb + Reflexive Pronoun
Examples:
- ✅ The farmer injured himself while ploughing. (farmer = himself)
- ✅ The students exhausted themselves during the mock test. (students = themselves)
- ❌ The farmer injured. (Incomplete: Injured whom?)
2. Emphatic Pronouns (The Intensifier)
Used merely to put pressure or emphasis on the noun/pronoun. It is not grammatically essential.
- Formula: Subject + Emphatic Pronoun + Verb
Examples:
- ✅ The collector himself visited the flood-affected villages. (Stress: the collector personally, not a subordinate).
- Removal Test: "The collector visited the flood-affected villages." (Still correct ✅).
- ✅ She herself cleared the NABARD Grade A exam.
The Transitive Verb Rule (Missing Object Logic)
Certain verbs are Transitive, meaning they must transfer their action to an object to make sense.
Scientific Rule: If a Transitive Verb lacks an external object, the Subject becomes the Object (Reflexive).
Verbs requiring this check:
- introduce, enjoy, avail, adjust, pride, absent, acquit, resign, apply, adapt.
Scenario A: External Object Present (No Reflexive needed)
- The officer introduced his colleague to the committee. ("colleague" is the object).
- The new recruit adjusted the tractor seat. ("seat" is the object).
Scenario B: No External Object (Reflexive Required)
- The officer introduced ___ to the committee. (Incomplete ❌)
- ✅ The officer introduced himself to the committee.
- The student adjusted ___ to hostel life. (Incomplete ❌)
- ✅ The student adjusted himself to hostel life.
- She resigned ___ from the post of field officer. (Incomplete ❌)
- ✅ She resigned herself to the situation (or "resigned her post").
4. Rules for Subject & Object Usage
Rule 1: Reflexive pronouns should not be used as the Subject of a sentence. Rule 2: If the action does not impact the doer, they should not be used as the Object either.
Examples:
-
As Subject (Incorrect):
- ❌ Yourself and Priya can present the IBPS project.
- ❌ Myself and Ravi completed the farm survey.
- ✅ You and Priya can present the IBPS project.
- ✅ Ravi and I completed the farm survey. (Order 2-3-1)
-
As Object (Action not reflecting back):
- ❌ Everything she achieved in Punjab was for yourself and your family.
- Why? The subject ("she") is different from the object ("yourself"). The action doesn't reflect back.
- ✅ Everything she achieved in Punjab was for you and your family.
- ✅ She achieved it all for herself. (Correct: Subject "She" = Object "Herself")
3. Verbs that DO NOT take Reflexive Pronouns
These verbs denote actions that are naturally performed on oneself or are intransitive, so adding a reflexive pronoun is redundant and incorrect.
Verbs: hide, keep, bathe, rest, stop, turn, move, sell, open, qualify, concentrate, feel, hurry.
Examples:
- ❌ The farmer hid himself behind the sugarcane field. → ✅ The farmer hid behind the sugarcane field.
- ❌ She qualified herself for the RRB-SO post. → ✅ She qualified for the RRB-SO post.
- ❌ The cattle stopped themselves at the river bank. → ✅ The cattle stopped at the river bank.
- ✅ You should keep away from negative people. (Not "keep yourself")
Exception:
- ✅ He dressed himself smartly for the IBPS interview. (He dressed for the interview - both are correct)
5. Distributive Pronouns
Distributive pronouns refer to individual members of a group.
Core Logic: One at a Time
Words like Each, Every, Either, Neither pick members of a group one by one. Since they focus on individuals, they are always Singular.
- ✅ Each of the farmers has an Aadhaar-linked account. (Not 'have').
- ✅ Neither of the two canals leads to the main field.
Recall:
- Either/Neither = Choice between 2.
- Any/None = Choice among more than 2.
| Pronoun | Usage |
|---|---|
| Each | Any number |
| Either | 2 options |
| Neither | 2 options (negative) |
| One | General |
| Any | >2 options |
| None | >2 options (negative) |
Note: Every functions as an adjective, not a pronoun.
- ✅ Each of the candidates is hardworking. (Pronoun)
- ✅ Each candidate is hardworking. (Adjective)
- ✅ Every aspirant is hardworking. (Adjective)
- ❌ Every of the aspirants is hardworking. (Wrong - "Every" can't be a pronoun)
6. Indefinite & Interrogative Pronouns
Core Logic: Definite vs. Indefinite
- Interrogative Pronouns ask questions to get specific answers (Who? Which? What?).
- Indefinite Pronouns refer to non-specific people or things (Some, Any, None, Few).
Key Insight: Interrogative pronouns lead to nouns as answers. Indefinite pronouns replace unknown nouns.
Indefinite Pronouns
- Not definite/specific
- Examples: Any, Some, None, Few, Many, All
Interrogative Pronouns
- Used to ask questions
- Examples: Who, Whom, Whose, Which, What
Examples:
- Whose land is registered under PM Kisan?
- Whom did you contact at the bank?
7. Relative Pronouns
Relative pronouns connect a clause or phrase to a noun or pronoun.
Core Logic: The "He/Him" Trick for Who vs. Whom
If you're confused, try replacing the word with He or Him.
- If He fits → Use Who (Subject)
- If Him fits → Use Whom (Object)
Example: "The officer ___ I met at the NABARD office was helpful."
- Test: I met Him? Yes. → Use whom.
Who vs. Whom
| Subjective | Objective | |
|---|---|---|
| I | I | me |
| He | He | him |
| She | She | her |
| They | They | them |
| Who | who | whom |
Examples:
- I met the officer whom everyone respects. (Object of "respects")
- I met the officer who is posted in Patna. (Subject of "is posted")
- She praised the farmer who everyone says grows the best bajra. (Subject of "grows")
- They spoke to her who is an agriculture scientist. (Subject of "is")
- We met the cooperative head who they say moved to Lucknow. (Subject of "moved")
- She thanked the mentor whom according to her everyone admired. (Object of "admired")
- They went to him who had arranged the irrigation funds. (Subject of "had arranged")
Which vs. Who/Whom
- Which: Used for non-living things (गैर-जीवित वस्तु के लिए)
- Who/Whom: Used for living things (जीवित वस्तु के लिए)
Animals:
- Pet animals: who/whom
- Wild animals: which
When to Use "That"
"That" is used after:
- Superlatives: "The best crop that Punjab produces."
- All, None, Only, Same, Few, Little: "All that glitters is not gold."
- Something, Nothing, Anything: "There's something that I need to tell the officer."
Examples:
- ✅ All that the Ganga carries is not silt.
- ❌ All which the Ganga carries is not silt.
- ✅ This is the same field that was flooded last year.
- ✅ He is the fastest runner that our district has produced.
"Whose" Usage
- Indicates possession
- Typically refers to living things
8. Reciprocal Pronouns
Reciprocal pronouns show mutual action.
Core Logic:
- Each other: Used for 2 people or things.
- One another: Used for more than 2 people or things.
Examples:
- ✅ Ramesh and Suresh helped each other during the harvest. (2 people)
- ✅ All the IBPS aspirants in the coaching supported one another. (>2 people)
- ❌ Ramesh and Suresh helped one another. (Wrong for 2)
- ❌ All aspirants supported each other. (Wrong for >2)
Related Prepositions:
- between: Used for 2 people or things.
- Exception: There is friendship between Radha, Geeta and Sita. (Correct)
- among: Used for more than 2.
- Exception: There is friendship among the three NABARD officers. (Correct)
9. Order of Pronouns
Core Logic: The Courtesy Rule
When "You", "I", and "He" appear together, which comes first? It depends on the "vibe" of the sentence.
- Politeness Rule (Good/Neutral): Others First, Yourself Last. Order: 2-3-1 (You → He/She → I).
- ✅ You, he and I will attend the IBPS orientation.
- Confession Rule (Mistakes/Crimes): Take Responsibility First. Order: 1-2-3 (I → You → He/She).
- ✅ I, you and he made an error in the field report.
Pronoun Person Types
- First: Speaker - I, We (मैं, हम)
- Second: Listener - You (तुम, आप)
- Third: Topic - He, She, It, They (वह, वे)
Order Summary
| Situation | Order | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Positive/Neutral | 2 → 3 → 1 | You, he and I will attend. |
| Mistakes/Crimes | 1 → 2 → 3 | I, you and he made the error. |
Note: When a sentence has a negative tone or implies wrongdoing, the person admitting fault comes first.
More Examples:
- ✅ You and she are responsible for the delay in this project. (Negative tone: 2-3 order)
- ✅ You and I were unable to finalize the crop insurance form. (Neutral tone: 2-1 order)
10. Use of "It" and "One"
Use of "It"
Core Logic: The "Dummy" Subject
"It" is often used as a Dummy Subject when a sentence has no real subject to perform an action (like weather, time, or distance).
- Time/Weather/Distance: We say "It is raining over Bihar" because "Rain" cannot be the subject of itself.
- For Non-Living/Animals/Infants: "It" replaces objects, wild animals, or babies when the gender is unknown.
- Emphasis: Used to point specifically at someone who did something (It was you who...).
"It" can be used as:
- Time: It is 9 o'clock — time for the exam.
- Weather: It is drizzling over the Ganga basin.
- Distance: It is a long way from Patna to Delhi.
- Natural Phenomena: It is blowing hard over the wheat fields.
- Infinitive (Dummy Subject): She finds it difficult to wake up before dawn for farming.
- Gerund: The villagers consider it an honour working with the cooperative society.
- Emphasis: It was you who cleared the NABARD exam first in the district.
- Unknown Gender/Infants: Look at the newborn calf; it is so healthy!
- Non-living things/Wild Animals: Where is the peacock? It flew toward the mango grove.
Note: "It's" = It is / It has. "Its" = Possessive (no apostrophe).
Use of "One"
Core Logic: If you start with "One", stick with "One" (don't switch to "He").
- ❌ One should love his motherland. → ✅ One should love one's motherland.
- ❌ One must believe in himself to clear IBPS. → ✅ One must believe in oneself to clear IBPS.
- ❌ If one has a doubt, they can ask the teacher. → ✅ If one has a doubt, one can ask the teacher.
11. Practice Exercises
Error Spotting Questions
Summary Cheat Sheet
| Concept | Core Logic | Quick Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Subject vs Object | Doer vs Receiver | I/He/She → Doer. Me/Him/Her → Receiver. |
| Possessive | Standalone vs With Noun | My land (Adj) vs. Mine (Pro). No Apostrophes! |
| Order of Pronouns | Politeness | 2-3-1 normally. 1-2-3 for mistakes. |
| Reflexive | Subject = Object | Use "-self" when doer acts on themselves. |
| Who vs Whom | He/Him Test | He → Who. Him → Whom. |
| That Usage | After special words | Superlatives, All/None/Same/Few → That |
| Each/Every | One at a time | Always Singular verb (is/has). |
| Each other vs One another | Count matters | 2 → Each other. >2 → One another. |
| One | Consistency | One → One's/Oneself (not his/himself). |
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