Distributive Pronouns: Definition of Distributive Pronouns

Distributive Pronouns

Those pronouns, which refer to one person or thing at a time, are called distributive pronouns. There are three distributive pronouns in English: each, either and neither. They are always singular and followed by a singular verb. Look at the following sentences, wherein the highlighted words are distributive pronouns:

• Each of the girls passed the test.
• Neither of the student was present.
• Either of them can participate in the contest.

Like other pronouns, distributive pronouns are used with verbs. When they are used with nouns, then they function as distributive adjectives. For example, the following sentences indicate that each, either and neither are sued as distributive adjectives:

• Each patient had to undergo an operation.
• You can park your car at either side of the road.
• Neither the boys nor the girls were available.

The underlined words in the above sentences are nouns.

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Indefinite Pronouns: Definition of Indefinite Pronoun with Examples

Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronoun is a kind of pronoun that refers to general things. The word indefinite implies something undefined and vague. That’s why; it is called indefinite pronoun. It is used to refer to objects in a general way and is not used to refer to specific and particular things. Some of the indefinite pronouns are given below: 

One: One means a person. Anyone can be a person.

• One hardly feels the pangs of others.
• One should never shirk one’s

 None: None means no one.

• None of his poems is interesting.
• None of them is intelligent.

All: All means people, persons or objects in whole.

• All escaped narrowly.
• All were present in the class.

 Some: Some means a certain amount of something. 

• Some are born great.
• Some of them were really fools. 

Few: It means not many people, things or places. 

• Few can accept the offer of the boss.
• Few of them were aware of her death. 

Everyone: It means all people or every person. 

• Everyone wanted to visit London.
• Everyone was happy with him. 

Somebody: Somebody means some persons or people. 

• Somebody must attend the party on my behalf.
• Somebody gave me a cup of tea. 

Anybody or Anyone: It means any person. 

• Anybody can inspect our factory.
• Anybody can visit the office of the Prime Minister. 

Nobody: Nobody means no one. 

• Nobody can face him.
• Nobody was at the office of the Executive Magistrate. 

They: It means people in general. 

• They say that the meeting has been postponed.
• They say some of the politicians have decided to take sides with the government. 

P.S: It should be kept in mind that the above-mentioned words are used only with verbs. That’s why; they are indefinite pronouns. In case they are used with nouns, they function as indefinite adjectives. For example, in the following sentences, the italic words are indefinite adjectives, while the underlined words are nouns: 

• Many boys protested against the new rules.
• Some books should be read with keen interest.
• Few people know how to operate the fax machine.

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Pronouns: Definition of Pronouns

Definition of Pronouns

The word pronoun derives from the Latin word pronomen meaning something in place of a name. Thus, we can define pronoun as, “a word used instead of a noun.” Look at the following sentences, wherein, He, She, It, I, We, You and They are pronouns:

1. He will depart for Lahore today.
2. She will sing a song.
3. It is raining.
4. I will arrange a tea party for my teacher.
5. We have won the match.
6. You should work hard.
7. They are playing cricket.

The above-mentioned pronouns are also called personal pronouns. Personal pronouns are those pronouns, which are particularly used in place of names of persons. That's why; they are called personal pronouns.

Forms of Pronouns

There are three forms of pronouns: First Person Pronouns, Second Person Pronouns and Third Person Pronouns. Look at the following table, wherein all the pronouns have been shown:

The nominative pronouns are the pronouns which are used as subjects of the verbs. They are also called subject pronouns. For example, in He is driving a car the pronoun he functions as subject of the sentence. That’s why; it is called a subject pronoun. Similarly, in They are working hard the pronoun they is a subject pronoun.

Accusative pronouns are the pronouns which are used as objects of the verbs. They are also called object pronouns. For example, in She is writing a letter the pronoun letter is an object pronoun as it functions as object of the verb writing. Similarly, in We will visit London tomorrow the pronoun London is an object pronoun.

Possessive pronouns are the pronouns which show possession of the noun. For example, in It is his book the pronoun his is a possessive pronoun.

 

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Nominative, Accusative and Possessive Cases

Nominative Case

When a noun or pronoun is used as a subject of the verb, it is said to be in nominative case or subjective case. Such pronouns or nouns serve as subjects of the verb, that’s why; they are called nominative pronouns. To identify the nominative, use the words WHO? or WHAT? For example, in the following sentences, the pronouns Ahmad, She, We and They have been used as subjects of the verbs:

1. Ahmad wrote him a letter.
2. She is riding a bicycle.
3. We are watching a movie.
4. They have won the match.

Accusative Case

When a noun or pronoun is used as object of the verb, then, such a noun or pronoun is said to be in accusative case. A noun in such a position is also called objective pronoun. To find out the accusative case or the objective pronoun, just ask the questions WHOM? or WHAT? For example, in the following sentences, the words novels, cricket, teachers and books are all in accusative or objective case.

1. Saleem has written many novels.
2. We are playing cricket.
3. They thanked their teachers.
4. We bought many books.

Accusative case is also called objective case on account of its function as object of the verb.

Possessive Case

Possessive case is also called genitive case. It is a form of noun, which shows ownership or possession of the pronoun. The possessive pronoun answers the question WHOSE? For example, in the following sentences, the nouns Ahmad’s, Adela’s, Butcher’s and Philip’s are all in possessive case:

1. This is Ahmad’s book.
2. Adela’s purse is lying on the table.
3. You must go to the butcher’s shop.
4. Philip’s car collided with a truck.

How to Form Possessive Nouns

Usually, the possessive nouns are made in the following ways:

1. If a noun does not end on letter s, add ‘s to it. For example, Joe’s book, King’s thrown, men’s clothes.
2. If a noun ends on letter s, add only apostrophe and omit the letter s. For example, girls’ books, boys’ pants, Keats’ poems, Dickens’ novels.

Look at the following table, wherein the nominative, accusative and possessive pronouns have been shown:

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Nouns: Gender of Nouns

Gender of Nouns

The word gender derives from the Latin word genus, meaning kind or sort. It indicates as to whether the noun in question is a masculine or a feminine. We know that all living organisms have got either masculine gender or feminine gender. Similarly, words are also divided into masculine, feminine, common and neuter genders. It should be kept in mind that the gender of a noun doesn’t mean that a masculine or female noun is physically having male or female sex respectively. It is just in grammar that we call some nouns as feminine and others as masculine.

The gender of a noun helps you use appropriate pronouns for nouns. For example, in the following sentence, the word moon is a feminine noun:

 The moon was concealing her face behind the clouds.

If you don’t know about the gender of the word moon, then you will certainly use incorrect pronoun for it. The word moon is a feminine noun. That’s why; the pronoun her is used here instead of it. It is very difficult to determine the gender of nouns on account of having no clear-cut rules. You should look up the word in a dictionary to know about its gender.

Masculine Nouns

Masculine nouns are those nouns which indicate masculine things i.e., persons, places and animals, are called masculine nouns. For example, boy, brother, buck, bull, colt, dog, gentleman are all masculine nouns. Masculine gender is used for things having strength, prowess, violence and power. For example, Sun, Summer, Death, Winter etc.

Feminine Nouns

Nouns that denote feminine things or female sex are called feminine nouns. For example, girl, sister, mother, doe, cow, hen, country, and moon are all feminine nouns. Feminine gender is used for things having beauty and grace. For example, the words Moon, Earth, Autumn, Spring are feminine nouns.

Common Gender

Nouns that show either a male or a female gender are said to have got common gender.  Such like nouns are either male or female. For example, parent, baby, friend, pupil, enemy, cousin, orphan are of common gender. The word parent can be female as well as male.

Neuter Gender

Nouns that denote things, which are neither male nor female are said to have got neuter gender. Such like nouns have no masculine or feminine sex. For example, mango, tree, pen, book, laptop, table and chair are having neuter gender.

How to Form Feminine Nouns

There are many masculine nouns which have got entirely different feminine words. For example, Brother, Sister; Father, Mother; Son, Daughter; Buck, Doe; Horse, Mare etc.  

Feminine nouns can be formed by adding suffix like –ess to the masculine noun. For example: Baron, Baroness; Count, Countess; Heir, Heiress; Jew, Jewess; Lion, Lioness etc.

Feminine noun can also be formed by adding a word to the masculine nouns. For example: Grandfather, Grandmother; Stepbrother, Stepsister; Milkman, Milkwoman; Grandson, Granddaughter; Great-uncle, Great-aunt etc.

 

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