What is pronoun? How to use in English

Discover the meaning of pronoun in English, its pronunciation, and how to use it correctly in real-life situations. See examples and easy memorization tips.

Definition & pronunciation of pronoun

pronounnoun

đại từ

/ˈprəʊnaʊn//ˈprəʊnaʊn/

Where does the word pronoun come from?

The word "pronoun" comes from the Latin word "pronomen," which is a combination of the prefix "pro-" meaning "for" or "on behalf of" and the verb stem "nomen" meaning "to name." Pronouns are words used in place of nouns, such as "he," "she," "it," "his," "her," and "its." The term "pronomen" was introduced in the 16th century by humanist scholars as a way to categorize words that stood in place of nouns as a distinct part of speech. The word "pronoun" eventually entered the English language in the late 18th century, when grammarians began to adopt the Latin terminology for parts of speech. Today, pronouns are an important aspect of grammar and communication, helping us to avoid repetition and clarify relationships between subjects and objects in sentences.

Vocabulary summary pronoun

typenoun

meaning(linguistics) pronoun

examplepersonal pronoun: personal pronoun

exampleimpersonal pronoun

Example of vocabulary pronounnamespace

  • Sarah wanted to study for her exam, but she couldn't concentrate because she was tired. (In this sentence, "she" is a pronoun used to replace Sarah's name.)
  • John applied for a new job, but they (referring to the companydidn't offer him an interview. (In this sentence, "they" is used in place of the company's name.)
  • When I asked Jim who he was meeting for lunch, he replied, "It's just me" (meaning, "I'm meeting myself"). (In this sentence, "me" is a pronoun used to replace the speaker's name.)
  • The teacher didn't let us go home until we had completed our tests. (In this sentence, "us" is a pronoun used in place of the speaker's name and the names of their classmates.)
  • Lisa passed the exam with flying colors, thanks to her hard work and dedication. (In this sentence, "her" is a pronoun used to replace Lisa's name.)

Synonyms and related words for pronoun

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