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๐ Content updated on 21 April 2026
๐ Pronouns – Types & Usage – Quick Summary:
A pronoun is a word used in place of a noun to avoid repetition. Types include personal (I, you, he), possessive (mine, yours), reflexive (myself), demonstrative (this, those), interrogative (who, which), relative (who, that), and indefinite (someone, anybody).
๐ง๐ซ Instructions for Teachers & Students: Read each sentence and identify the type of pronoun or choose the correct pronoun to complete it. Then click “Show Answer” for a clear explanation and a fresh example.
๐ง๐ซ Instructions for Teachers & Students: Read each sentence and identify the type of pronoun or choose the correct pronoun to complete it. Then click “Show Answer” for a clear explanation and a fresh example.
In this worksheet:
(Click any topic to jump straight to that section)
Pronouns replace nouns and make our sentences flow smoothly. For a deeper understanding, visit the
Nouns and Pronouns hub.
You can also explore related practice in the
Subject-Verb Agreement worksheet
to see how pronouns and verbs work together.
✅ Solved Examples (20 Questions with Answers)
Study these to understand the different types of pronouns and how they are used.
Solved Q.1
Identify the pronoun type: "She is my best friend."
Show Answer
Answer: Personal pronoun (subject)
Explanation: 'She' refers to a specific female person and acts as the subject of the sentence. Personal pronouns change form depending on person, number, gender, and case.
Example: He is reading a book.
Explanation: 'She' refers to a specific female person and acts as the subject of the sentence. Personal pronouns change form depending on person, number, gender, and case.
Example: He is reading a book.
Solved Q.2
"This pen is mine." What type of pronoun is 'mine'?
Show Answer
Answer: Possessive pronoun
Explanation: 'Mine' shows ownership and stands alone without a following noun. Compare with possessive adjective 'my' (my pen). Possessive pronouns: mine, yours, his, hers, ours, theirs.
Example: That bag is hers.
Explanation: 'Mine' shows ownership and stands alone without a following noun. Compare with possessive adjective 'my' (my pen). Possessive pronouns: mine, yours, his, hers, ours, theirs.
Example: That bag is hers.
Solved Q.3
"I made this cake myself." Type of pronoun?
Show Answer
Answer: Reflexive pronoun
Explanation: 'Myself' refers back to the subject 'I'. Reflexive pronouns end in -self or -selves and are used when the subject and object are the same person.
Example: She taught herself to play the guitar.
Explanation: 'Myself' refers back to the subject 'I'. Reflexive pronouns end in -self or -selves and are used when the subject and object are the same person.
Example: She taught herself to play the guitar.
Solved Q.4
"Who is knocking at the door?" Pronoun type?
Show Answer
Answer: Interrogative pronoun
Explanation: 'Who' is used to ask a question about a person. Interrogative pronouns include who, whom, whose, which, what.
Example: What is your name?
Explanation: 'Who' is used to ask a question about a person. Interrogative pronouns include who, whom, whose, which, what.
Example: What is your name?
Solved Q.5
"Those are beautiful flowers." Type of pronoun?
Show Answer
Answer: Demonstrative pronoun
Explanation: 'Those' points to specific flowers that are farther away. Demonstrative pronouns: this, that, these, those. They stand alone without a noun.
Example: This is my favourite song.
Explanation: 'Those' points to specific flowers that are farther away. Demonstrative pronouns: this, that, these, those. They stand alone without a noun.
Example: This is my favourite song.
Solved Q.6
"The boy who won the race is my brother." Pronoun type?
Show Answer
Answer: Relative pronoun
Explanation: 'Who' connects the clause 'won the race' to the noun 'boy'. Relative pronouns include who, whom, whose, which, that.
Example: The book that I borrowed was interesting.
Explanation: 'Who' connects the clause 'won the race' to the noun 'boy'. Relative pronouns include who, whom, whose, which, that.
Example: The book that I borrowed was interesting.
Solved Q.7
"Everyone enjoyed the party." Type of pronoun?
Show Answer
Answer: Indefinite pronoun
Explanation: 'Everyone' refers to people in general, without specifying exactly who. Indefinite pronouns include someone, anybody, nothing, all, many, few, etc.
Example: Somebody left their umbrella here.
Explanation: 'Everyone' refers to people in general, without specifying exactly who. Indefinite pronouns include someone, anybody, nothing, all, many, few, etc.
Example: Somebody left their umbrella here.
Solved Q.8
"They blamed themselves for the mistake." Pronoun type?
Show Answer
Answer: Reflexive pronoun
Explanation: 'Themselves' reflects the action back to the subject 'They'. It's the plural reflexive form.
Example: The children dressed themselves.
Explanation: 'Themselves' reflects the action back to the subject 'They'. It's the plural reflexive form.
Example: The children dressed themselves.
Solved Q.9
"Whose is this jacket?" Pronoun type?
Show Answer
Answer: Interrogative pronoun (possessive)
Explanation: 'Whose' asks about ownership. It's the possessive form of 'who'.
Example: Whose turn is it?
Explanation: 'Whose' asks about ownership. It's the possessive form of 'who'.
Example: Whose turn is it?
Solved Q.10
"I gave him the letter." Case of the pronoun 'him'?
Show Answer
Answer: Objective case (personal pronoun)
Explanation: 'Him' is the object of the verb 'gave'. Personal pronouns change form: subject (I, he, she) vs object (me, him, her).
Example: She called us yesterday.
Explanation: 'Him' is the object of the verb 'gave'. Personal pronouns change form: subject (I, he, she) vs object (me, him, her).
Example: She called us yesterday.
Solved Q.11
"That is the house that I grew up in." Types of 'that'?
Show Answer
Answer: First 'That' demonstrative; second 'that' relative
Explanation: First 'That' points to a specific house (demonstrative). Second 'that' introduces the relative clause describing the house.
Example: This is the pen that I lost.
Explanation: First 'That' points to a specific house (demonstrative). Second 'that' introduces the relative clause describing the house.
Example: This is the pen that I lost.
Solved Q.12
"None of the answers were correct." Type of pronoun?
Show Answer
Answer: Indefinite pronoun
Explanation: 'None' means not one or not any. It's an indefinite pronoun referring to an unspecified amount.
Example: Many were invited but few came.
Explanation: 'None' means not one or not any. It's an indefinite pronoun referring to an unspecified amount.
Example: Many were invited but few came.
Solved Q.13
"You and I should go together." Why 'I' and not 'me'?
Show Answer
Answer: 'I' is the subject form
Explanation: 'You and I' together form the compound subject of the verb 'should go'. Subject pronouns (I, he, she, we, they) are used before the verb.
Example: He and she are siblings.
Explanation: 'You and I' together form the compound subject of the verb 'should go'. Subject pronouns (I, he, she, we, they) are used before the verb.
Example: He and she are siblings.
Solved Q.14
"The car itself is not expensive." Pronoun type?
Show Answer
Answer: Emphatic pronoun
Explanation: 'Itself' emphasizes the noun 'car'. Emphatic pronouns have the same form as reflexive pronouns but are used for emphasis, not to reflect action.
Example: The President himself attended the meeting.
Explanation: 'Itself' emphasizes the noun 'car'. Emphatic pronouns have the same form as reflexive pronouns but are used for emphasis, not to reflect action.
Example: The President himself attended the meeting.
Solved Q.15
"Whom did you invite?" Why 'whom' and not 'who'?
Show Answer
Answer: 'Whom' is the object form
Explanation: 'Whom' is the object of the verb 'invite' (you invited whom?). 'Who' is used for subjects. In formal English, 'whom' is correct here.
Example: To whom should I address this letter?
Explanation: 'Whom' is the object of the verb 'invite' (you invited whom?). 'Who' is used for subjects. In formal English, 'whom' is correct here.
Example: To whom should I address this letter?
Solved Q.16
"Ours is the blue house at the corner." Type of pronoun?
Show Answer
Answer: Possessive pronoun
Explanation: 'Ours' replaces 'our house' and stands alone. Possessive pronouns: mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, theirs.
Example: That seat is yours.
Explanation: 'Ours' replaces 'our house' and stands alone. Possessive pronouns: mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, theirs.
Example: That seat is yours.
Solved Q.17
"Each of the students has a book." Type of pronoun?
Show Answer
Answer: Distributive pronoun
Explanation: 'Each' refers to every single member of a group considered individually. Distributive pronouns include each, either, neither.
Example: Either of the options is fine.
Explanation: 'Each' refers to every single member of a group considered individually. Distributive pronouns include each, either, neither.
Example: Either of the options is fine.
Solved Q.18
"I met a girl whose brother is a pilot." Type of pronoun?
Show Answer
Answer: Relative pronoun (possessive)
Explanation: 'Whose' connects the relative clause and shows possession (the brother belongs to the girl).
Example: The author whose book I read is visiting.
Explanation: 'Whose' connects the relative clause and shows possession (the brother belongs to the girl).
Example: The author whose book I read is visiting.
Solved Q.19
"It is raining heavily." What does 'it' refer to?
Show Answer
Answer: Impersonal pronoun
Explanation: 'It' here does not refer to a specific thing; it's used as an impersonal pronoun to talk about weather, time, or distance.
Example: It is five o'clock.
Explanation: 'It' here does not refer to a specific thing; it's used as an impersonal pronoun to talk about weather, time, or distance.
Example: It is five o'clock.
Solved Q.20
"They helped one another during the crisis." Type of pronoun?
Show Answer
Answer: Reciprocal pronoun
Explanation: 'One another' indicates a mutual action or relationship between more than two people. 'Each other' is used for two people.
Example: The two friends hugged each other.
Explanation: 'One another' indicates a mutual action or relationship between more than two people. 'Each other' is used for two people.
Example: The two friends hugged each other.
Hindi pronouns (เคธเคฐ्เคตเคจाเคฎ) follow similar categories. Explore more at the
Sarvanam (Pronouns) Hub.
You might also find the
Subject-Verb Agreement worksheet
helpful to understand how pronouns match with verbs.
✏️ Practice Questions (20 Questions with Answers)
Now try these. Identify the pronoun type or choose the correct pronoun.
Practice Q.1
"We enjoyed ourselves at the picnic." Type of pronoun?
Show Answer
Answer: Reflexive pronoun
Explanation: 'Ourselves' refers back to the subject 'We'.
Example: We painted the fence ourselves.
Explanation: 'Ourselves' refers back to the subject 'We'.
Example: We painted the fence ourselves.
Practice Q.2
"Someone is knocking at the door." Pronoun type?
Show Answer
Answer: Indefinite pronoun
Explanation: 'Someone' refers to an unknown person.
Example: Nobody knew the answer.
Explanation: 'Someone' refers to an unknown person.
Example: Nobody knew the answer.
Practice Q.3
"This is the artist whose painting won." Pronoun type?
Show Answer
Answer: Relative pronoun
Explanation: 'Whose' connects and shows possession.
Example: The girl whose bag was lost is crying.
Explanation: 'Whose' connects and shows possession.
Example: The girl whose bag was lost is crying.
Practice Q.4
"The manager himself approved the request." Type?
Show Answer
Answer: Emphatic pronoun
Explanation: 'Himself' emphasizes the manager.
Example: She herself baked the cake.
Explanation: 'Himself' emphasizes the manager.
Example: She herself baked the cake.
Practice Q.5
"Which of these books is yours?" Pronoun type?
Show Answer
Answer: Interrogative pronoun
Explanation: 'Which' asks a question about a specific set.
Example: What would you like to eat?
Explanation: 'Which' asks a question about a specific set.
Example: What would you like to eat?
Practice Q.6
"The two brothers love each other." Pronoun type?
Show Answer
Answer: Reciprocal pronoun
Explanation: 'Each other' shows mutual action between two.
Example: The team members trust one another.
Explanation: 'Each other' shows mutual action between two.
Example: The team members trust one another.
Practice Q.7
"Please give this to her." Case of 'her'?
Show Answer
Answer: Objective case
Explanation: 'Her' is the object of the preposition 'to'.
Example: I saw him at the market.
Explanation: 'Her' is the object of the preposition 'to'.
Example: I saw him at the market.
Practice Q.8
"That was a brilliant idea." Pronoun type?
Show Answer
Answer: Demonstrative pronoun
Explanation: 'That' points to a specific idea.
Example: These are delicious cookies.
Explanation: 'That' points to a specific idea.
Example: These are delicious cookies.
Practice Q.9
"My car is older than yours." Type?
Show Answer
Answer: Possessive pronoun
Explanation: 'Yours' stands for 'your car'.
Example: This seat is mine.
Explanation: 'Yours' stands for 'your car'.
Example: This seat is mine.
Practice Q.10
"All were present at the meeting." Pronoun type?
Show Answer
Answer: Indefinite pronoun
Explanation: 'All' refers to everyone without specifying individuals.
Example: Many were invited but few attended.
Explanation: 'All' refers to everyone without specifying individuals.
Example: Many were invited but few attended.
Practice Q.11
"The woman who called didn't leave a message." Type?
Show Answer
Answer: Relative pronoun
Explanation: 'Who' introduces the clause describing 'woman'.
Example: The book which I read was excellent.
Explanation: 'Who' introduces the clause describing 'woman'.
Example: The book which I read was excellent.
Practice Q.12
"Either of the roads leads to the station." Type?
Show Answer
Answer: Distributive pronoun
Explanation: 'Either' refers to one of two options.
Example: Neither of the answers is correct.
Explanation: 'Either' refers to one of two options.
Example: Neither of the answers is correct.
Practice Q.13
"I bought myself a new book." Type?
Show Answer
Answer: Reflexive pronoun
Explanation: 'Myself' indicates the action comes back to the subject.
Example: He cut himself while shaving.
Explanation: 'Myself' indicates the action comes back to the subject.
Example: He cut himself while shaving.
Practice Q.14
"It was a dark and stormy night." Type?
Show Answer
Answer: Impersonal pronoun
Explanation: 'It' is used as a placeholder subject for weather/time.
Example: It is getting late.
Explanation: 'It' is used as a placeholder subject for weather/time.
Example: It is getting late.
Practice Q.15
"Whom should I contact for help?" Why 'whom'?
Show Answer
Answer: 'Whom' is object of 'contact'
Explanation: The answer would be 'contact him', not 'contact he'. So object form 'whom' is used.
Example: Whom did you see at the party?
Explanation: The answer would be 'contact him', not 'contact he'. So object form 'whom' is used.
Example: Whom did you see at the party?
Practice Q.16
"She and I are going to the market." Why 'I'?
Show Answer
Answer: Subject pronoun
Explanation: 'She and I' is the compound subject of 'are going'. Subject form required.
Example: He and she won the prize.
Explanation: 'She and I' is the compound subject of 'are going'. Subject form required.
Example: He and she won the prize.
Practice Q.17
"These are the best days of our lives." Pronoun type?
Show Answer
Answer: Demonstrative pronoun
Explanation: 'These' points to specific days (near in time).
Example: Those were memorable times.
Explanation: 'These' points to specific days (near in time).
Example: Those were memorable times.
Practice Q.18
"Everyone must submit their homework." Type?
Show Answer
Answer: Indefinite; possessive adjective
Explanation: 'Everyone' is indefinite pronoun; 'their' is possessive adjective (modifies 'homework'). Note: singular 'everyone' often paired with plural 'their' for gender neutrality.
Example: Somebody left their bag behind.
Explanation: 'Everyone' is indefinite pronoun; 'their' is possessive adjective (modifies 'homework'). Note: singular 'everyone' often paired with plural 'their' for gender neutrality.
Example: Somebody left their bag behind.
Practice Q.19
"The cat licked its paw." 'Its' is what?
Show Answer
Answer: Possessive adjective
Explanation: 'Its' shows possession and comes before a noun. The possessive pronoun form is 'its' (rarely used alone).
Example: The company changed its policy.
Explanation: 'Its' shows possession and comes before a noun. The possessive pronoun form is 'its' (rarely used alone).
Example: The company changed its policy.
Practice Q.20
"We did it ourselves." Pronoun type?
Show Answer
Answer: Emphatic or reflexive? Here emphatic
Explanation: 'Ourselves' emphasizes that we did it without help. Could also be seen as reflexive if meaning 'we did it to ourselves', but context suggests emphasis.
Example: The children made the decorations themselves.
Explanation: 'Ourselves' emphasizes that we did it without help. Could also be seen as reflexive if meaning 'we did it to ourselves', but context suggests emphasis.
Example: The children made the decorations themselves.
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๐ Challenge Questions (10 Questions with Answers)
Test your deeper understanding of pronouns with these tricky ones.
Challenge Q.1
"The committee members argued among themselves for hours." Pronoun type and why?
Show Answer
Answer: Reflexive pronoun (or reciprocal in effect)
Explanation: 'Themselves' refers back to 'members'. It can imply mutual action (like 'one another') but grammatically it's reflexive because the subject acts upon itself as a group.
Example: The students talked among themselves.
Explanation: 'Themselves' refers back to 'members'. It can imply mutual action (like 'one another') but grammatically it's reflexive because the subject acts upon itself as a group.
Example: The students talked among themselves.
Challenge Q.2
"Such was his determination that he succeeded." What type of pronoun is 'such'?
Show Answer
Answer: Demonstrative pronoun
Explanation: 'Such' refers to a type or degree previously mentioned or implied. It acts like a demonstrative pronoun meaning 'this kind of'.
Example: Such are the rules of the game.
Explanation: 'Such' refers to a type or degree previously mentioned or implied. It acts like a demonstrative pronoun meaning 'this kind of'.
Example: Such are the rules of the game.
Challenge Q.3
"This is the man whom I believe to be honest." Why 'whom' and not 'who'?
Show Answer
Answer: 'Whom' is object of 'believe'
Explanation: In the clause 'I believe [him] to be honest', 'whom' replaces 'him'. It's the object of 'believe', so objective case 'whom' is correct.
Example: She is someone whom we can trust.
Explanation: In the clause 'I believe [him] to be honest', 'whom' replaces 'him'. It's the object of 'believe', so objective case 'whom' is correct.
Example: She is someone whom we can trust.
Challenge Q.4
"One should always be true to oneself." Types of 'one' and 'oneself'?
Show Answer
Answer: Indefinite personal pronoun; reflexive pronoun
Explanation: 'One' is used impersonally for people in general. 'Oneself' is its reflexive form.
Example: One must take care of oneself.
Explanation: 'One' is used impersonally for people in general. 'Oneself' is its reflexive form.
Example: One must take care of oneself.
Challenge Q.5
"I want whoever is responsible to be punished." Type of pronoun?
Show Answer
Answer: Compound relative pronoun
Explanation: 'Whoever' combines a relative pronoun with an indefinite sense ('anyone who'). It introduces a noun clause.
Example: Give it to whomever you like.
Explanation: 'Whoever' combines a relative pronoun with an indefinite sense ('anyone who'). It introduces a noun clause.
Example: Give it to whomever you like.
Challenge Q.6
"The car that I bought is red." Could 'which' be used instead? Explain.
Show Answer
Answer: Yes, 'which' can replace 'that' for things in restrictive clauses, though 'that' is often preferred. Both are relative pronouns.
Explanation: 'That' and 'which' are often interchangeable in defining relative clauses, but 'that' is more common in everyday English for restrictive clauses.
Example: The book which you lent me was fascinating.
Explanation: 'That' and 'which' are often interchangeable in defining relative clauses, but 'that' is more common in everyday English for restrictive clauses.
Example: The book which you lent me was fascinating.
Challenge Q.7
"Many a man has tried and failed." What is the pronoun 'many' here?
Show Answer
Answer: Indefinite pronoun (distributive sense)
Explanation: 'Many a' is an idiomatic construction meaning 'many' but taking a singular verb. 'Many' is an indefinite pronoun expressing a large number individually.
Example: Many a student has faced this problem.
Explanation: 'Many a' is an idiomatic construction meaning 'many' but taking a singular verb. 'Many' is an indefinite pronoun expressing a large number individually.
Example: Many a student has faced this problem.
Challenge Q.8
"You yourself are to blame." What is the function of 'yourself'?
Show Answer
Answer: Emphatic pronoun
Explanation: 'Yourself' emphasizes 'you' and can be removed without changing the grammatical structure. It's emphatic, not reflexive (no action reflected).
Example: I myself saw it happen.
Explanation: 'Yourself' emphasizes 'you' and can be removed without changing the grammatical structure. It's emphatic, not reflexive (no action reflected).
Example: I myself saw it happen.
Challenge Q.9
"They gave each other gifts." Identify pronoun and its case if any.
Show Answer
Answer: Reciprocal pronoun; objective case
Explanation: 'Each other' functions as the indirect object of 'gave'. It's a reciprocal pronoun showing mutual exchange.
Example: The friends sent one another messages.
Explanation: 'Each other' functions as the indirect object of 'gave'. It's a reciprocal pronoun showing mutual exchange.
Example: The friends sent one another messages.
Challenge Q.10
"What with the rain and the traffic, we were late." Type of 'what'?
Show Answer
Answer: Interrogative pronoun used in an exclamation
Explanation: 'What' introduces an exclamatory phrase meaning 'because of'. It's derived from interrogative use but functions idiomatically.
Example: What with all the noise, I couldn't concentrate.
Explanation: 'What' introduces an exclamatory phrase meaning 'because of'. It's derived from interrogative use but functions idiomatically.
Example: What with all the noise, I couldn't concentrate.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Quick answers about pronouns.
FAQ 1
What is a pronoun?
Show Answer
Answer: A pronoun is a word used instead of a noun to avoid repetition. Examples: I, you, he, she, it, we, they, mine, who, this, someone.
FAQ 2
What are the main types of pronouns?
Show Answer
Answer: Personal (I, me), Possessive (mine, yours), Reflexive (myself), Demonstrative (this, those), Interrogative (who, which), Relative (who, that), Indefinite (someone, anything), Distributive (each, either), Reciprocal (each other).
FAQ 3
When do I use 'who' vs 'whom'?
Show Answer
Answer: Use 'who' as the subject of a verb (Who is there?). Use 'whom' as the object of a verb or preposition (Whom did you see? To whom it may concern).
FAQ 4
What is the difference between reflexive and emphatic pronouns?
Show Answer
Answer: Reflexive pronouns are necessary and reflect the action back to the subject (I hurt myself). Emphatic pronouns just add emphasis and can be removed (I myself did it).
FAQ 5
Can 'they' be used as a singular pronoun?
Show Answer
Answer: Yes, 'they' is widely accepted as a singular gender-neutral pronoun when gender is unknown or unspecified (Someone left their bag).
