Study Module: Pronouns (A Complete

Module for Review)

Module Overview
Topic: Pronouns and Their Uses
Level: Secondary to early college review (adaptable)
Estimated Study Time: 2 to 4 hours (depending on activities)
Goal: Master pronouns so you can identify them, use them correctly, and avoid common
errors in speaking and writing.

Learning Targets
By the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. Define pronouns and explain why they are used.

2. Identify the antecedent of a pronoun.

3. Differentiate pronoun types (personal, possessive, reflexive, intensive,

demonstrative, interrogative, relative, indefinite, reciprocal).

4. Use correct pronoun case (subject vs object).

5. Maintain pronoun-antecedent agreement (number, person, clarity).

6. Fix common pronoun errors in sentences and short paragraphs.

7. Write a short paragraph with consistent and clear pronoun usage.

Key Vocabulary
● Pronoun: a word that replaces a noun or noun phrase.

● Antecedent: the noun a pronoun refers to.

● Agreement: matching a pronoun with its antecedent in number and person.

● Case: the form of a pronoun based on its role (subject, object, possessive).

● Reference: what a pronoun points to in meaning.

Pre-Test (Diagnostic Check)

Answer first without checking notes. Then check the answer key at the end of the module.
 1. A pronoun replaces a ________.

2. In “Lia said she was tired,” the antecedent of she is ________.

3. Choose the correct pronoun: “Between you and (I/me), this is secret.”

4. Identify the type: Those are mine.

5. Choose the correct pronoun: “Everyone must bring (their/his or her) notebook.”

6. Choose the correct pronoun: “The student (who/which) called left a message.”

7. Choose the correct pronoun: “He blamed (him/himself).”

8. Choose the correct pronoun: “This bag is (my/mine).”

9. Choose the correct pronoun: “(Who/Whom) did you invite?”

10. What is wrong with this sentence: “When Ana talked to Bea, she was upset.”

Lesson 1: What Are Pronouns?

A. Definition
A pronoun is a word used in place of a noun to avoid repetition and improve flow.

Example

● Repetitive: Jason forgot Jason’s keys.

● Improved: Jason forgot his keys.

B. Why Pronouns Matter

Pronouns help you:

● avoid repeating the same nouns

● connect ideas across sentences

● make writing smoother and clearer

C. Antecedents
An antecedent is the noun that a pronoun refers to.

Example
 ● The teachers said they were ready.
Antecedent: teachers → Pronoun: they

Quick Rule: Pronoun Clarity

A pronoun must point clearly to ONE understandable antecedent.

Unclear

● When Mia texted Ana, she was angry.

Who was angry?

Clear

● When Mia texted Ana, Mia was angry.

Practice 1: Identify the Antecedent

Underline the antecedent and circle the pronoun.

1. Carlo said he would arrive early.

2. The dogs were hungry, so they barked.

3. My phone fell, and it cracked.

4. The students finished their work.

Lesson 2: Personal and Possessive

Pronouns
A. Personal Pronouns
Subject pronouns (do the action)
I, you, he, she, it, we, they

● She sings.

● They run.

Object pronouns (receive the action)

me, you, him, her, it, us, them
 ● The teacher called me.

● We helped them.

Quick Tip (Easy Test)

Remove the other noun.

● “Me and Jay went.” → “Me went” (wrong)

Correct: Jay and I went.

B. Possessive Pronouns
Possessive adjectives (go before a noun)
my, your, his, her, its, our, their

● That is my bag.

Possessive pronouns (stand alone)

mine, yours, his, hers, ours, theirs

● That bag is mine.

Special Note: its vs it’s

● its = possessive: The cat licked its paw.

● it’s = it is / it has: It’s late.

Practice 2: Choose the Correct Pronoun

1. (He/Him) and I are partners.

2. Please give the folder to (she/her).

3. That jacket is (our/ours).

4. The bird hurt (its/it’s) wing.

5. My brother and I saw (they/them) at the mall.

Lesson 3: Reflexive, Intensive, and
Demonstrative Pronouns
A. Reflexive Pronouns
Used when the subject and object are the same.

myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves

● I taught myself to cook.

● She cut herself.

Reflexive must match the subject

● Correct: He hurt himself.

● Wrong: He hurt myself.

B. Intensive Pronouns
Same forms as reflexive, but used for emphasis.

● I myself finished the project.

● The principal herself spoke to us.

Test: Remove it. If the sentence still works, it is intensive.

C. Demonstrative Pronouns
Point to specific things:
this, that, these, those

● This is my seat.

● Those are your shoes.

This/these usually feel “closer” (in space, time, or idea).

That/those usually feel “farther.”

Practice 3: Identify the Pronoun Type

Write R (reflexive), I (intensive), or D (demonstrative).
 1. She baked the cake herself.

2. These are the notes I need.

3. I myself will handle it.

4. They prepared themselves for the exam.

5. That is not mine.

Lesson 4: Interrogative, Relative,

Indefinite, and Reciprocal Pronouns
A. Interrogative Pronouns (Questions)
who, whom, whose, which, what

● Who is calling?

● Which is yours?

Who vs Whom (Simple Method)

● If the answer is he/she/they, use who.

● If the answer is him/her/them, use whom.

Examples:

● Who called? (He called.)

● Whom did you call? (I called him.)

B. Relative Pronouns (Connect Clauses)

who, whom, whose, which, that

● The student who won is my friend.

● The book that I borrowed is great.

● The girl whose bag is red is here.

C. Indefinite Pronouns (Not Specific)

Common examples:

● someone, anyone, everyone, no one

● something, anything, everything, nothing

● each, either, neither

● many, few, several, all, some, none

Agreement Note
Many indefinite pronouns are singular:

● Everyone is here.

● Each has a worksheet.

Some are plural:

● Many are excited.

● Few were absent.

All / some / none depend on what follows:

● All of the water is gone. (water is uncountable)

● All of the students are here. (students is plural)

D. Reciprocal Pronouns (Mutual Action)

each other, one another

● They helped each other.

● The teams respected one another.

Practice 4: Choose the Correct Pronoun

1. (Who/Whom) did you see at the gate?

2. The woman (who/which) called left a message.

3. Everyone (is/are) responsible.

4. All of the cookies (is/are) gone.

 5. The friends supported (each other/themselves).

Lesson 5: Pronoun Agreement, Case,

and Common Errors
A. Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
A pronoun must match its antecedent in:

1. Number (singular/plural)

2. Person (first/second/third)

3. Meaning (clarity)

Wrong

● The team lost their game. (team is singular in many school contexts)

Better (depends on meaning)

● The team lost its game. (team as one unit)

● The team members lost their game. (members is plural)

B. Pronoun Case (Subject vs Object)

Subject: I, he, she, we, they
● He and I studied.

Object: me, him, her, us, them

● The coach called him and me.

Common error

● “between you and I” is usually incorrect

Correct: “between you and me”

C. Common Pronoun Problems (and Fixes)

 1. Unclear pronoun reference

○ Unclear: When Lea spoke to May, she cried.

○ Clear: When Lea spoke to May, May cried.

2. Shifts in person

○ Wrong: If a student studies, you will pass.

○ Better: If a student studies, the student will pass.

○ Or: If you study, you will pass.

3. Reflexive used incorrectly

○ Wrong: Please contact myself.

○ Correct: Please contact me.

Editing Practice: Fix the Pronouns

Rewrite each sentence correctly.

1. Between you and I, the plan failed.

2. When Jen spoke to Mia, she was nervous.

3. Each of the players brought their jersey.

4. Please send the file to myself.

5. The dog wagged it’s tail.

Study Summary (Quick Review Sheet)

Pronoun Types
● Personal: I, you, he, she, it, we, they / me, him, her, us, them

● Possessive: my/mine, your/yours, their/theirs

● Reflexive: myself, themselves (subject = object)

● Intensive: same forms, adds emphasis

● Demonstrative: this, that, these, those

● Interrogative: who, whom, whose, which, what

 ● Relative: who, whom, whose, which, that

● Indefinite: everyone, someone, many, few, all, none

● Reciprocal: each other, one another

Top Rules to Remember

● Pronouns must have a clear antecedent.

● Pronouns must agree in number and person.

● Use subject pronouns for subjects; object pronouns for objects.

● its (possessive) vs it’s (it is).

Post-Test (Summative Assessment)

Choose or rewrite as instructed.

A. Multiple Choice (15 items)

1. The pronoun in “The kids said they were ready” is ________.

2. The antecedent of “they” is ________.

3. Choose: “Give it to (we/us).”

4. Choose: “This is (my/mine).”

5. Choose: “(Who/Whom) did you call?”

6. Identify type: “Those are expensive.”

7. Identify type: “Someone knocked.”

8. Choose: “He hurt (him/himself).”

9. Choose: “The book (who/that) I bought is new.”

10. Choose: “Each of the students (has/have) a seat.”

11. Choose: “The cat licked (its/it’s) paws.”

12. Choose: “Mia and (I/me) went.”

13. Identify type: “The girl whose bag is red is here.”

14. Choose: “Many (was/were) absent.”

 15. Choose: “They helped (each other/themselves).”

B. Sentence Correction (5 items)

16. Between you and I, it is fine.
17. When Kai met Jace, he smiled.
18. Please email myself the form.
19. Everyone brought their pencil. (revise formally)
20. The team celebrated their win. (revise to match singular unit)

Answer Key
Pre-Test
1. noun

2. Lia

3. me

4. demonstrative

5. their (common modern usage) / his or her (more formal)

6. who

7. himself

8. mine

9. whom

10. unclear reference (she could be Ana or Bea)

Practice 2
1. He

2. her

3. ours

4. its

5. them

Practice 3
 1. R

2. D

3. I

4. R

5. D

Practice 4
1. Whom

2. who

3. is

4. are

5. each other

Editing Practice
1. Between you and me, the plan failed.

2. (Answers vary) Example: When Jen spoke to Mia, Jen was nervous.

3. Each of the players brought his or her jersey. (formal) OR “All players brought their
jerseys.”

4. Please send the file to me.

5. The dog wagged its tail.

Post-Test (Suggested Answers)

1. they

2. kids

3. us

4. mine

5. whom

6. demonstrative
 7. indefinite

8. himself

9. that

10. has

11. its

12. I

13. relative

14. were

15. each other

16. Between you and me, it is fine.

17. (clarify) When Kai met Jace, Kai smiled.

18. Please email me the form.

19. Everyone brought his or her pencil. (formal)

20. The team celebrated its win. (team as one unit)

Optional Enrichment (If You Want More Practice)

1. Write a 7 to 10 sentence paragraph about your day. Use at least:

○ 3 personal pronouns

○ 2 possessive pronouns

○ 1 relative pronoun

○ 1 indefinite pronoun

2. Then highlight each pronoun and label its type.