personal pronouns autobiography

Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer.

To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to  upgrade your browser .

Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link.

• We're Hiring!
• Help Center

Depiction of Self & Others: A Corpus-Based Study of Personal Pronouns in Autobiographies

The impacts of feminist thinking can be traced on various subfields in linguistics and hence gave birth to new paradigms and approaches such as feminist pragmatics, feminist conversation analysis, feminist critical discourse analysis (FCDA), feminist sociolinguistics, and feminist post-structuralist discourse analysis (Edward & Milani, 2014). The feminists view language as an instrument to exercise power and coercion. Therefore, linguistic analysis with feminist approach, considering sociocultural factors, is produced in order to highlight the underlying mechanisms of the discourses to represent the powerful and oppressed groups. Similarly, feminist critical discourse analysis (FCDA) puts emphasis particularly on the ‘discourses which sustain a patriarchal social order: that is, relations of power that systematically privilege men as a social group and the disadvantage to excl ude and disempower women as a social group’ (Lazar 2005, p.5). Burck (2011) states that language not only s...

Related Papers

University of Chitral Journal of Linguistics and Literature

Editor, University of Chitral Journal of Linguistics and Literature

This present research analyses Benazir Bhutto's Daughter of the East (1989) and Fatima Bhutto's Songs of blood and sword: A daughter's memoir (2011) to explore how Pakistani women, belonging to elite political families, are politically conscious while engaging their fathers' stories in their autobiographies. The autobiographies share specific characteristics: both the narrators belong to the same Bhutto family, and their self-narratives are predominantly father clear; both texts are written after their fathers' political assassination, and the narrators have tried to defend their father's political vulnerable image; the word "daughter" in each of the subtitles emphasizes the idea of filiation. The narrators reflect their political consciousness by defending and praising their fathers' political actions and elaborate on how national politics' political implications have affected their personal and political familial lives. Highlighting the importance of political education, Benazir distrusts outdated politics of compromises and narrates that the political profession requires sacrifices. Being a politician, one has to compromise even with the murderers of one's (her) father. Benazir condemns patriarchy and mentions that daughters can inherit their father's political legacy like sons. Meanwhile, Fatima criticizes Benazir that she is the usurper of her father's political legacy and does not follow her political principles. Fatima's self-narrative challenges Benazir's political claims made in her autobiography. Both the narrators look gendersensitive and condemn patriarchy even though both of them try to defend their fathers. Benazir and Fatima discuss their personal and private matters publicly for political reasons, as manifested through the text.

Workshop Paper

Zakir Hussain Zakir

Academic inquiry into the phenomenon of nation-building has found that such undertakings become more fruitful when emphasis is placed on the seeking ‘unity in diversity’, rather than on assimilation and amalgamation which create discord and disaffection, particularly among cultural minorities (Bass 2008; Nieto 1992). The ‘unity in diversity’ can be established through respecting and promoting the cultural expressions. In the face of top-down nation-building efforts that aim to assimilate and homogenize, folklores can act as cultural mirrors, having evolved in the specific socio-cultural contexts in which cultural minorities attempt to (re)establish a sense of self and identity. The subtleties of cultural expression are best reflected in folklore. A deeper understanding of the classic folklore of any culture means a more nuanced understanding of a given socio-cultural milieu. Preservation and promotion of intangible cultural heritage can contribute in enhancing trust with fellow citizens from outside of a minority group, who can grow to respect and appreciate these cultural assets (Zakir 2015). ‘Baltistan’ refers to the geographical region surrounded by the Karakoram and Himalayan mountains in the northern part of Pakistan bordering with India and China. People in this region across the Indo-Pak border speak the same language, Balti, with minor differences of the dialect. Using a single language, all Baltis share the same unique cultural traditions inherited and transmitted through Balti language, however in Baltistan the Balti language has been heavily impacted by several decades of Pakistani rule. Balti folklore including folksongs particularly the brand of ‘rgiang khulu’ is considered a treasure trove of cultural meanings by the elderly Balti singers who continue to be devoted to its preservation. The several centuries-old history of Balti culture is rich with feminist literature in the form of classical folksongs by women. However, contemporary Balti poetry by women has been silenced to such an extent that it has become something of a taboo for women to compose poetry or sing (romantic) songs. The term ‘khulu’ denotes all kinds of poetry in the Balti language and types of ‘khulu’ are differentiated with prefixes. When varieties of religious poetry were ascribed Persian and Arabic names in Baltistan, the word ‘khulu’ became specific to non-religious, non-political, secular brands of poetry in the Balti language. The production and preservation of khulu is now facing severe challenges from the growing orthodox religiosity in Baltistan. This paper explores the potential challenges and opportunities for the revival of classic Balti folksongs composed by women, by examining the gender discourse in Pakistan at the national level with a specific lens focused on literary expressions. Presenting a comparative ‘narrative analysis’ of the classical Balti folk songs rgiang khulu composed by women and an example of a contemporary Urdu poetry by female poets of Baltistan, allows for a grasp of the sense of liberty and its suffocation then and now in the history regarding feminist literature in Baltistan.

Maria Isabel Maldonado Garcia

ramaiah R raghu

Dr Shazia Dar

Textbooks act as an embodiment of education policy and carry great significance in classroom teaching. The content of these discourses reflects the existing cultural, religious or social norms of a country and acts as a means to exercise power of the dominant groups. The present investigation focuses to unmask prevalent cultural and social ideologies in the literary discourses of Pakistani English primary textbooks of the four provinces (Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa). The analysis pertains to two levels: content analysis to quantify cultural themes and discourse analysis to validate the results and gain insight into the data by using three-dimensional Critical Discourse Analysis framework by Norman Fairclough. The findings of the study highlight significant disproportion of cultural representations in the data. The results reflect embodiment of dominant provincial ideologies and advocate a revision of curriculum and education policy for serving wider educational needs in the local and international context.

Mahwish Shamim

mahwish shamim

Context determines the meanings of words, sentences, and text. A similar sequence of words can be variously interpreted due to differing contexts. This study was an attempt to investigate 4-word similar lexical bundles in a variety of contexts. The study was aided by the classical code model of Sperber and Wilson (1998) and structural categories of Biber (1996). Two autobiographies of Pakistani politicians, Benazir Bhutto and Pervaiz Musharraf, were analysed for the purpose and were descriptively presented employing a mixed-method approach. The contextual influence of lexical bundles was checked through AntConc3.5. The findings revealed that both the politicians had used similar 4-word lexical bundles contextually. The qualitative analysis of the lexical bundles from both autobiographies revealed that they were used repetitively, but the meanings were not the same each time. The bundles aided in improving the expression of political ideologies of the politicians and proved that the meanings of the bundles were context-bound.

Rozina Bibi

European Journal of Life Writing

Valérie Baisnée

This article examines how some contemporary autobiographies avoid narratives told from a first person viewpoint. Rejecting a philosophy of the subject that favors the first person pronoun over the other persons in language, Annie Ernaux’s impersonal autobiography The Years (2008) favors a mode of remembering that is collective rather than individual. But the narrator’s memories fall prey to a capitalist production system that denies the body while technology takes over the past, eliminating the subject as the owner of her memories.

This paper addresses the horned dilemma of sustenance of women's suppression in Pakistani patriarchal societyby critically analyzing a renowned Pakistani Urdu novel, Meri Zaat Zara-e-Benishan, by Umera Ahmed.Apparently, the novel seems to raise voice in favour of oppressed Pakistani women, butbehind the lines, it works as a tool to reassure the women to bear the injustices and inequalities in the patriarchal society as their destiny. The analysis of the novelis carried out under the umbrella of critical discourse analysis by employing three-dimensional framework of Norman Fairclough (2015). The research design of this qualitative study consists of the basic tenets of Critical Discourse Analysis, Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis, Feminism, Lacan's Psychoanalysis and Moscovici's theory of social representations. It has been found out that the narratives like Meri Zaat Zara-e-Benishanhave been paving the ways for the sustenance of male's hegemony. They impart the message that the women are subaltern and subservient to the traditions, values and norms of the society. They are bound and restricted to the boundaries raised by the demons of the societal and cultural norms. The writer stamps the destiny of the women through the depiction of docile and subservient female protagonists like Saba. The chains of social, cultural and religious norms are only for women whereas the men of the system are considered mostly as exempted from these restraints.

Papers of the 2nd European Conference on Literature and Librarianship: 51-65. ISSN: 2186-2281

Rachel Franks

Knowledge is power. By extension, the language utilised to control, disseminate and record knowledge can actively challenge, or sustain, existing power dynamics. In libraries and archives across Australia the power over Aboriginal artefacts and records is complicated by competing interests, various approaches to collection development and management as well as a constantly changing political context. This paper explores the idea of power, in the context of Indigenous collections, through three diverse points of view that serve to highlight some of the ethical and logistical issues that circulate around three key areas: reclaiming power (exploring how Aboriginal communities can connect with historical texts documenting culture, language and events to understand the past and inform the future); returning power (exploring the role of cultural institutions in the digital return of cultural patrimony and enabling connections with collections); and giving up claims to power and the ‘ownership’ of knowledge (exploring how every citizen can contribute to the restoration of power to facilitate the ‘return’ of knowledge to traditional owners). This paper aims to, through these three brief narratives, highlight some of the historical issues that construct common views around Indigenous collections. In addition, this paper seeks to demonstrate the many opportunities that arise from exploring tensions that may be evident in library and archive collections. It will also explore how staff from diverse backgrounds can be professionally engaged to promote and explore, in strategic and thoughtful ways, Aboriginal materials in libraries and archives.

RELATED PAPERS

Shazia Sadaf

Doing things with words across time. Snapshots of communicative practices in and from the past

Daniela Cesiri

Pakistan Journal of Women's Studies

IJAR Indexing

Journal of International Women's Studies

Shafqat Jilani

Jelena Filipovic

Virginie Dutoya

saira altaf

Muhammad Munir

Sunthar Visuvalingam , Lakshmi Bandlamudi

Fields Prize Medalist, Nobel Laureate in Physiology, and EMMY NOETHER Distinguished Professor ELYAS F R A E N K E L ISAACS PHD PHD PHD PHD* PHD DPH* DDIV DDIV DCJC MD*

The Book Review

Geeta Thatra

Feminismo/s

Antonia Montes

Global Language Review

Mahwish Zeeshan , Shazia Akbar Ghilzai

International Journal of English Linguistics

Hadia Zahid Khan

PhD Annual Yearbook New Series

Emanuela Spanò

RAJESH KUMAR

Journal of Literature and Art Studies JLAS

H-France Salon

Shirin Zubair

Elementary Education Online

Hafiz Ahmad Bilal

fauzia shamim

Literacy in Composition Studies

Phyllis M Ryder

Marisol Velasco-Sacristán

sandra ponzanesi

Politics & Gender

Proma Ray Chaudhury

Dragana Bozic Lenard

ouaret amina

Manju Tuladhar

International Journal of Applied Linguistics & English Literature [IJALEL]

Jeffrey Hobbs

Kavita Panjabi

RUDN Journal of Language Studies, Semiotics and Semantics

Experiments in Life-Writing

Julia Lajta-Novak

Costas Gabrielatos

Mashael Altamami

RELATED TOPICS

•   We're Hiring!
•   Help Center
• Find new research papers in:
• Health Sciences
• Earth Sciences
• Cognitive Science
• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Academia ©2024

Using Personal Pronouns in Nonfiction Book Writing

by Melissa Drumm | 9 comments

In English, we use personal pronouns to refer to people. It’s important to know how to use personal pronouns so you don’t have to repeat the name of your subject and object over and over again. Used correctly, personal pronouns improve the flow and readability of your writing.

But when it comes to nonfiction book writing, there are some rules about which personal pronouns you should use. In this article, I’ll explain which pronouns you should be using in your nonfiction book and why.

How to Use Personal Pronouns in Your Nonfiction Writing

Here at TCK Publishing and throughout the standard publishing industry, there are some general rules when it comes to pronouns in nonfiction writing.

Pronouns in fiction are pretty straightforward: Use whatever is appropriate for the voice and tone of your book! In nonfiction, however, it’s important to familiarize yourself with these guidelines so that you can make sure your writing hews to expectations.

Prefer “You”

“You” is the preferred pronoun in almost all nonfiction (with the exceptions of memoir, biography, autobiography, and other narrative-style nonfiction). Whether you’re writing a book on how to start your own business, how to improve your relationships, or the best places to travel with kids, using “you” helps you connect with readers by speaking directly to them.

Take a look at this example:

• People should exercise every day because it will help them live longer.
• You should exercise every day because it will help you live longer.

Which example appeals more to your emotions? Which example makes you more inclined to do what the writer suggests? The second one, of course: The sentence is not addressing just anyone—it’s addressing you specifically.

Use First- and Third-Person Pronouns Sparingly

While most of your book should be written with second-person pronouns, there are also instance where first-person and third-person pronouns, both singular and plural, are appropriate. For example:

If you’re relaying an anecdote about yourself or someone you know:

• When I was a child, I experienced air travel for the first time…
• Let me tell you about a time that I felt many of the emotions you’re probably feeling now…
• The founder of Company XYZ is very successful now, but when he was first starting out…

If you’re using social proof and giving an example of how you or someone you know put a recommendation into practice:

• I was reluctant to try this at first, but once I did, I found it to be quite simple and effective.
• One of my clients said that he hadn’t felt so good in years, and that he will now be using this tool every day.
• I know that other methods don’t work because I’ve tried many of them.

If you’re referring to a quote or piece of information given by someone else, or if you’re referring to an expert in your field:

• Muhammad was the founder of Islam. His philosophy was…
• Scientists at MIT performed a study on the topic. They found that…
• Most experts believe that climate change is caused by humans, and they recommend drastic changes to stop it.

If you’re including yourself in a group with your reader to better relate to them:

• Let’s look at an example…
• If we all work together, we can create change.

Using first- and third-person pronouns in specific contexts can lend credibility to your work and reinforce your message, but make sure not to rely on them too heavily.

Indefinite Third Person Pronouns

In English, third person singular pronouns are typically gendered: he, his, she, her. When referring to a specific person, you should of course use that person’s preferred pronouns. But when referring to a generic or indefinite person, there are a few different options.

Which option you choose will likely depend on your publisher’s style guide, so be sure to check with them before you forge ahead.

Option 1: Use “their” as a singular pronoun

According to the newest version of the Chicago Manual of Style (the style guide that TCK Publishing and most other trade publishers use), using “their” as a singular third-person (indefinite) pronoun is now acceptable. While some traditional grammarians are still not on board with this usage, you won’t be breaking any rules by doing this.

If you’re submitting your book to TCK, we prefer that authors use “their” as a third-person singular pronoun.

Option 2: Use your own gender

Using your own gender is usually a safe bet when it comes to indefinite pronouns. So if you identify as female, a sentence like this would read:

“A writer should always make sure that her desk is organized.”

While this is a classically grammatically correct option, it can alienate readers of the other gender in certain contexts, and if you choose to use male pronouns, it can read old-fashioned.

Option 3: Alternate between “he” and “she”

You can also switch back and forth between genders to avoid getting stuck on one or the other. So if you use “he” in one paragraph, switch to “she” in the next one.

The drawback of this is that it can be confusing or jarring for readers to be constantly switching back and forth. But if your publisher is okay with it and you’re consistent with your switches, this can be a good option.

Never Use “One” as a Pronoun

In English, “one” is sometimes used as an indefinite pronoun:

• One’s ability to think critically is essential to one’s success in college-level classes.

Really, the only thing you need to know about “one” in nonfiction book writing is:

Never, ever use “one” as a pronoun.

While “one” is technically not incorrect, it makes your writing sound stilted, old-fashioned, and overly formal. To avoid it, you could rework the above sentence so it reads:

• Your ability to think critically is essential to your success in college-level classes.

This construction sounds more modern and involves the reader in your writing.

Speak to Your Reader

When possible, it is best to speak directly to your reader using second person pronouns when writing a nonfiction book, except in the case of narrative nonfiction.

Using “you” will keep your readers engaged and make them feel more invested in what you have to say—and that’s every nonfiction writer’s hope.

How do you use personal pronouns in your writing? Tell us in the comments below!

If you liked this article, you may also like:

• Writing in Perspective: First, Second, and Third Person
• Who or Whom? Know the Difference
• Its or It’s: Grammar Explained by an Expert

Melissa Drumm is a lifelong book lover. She is passionate about helping authors make their work the best it can be. You can find some of her writing here on the TCK blog, and learn more about her other projects at melissadrumm.com . When she’s not writing, editing, or reading, you’ll usually find her in the kitchen, baking.

Thanks. I am reading books by Dr. Townsend and Dr. Cloud and find it very annoying that they switch back and forth using the pronouns he and she. Just use them or their already and avoid the confusion.

I am writing a business book with a co-author. We’re trying for an informal tone and the book includes anecdotes from both of us. As a sole author, I could introduce an anecdote with words like, “At one company, I found…” How do we do this, though, when the “I” in this sentence could be either author?

I’ve toyed with identifying the subject by name, e.g., “At one company, Bruce found…” but switching to the third person seems formal and distant.

Or using a vague sort of first person, like: “At one company, one of us found…” We could also add a name in parentheses, but both of these options seem even more awkward.

Any suggestions?

Hello Everyone, Very interesting and useful information. Thank you. I am writing a nonfiction book about my son who had autism before most people even heard the phrase. Years later, he fell into addiction. I am writing in the 1st person but I also want to include some of what my son felt and experienced throughout. I have had him jot down what he felt and experienced through these traumatic times. I want to include his voice in the book. I am having a problem trying to find out if this would be an autobiography or fall under a different category. I would truly appreciate any help and to be pointed in the right direction. Thank you.

I am confused about one thing. I have started writing a book about my son’s autism, when autism was almost unheard of. I want to include all the struggles we both went through. My son fell into addiction many years later and I want people to know what both he and I went through. If I am writing my story as his advocate and mother and also wish to include how he felt along each step, especially the addiction, would it be an autobiography? I am writing in the 1st person but I also want his views and feelings known. Over the years, I have had him jot down many experiences, good and bad and wish to add those. What category would the book fall under? I would truly appreciate any help. Thank you.

Hi Elyzzabeth, it sounds like your book would be a memoir, since it’s mostly from your perspective. You can include passages from your son’s perspective (or just about his experiences from yours) and it would still be considered your memoir, as long as it’s clear if/when you switch to his perspective.

I use second person pronouns in my nonfiction book because I am addressing the victims of sexual assault. I prefer to speak to them as though we are in a physical setting. It makes me feel believable and understanding to them at the same time. Because I do know what I am writing about, because I experienced it in1987.

Hi Roxane, that makes sense, and I agree it’s usually more engaging and powerful to address your readers directly. I’m sorry for what you had to go through, but I’m sure your writing is helping others.

Howdy from Tucson, AZ! My business partner and I are co-authoring eBooks around themes such as worry, patience, loneliness, etc., all the major issues affecting life particularly now during the pandemic. What are the best ways to transition from general writing where we use “we” to sharing a personal story that only one of us has experienced? How best to let the reader know whose personal story a particular section is? Thank you so much!

Hi Barbara, thanks for your comment! That’s kind of a tricky one, especially since I haven’t read your book, but I would recommend maybe introducing your story with something like: “Barbara has experienced this kind of stress personally:” and then, making sure it’s clearly set apart as its own separate section (using a colon, italicized font, or whatever you want, you can transition to first person.

Learn More About

• Fiction (223)
• Nonfiction (71)
• Blogging (47)
• Book Promotion (29)
• How to Get Reviews (9)
• Audiobooks (17)
• Book Design (11)
• Ebook Publishing (13)
• Hybrid Publishing (8)
• Print Publishing (9)
• Self Publishing (70)
• Traditional Publishing (53)
• How to Find an Editor (11)
• Fitness (4)
• Mindfulness and Meditation (7)
• Miscellaneous (117)
• New Releases (17)
• Career Development (73)
• Online Courses (46)
• Productivity (45)
• Personal Finance (21)
• Podcast (179)
• Poetry Awards Contest (2)
• Publishing News (8)
• Readers Choice Awards (5)
• Reading Tips (145)
• Software (18)
• Technology (17)
• Contests (4)
• Grammar (61)
• Word Choice (64)
• Writing a Book (63)
• Writing Fiction (195)
• Writing Nonfiction (74)

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

Pride Month

A guide to gender identity terms.

Laurel Wamsley

"Pronouns are basically how we identify ourselves apart from our name. It's how someone refers to you in conversation," says Mary Emily O'Hara, a communications officer at GLAAD. "And when you're speaking to people, it's a really simple way to affirm their identity." Kaz Fantone for NPR hide caption

"Pronouns are basically how we identify ourselves apart from our name. It's how someone refers to you in conversation," says Mary Emily O'Hara, a communications officer at GLAAD. "And when you're speaking to people, it's a really simple way to affirm their identity."

Issues of equality and acceptance of transgender and nonbinary people — along with challenges to their rights — have become a major topic in the headlines. These issues can involve words and ideas and identities that are new to some.

That's why we've put together a glossary of terms relating to gender identity. Our goal is to help people communicate accurately and respectfully with one another.

Proper use of gender identity terms, including pronouns, is a crucial way to signal courtesy and acceptance. Alex Schmider , associate director of transgender representation at GLAAD, compares using someone's correct pronouns to pronouncing their name correctly – "a way of respecting them and referring to them in a way that's consistent and true to who they are."

Glossary of gender identity terms

This guide was created with help from GLAAD . We also referenced resources from the National Center for Transgender Equality , the Trans Journalists Association , NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ Journalists , Human Rights Campaign , InterAct and the American Psychological Association . This guide is not exhaustive, and is Western and U.S.-centric. Other cultures may use different labels and have other conceptions of gender.

One thing to note: Language changes. Some of the terms now in common usage are different from those used in the past to describe similar ideas, identities and experiences. Some people may continue to use terms that are less commonly used now to describe themselves, and some people may use different terms entirely. What's important is recognizing and respecting people as individuals.

Jump to a term: Sex, gender , gender identity , gender expression , cisgender , transgender , nonbinary , agender , gender-expansive , gender transition , gender dysphoria , sexual orientation , intersex

Jump to Pronouns : questions and answers

Sex refers to a person's biological status and is typically assigned at birth, usually on the basis of external anatomy. Sex is typically categorized as male, female or intersex.

Gender is often defined as a social construct of norms, behaviors and roles that varies between societies and over time. Gender is often categorized as male, female or nonbinary.

Gender identity is one's own internal sense of self and their gender, whether that is man, woman, neither or both. Unlike gender expression, gender identity is not outwardly visible to others.

For most people, gender identity aligns with the sex assigned at birth, the American Psychological Association notes. For transgender people, gender identity differs in varying degrees from the sex assigned at birth.

Gender expression is how a person presents gender outwardly, through behavior, clothing, voice or other perceived characteristics. Society identifies these cues as masculine or feminine, although what is considered masculine or feminine changes over time and varies by culture.

Cisgender, or simply cis , is an adjective that describes a person whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth.

Transgender, or simply trans, is an adjective used to describe someone whose gender identity differs from the sex assigned at birth. A transgender man, for example, is someone who was listed as female at birth but whose gender identity is male.

Cisgender and transgender have their origins in Latin-derived prefixes of "cis" and "trans" — cis, meaning "on this side of" and trans, meaning "across from" or "on the other side of." Both adjectives are used to describe experiences of someone's gender identity.

Nonbinary is a term that can be used by people who do not describe themselves or their genders as fitting into the categories of man or woman. A range of terms are used to refer to these experiences; nonbinary and genderqueer are among the terms that are sometimes used.

Agender is an adjective that can describe a person who does not identify as any gender.

Gender-expansive is an adjective that can describe someone with a more flexible gender identity than might be associated with a typical gender binary.

Gender transition is a process a person may take to bring themselves and/or their bodies into alignment with their gender identity. It's not just one step. Transitioning can include any, none or all of the following: telling one's friends, family and co-workers; changing one's name and pronouns; updating legal documents; medical interventions such as hormone therapy; or surgical intervention, often called gender confirmation surgery.

Gender dysphoria refers to psychological distress that results from an incongruence between one's sex assigned at birth and one's gender identity. Not all trans people experience dysphoria, and those who do may experience it at varying levels of intensity.

Gender dysphoria is a diagnosis listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Some argue that such a diagnosis inappropriately pathologizes gender incongruence, while others contend that a diagnosis makes it easier for transgender people to access necessary medical treatment.

Sexual orientation refers to the enduring physical, romantic and/or emotional attraction to members of the same and/or other genders, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and straight orientations.

People don't need to have had specific sexual experiences to know their own sexual orientation. They need not have had any sexual experience at all. They need not be in a relationship, dating or partnered with anyone for their sexual orientation to be validated. For example, if a bisexual woman is partnered with a man, that does not mean she is not still bisexual.

Sexual orientation is separate from gender identity. As GLAAD notes , "Transgender people may be straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual or queer. For example, a person who transitions from male to female and is attracted solely to men would typically identify as a straight woman. A person who transitions from female to male and is attracted solely to men would typically identify as a gay man."

Intersex is an umbrella term used to describe people with differences in reproductive anatomy, chromosomes or hormones that don't fit typical definitions of male and female.

Intersex can refer to a number of natural variations, some of them laid out by InterAct . Being intersex is not the same as being nonbinary or transgender, which are terms typically related to gender identity.

The Picture Show

Nonbinary photographer documents gender dysphoria through a queer lens, pronouns: questions and answers.

What is the role of pronouns in acknowledging someone's gender identity?

Everyone has pronouns that are used when referring to them – and getting those pronouns right is not exclusively a transgender issue.

"Pronouns are basically how we identify ourselves apart from our name. It's how someone refers to you in conversation," says Mary Emily O'Hara , a communications officer at GLAAD. "And when you're speaking to people, it's a really simple way to affirm their identity."

"So, for example, using the correct pronouns for trans and nonbinary youth is a way to let them know that you see them, you affirm them, you accept them and to let them know that they're loved during a time when they're really being targeted by so many discriminatory anti-trans state laws and policies," O'Hara says.

"It's really just about letting someone know that you accept their identity. And it's as simple as that."

Getting the words right is about respect and accuracy, says Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, deputy executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality. Kaz Fantone for NPR hide caption

Getting the words right is about respect and accuracy, says Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, deputy executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality.

What's the right way to find out a person's pronouns?

Start by giving your own – for example, "My pronouns are she/her."

"If I was introducing myself to someone, I would say, 'I'm Rodrigo. I use him pronouns. What about you?' " says Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen , deputy executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality.

O'Hara says, "It may feel awkward at first, but eventually it just becomes another one of those get-to-know-you questions."

Should people be asking everyone their pronouns? Or does it depend on the setting?

Knowing each other's pronouns helps you be sure you have accurate information about another person.

How a person appears in terms of gender expression "doesn't indicate anything about what their gender identity is," GLAAD's Schmider says. By sharing pronouns, "you're going to get to know someone a little better."

And while it can be awkward at first, it can quickly become routine.

Heng-Lehtinen notes that the practice of stating one's pronouns at the bottom of an email or during introductions at a meeting can also relieve some headaches for people whose first names are less common or gender ambiguous.

"Sometimes Americans look at a name and are like, 'I have no idea if I'm supposed to say he or she for this name' — not because the person's trans, but just because the name is of a culture that you don't recognize and you genuinely do not know. So having the pronouns listed saves everyone the headache," Heng-Lehtinen says. "It can be really, really quick once you make a habit of it. And I think it saves a lot of embarrassment for everybody."

Might some people be uncomfortable sharing their pronouns in a public setting?

Schmider says for cisgender people, sharing their pronouns is generally pretty easy – so long as they recognize that they have pronouns and know what they are. For others, it could be more difficult to share their pronouns in places where they don't know people.

But there are still benefits in sharing pronouns, he says. "It's an indication that they understand that gender expression does not equal gender identity, that you're not judging people just based on the way they look and making assumptions about their gender beyond what you actually know about them."

How is "they" used as a singular pronoun?

"They" is already commonly used as a singular pronoun when we are talking about someone, and we don't know who they are, O'Hara notes. Using they/them pronouns for someone you do know simply represents "just a little bit of a switch."

"You're just asking someone to not act as if they don't know you, but to remove gendered language from their vocabulary when they're talking about you," O'Hara says.

"I identify as nonbinary myself and I appear feminine. People often assume that my pronouns are she/her. So they will use those. And I'll just gently correct them and say, hey, you know what, my pronouns are they/them just FYI, for future reference or something like that," they say.

O'Hara says their family and friends still struggle with getting the pronouns right — and sometimes O'Hara struggles to remember others' pronouns, too.

"In my community, in the queer community, with a lot of trans and nonbinary people, we all frequently remind each other or remind ourselves. It's a sort of constant mindfulness where you are always catching up a little bit," they say.

"You might know someone for 10 years, and then they let you know their pronouns have changed. It's going to take you a little while to adjust, and that's fine. It's OK to make those mistakes and correct yourself, and it's OK to gently correct someone else."

What if I make a mistake and misgender someone, or use the wrong words?

Simply apologize and move on.

"I think it's perfectly natural to not know the right words to use at first. We're only human. It takes any of us some time to get to know a new concept," Heng-Lehtinen says. "The important thing is to just be interested in continuing to learn. So if you mess up some language, you just say, 'Oh, I'm so sorry,' correct yourself and move forward. No need to make it any more complicated than that. Doing that really simple gesture of apologizing quickly and moving on shows the other person that you care. And that makes a really big difference."

Why are pronouns typically given in the format "she/her" or "they/them" rather than just "she" or "they"?

The different iterations reflect that pronouns change based on how they're used in a sentence. And the "he/him" format is actually shorter than the previously common "he/him/his" format.

"People used to say all three and then it got down to two," Heng-Lehtinen laughs. He says staff at his organization was recently wondering if the custom will eventually shorten to just one pronoun. "There's no real rule about it. It's absolutely just been habit," he says.

Amid Wave Of Anti-Trans Bills, Trans Reporters Say 'Telling Our Own Stories' Is Vital

But he notes a benefit of using he/him and she/her: He and she rhyme. "If somebody just says he or she, I could very easily mishear that and then still get it wrong."

What does it mean if a person uses the pronouns "he/they" or "she/they"?

"That means that the person uses both pronouns, and you can alternate between those when referring to them. So either pronoun would be fine — and ideally mix it up, use both. It just means that they use both pronouns that they're listing," Heng-Lehtinen says.

Schmider says it depends on the person: "For some people, they don't mind those pronouns being interchanged for them. And for some people, they are using one specific pronoun in one context and another set of pronouns in another, dependent on maybe safety or comfortability."

The best approach, Schmider says, is to listen to how people refer to themselves.

Why might someone's name be different than what's listed on their ID?

Heng-Lehtinen notes that there's a perception when a person comes out as transgender, they change their name and that's that. But the reality is a lot more complicated and expensive when it comes to updating your name on government documents.

"It is not the same process as changing your last name when you get married. There is bizarrely a separate set of rules for when you are changing your name in marriage versus changing your name for any other reason. And it's more difficult in the latter," he says.

"When you're transgender, you might not be able to update all of your government IDs, even though you want to," he says. "I've been out for over a decade. I still have not been able to update all of my documents because the policies are so onerous. I've been able to update my driver's license, Social Security card and passport, but I cannot update my birth certificate."

"Just because a transgender person doesn't have their authentic name on their ID doesn't mean it's not the name that they really use every day," he advises. "So just be mindful to refer to people by the name they really use regardless of their driver's license."

NPR's Danielle Nett contributed to this report.

• transgender
• gender identity

• Australia edition
• Europe edition
• International edition

Poem of the week: Autobiography Without Pronouns by Tiffany Atkinson

The title of this week's poem, "Autobiography Without Pronouns," from Kink and Particle by Tiffany Atkinson, declares a paradox: personal revelation (autobiography) and impersonality (no identifying pronouns). Poets, of course, sometimes look for a way of encoding private experience, but it would be complacent to assume that's the aim here. The challenge the writer sets herself is primarily a linguistic one, and she accomplishes it with no sacrifice of specific detail or personal voice.

Although relatively short at 20 lines, the poem seems full of space, light and movement. The absence of an "I" and other pronominal clutter certainly liberates the "eye" of writer and reader. Present participles enhance the poem's momentum, the syntax is loosened, and the reader shares the speaker's experience of watching, though car-windows, a flow of moving images.

This cinematic device is underlined by the "Super-8" simile in lines six to eight and later references to slo-mo and panning. The hand-held camera and 8mm film contrast with the advanced technology of the wind farm, but both might evoke parallels with the mind's memory-storing processes. Perhaps, additionally, the film-making is an activity framed in other parts of the poem (the tricycling child, for instance, could be on film). The immediate observation seems to enfold snippets of an older story, and the homecoming implied by "driving back" and "breaking home for twilight" may involve remembering other meanings of "home".

The windmills are clearly moving fast. Both the sweep of their tempo and the environmental friendliness of their technology are evoked by the colours and preposition of "white-through-blue". At the same time, they're linked to traditional agriculture by the notion of "reaping". A more familiar metaphor, the sky as a china bowl, is wittily filtered through the allusions, "priceless", "hairline crack". Another quietly-plotted surprise is the word "hiss" as a description of the noise the sea makes. Are ominous associations conjured by a sound connected with home movies? Despite the "Feathers by/ the roadside" confirming death or injury, the poem maintains its light-hearted, open-road, into-the-west sort of mood.

More omens appear in the encounter with the traveller selling quartz hearts, an incident relayed with a nicely-underlined zeugma when s/he "prophecies a wild affair/ and light rain, though in no particular/ order". We assume the car has stopped and the speaker has alighted, but the event could, of course, belong to more distant memory. It's an easy shift from the landscape's "slipstream" to these closer, more random-seeming character-shots.

The appearance of the small girl on a scarlet tricycle is all magical surprise. "Rounding the corner," she shrinks the linear stretch of landscape to town-sized dimensions. The observation that she "has just created pigeons" is her own excited point-of-view, perhaps. And now the narrative becomes simultaneously explicit and mysterious. "Mother" and "Ricardo", are not visibly connected to the speaker, but intimacy is implied. The shift to the past tense gives their finished lives a reality; in fact, they seem to supply a sombre biographical core to the poem. These lines enhance our sense of watching a film, a foreign film, decades-old, with a terse voiceover, and images – colourless, grainy, haunting – which seem freighted with back-story. The three characters may form a family triad (child, mother, the unfortunate Ricardo) but it's up to the reader. The absence of pronouns has freed the poem for this kind of bold stroke.

The narrative has always been tight and pacy, and now it consciously accelerates with that almost-monosyllabic camera-direction: "pan through/ sky to sea to road to quartz to pigeons." These different objects seem to meld in tones of blue and grey, and degrees of iridescence, relieving the imagined ugliness of Ricardo's death. The hooting train and the "all change" ("all" being a pronoun without an autobiography) underline a denouement harsher than expected, though in accord with the poem's overall sense of openness to what happens. "And love insists, like gravity" seems to confirm that the poem's journey was not to safety, but to a further emotional centre, a home-in-the-making. As movement ceases, the perfectly-judged intransitive use of "insists" somehow knits every earlier experience and future possibility together.

Atkinson has followed up her debut collection, Kink and Particle, with a lively re-working and re-gendering of the Latin poet, Catullus, Catulla et al , published by Bloodaxe last year. A new collection, So Many Moving Parts, is forthcoming.

Autobiography Without Pronouns

Driving back in the slipstream of the windfarm, each arc of white- through-blue reaping ohms from clean air. The sky would be priceless but for a hairline crack on its far curve: everything in slow-mo, the sea for miles on the passenger side like the hiss of Super-8. Feathers by the roadside. Breaking home for twilight where the traveller selling quartz hearts on the seafront prophesies a wild affair and light rain, though in no particular order. The small girl rounding the corner on a scarlet tricycle has just created pigeons; an astonishment of beat and wing. Mother's death was nothing unexpected but Ricardo's came brutally. Pan through sky to sea to road to quartz to pigeons as the last train westward claxons in. All change. And love insists, like gravity.

• Carol Rumens's poem of the week

Comments (…)

Most viewed.

• school Campus Bookshelves
• menu_book Bookshelves
• perm_media Learning Objects
• login Login
• how_to_reg Request Instructor Account
• hub Instructor Commons

Margin Size

• Download Page (PDF)
• Download Full Book (PDF)
• Periodic Table
• Physics Constants
• Scientific Calculator
• Reference & Cite
• Tools expand_more
• Readability

selected template will load here

This action is not available.

1.2: Pronouns

• Last updated
• Save as PDF
• Page ID 70162

\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)

\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)

\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)

( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)

\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)

\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)

\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)

\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)

\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\)

\( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)

\( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)

\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\)

\( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)

\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\)

\( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)

\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

\( \newcommand{\vectorA}[1]{\vec{#1}}      % arrow\)

\( \newcommand{\vectorAt}[1]{\vec{\text{#1}}}      % arrow\)

\( \newcommand{\vectorB}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)

\( \newcommand{\vectorC}[1]{\textbf{#1}} \)

\( \newcommand{\vectorD}[1]{\overrightarrow{#1}} \)

\( \newcommand{\vectorDt}[1]{\overrightarrow{\text{#1}}} \)

\( \newcommand{\vectE}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash{\mathbf {#1}}}} \)

Anna decided at the beginning of Anna’s first semester of college that Anna would run for thirty minutes every day. Anna knew that Anna would be taking a literature class with a lot of reading, so instead of buying print copies of all the novels Anna’s teacher assigned, Anna bought the audiobooks. That way Anna could listen to the audiobooks as Anna ran.

Did this paragraph feel awkward to you? Let’s try it again using pronouns:

Anna decided at the beginning of her first semester of college that she would run for thirty minutes every day. She knew that she would be taking a literature class with a lot of reading, so instead of buying hard copies of all the novels her teacher assigned, Anna bought the audiobooks. That way she could listen to them as she ran.

This second paragraph is much more natural. Instead of repeating nouns multiple times, we were able to use pronouns. You’ve likely hear the phrase “a pronoun replaces a noun”; this is exactly what a pronoun does. Because a pronoun is replacing a noun, its meaning is dependent on the noun that it is replacing. This noun is called the antecedent . Let’s look at the two sentences we just read again:

• Because a pronoun is replacing a noun, its meaning is dependent on the noun that it is replacing. This noun is called an antecedent .

There are two pronouns here: its and it . Its and it both have the same antecedent: “a pronoun.” Whenever you use a pronoun, you must also include its antecedent. Without the antecedent, your readers (or listeners) won’t be able to figure out what the pronoun is referring to. Let’s look at a couple of examples:

• Jason likes it when people look to him for leadership.
• Trini brushes her hair every morning.
• Billy often has to clean his glasses.
• Kimberly is a gymnast. She has earned several medals in different competitions.

So, what are the antecedents and pronouns in these sentences?

• Jason is the antecedent for the pronoun him .
• Trini is the antecedent for the pronoun her .
• Billy is the antecedent for the pronoun his .
• Kimberly is the antecedent for the pronoun she .
• The bus is twenty minutes late today, like it always is.
• I would never be caught dead wearing boot sandals. They are an affront to nature.

There are several types of pronouns, including personal, demonstrative, indefinite, and relative pronouns. The next few pages will cover each of these.

Personal Pronouns

Personal pronouns are what most people think of when they see the word pronoun . Personal pronouns include words like he , she , and they . The following sentences give examples of personal pronouns used with antecedents (remember, an antecedent is the noun that a pronoun refers to!):

• That man looks as if he needs a new coat. (the noun phrase that man is the antecedent of he )
• Kat arrived yesterday. I met her at the station. ( Kat is the antecedent of her )
• When they saw us, the lions began roaring ( the lions is the antecedent of they )
• Adam and I were hoping no one would find us . ( Adam and I is the antecedent of us )

Note: Pronouns like I , we , and you don’t always require an explicitly stated antecedent. When a speaker says something like “I told you the zoo was closed today,” it’s implied that the speaker is the antecedent for I and the listener is the antecedent for you .

Pronouns may be classified by three categories: person, number, and case.

Person refers to the relationship that an author has with the text that he or she writes, and with the reader of that text. English has three persons (first, second, and third):

• First-person is the speaker or writer him- or herself. The first person is personal ( I , we , etc.)
• Second-person is the person who is being directly addressed. The speaker or author is saying this is about you, the listener or reader.
• Third-person is the most common person used in academic writing. The author is saying this is about other people. In the third person singular there are distinct pronoun forms for male, female, and neutral gender.

Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence.

• Sandra often put other people’s needs before her own. That’s why people loved (her / me) so much.
• Vindira and Frank always let us know when (he / they) were coming into town.
• I told Bruno (he / it) will need three things in order to be successful: determination, discipline, and dexterity.

There are two numbers : singular and plural . As we learned in nouns, singular words refer to only one a thing while plural words refer to more than one of a thing ( I stood alone while they walked together).

English personal pronouns have two cases: subject and object (there are also possessive pronouns, which we’ll discuss next). Subject-case pronouns are used when the pronoun is doing the action. (I like to eat chips, but she does not). Object-case pronouns are used when something is being done to the pronoun (John likes me but not her).

• I don’t know if I should talk to (he / him). (He / Him) looks really angry today.
• Enrico and Brenna are coming over for dinner tomorrow night. (They / Them) will be here at 6:00.
• Melissa loves music. (She / Her) listens to it when I drive (she / her) to work.

Reflexive Pronouns

Reflexive pronouns are a kind of pronoun that are used when the subject and the object of the sentence are the same.

• Jason hurt himself . ( Jason is the antecedent of himself )
• We were teasing each other . ( we is the antecedent of each other )

This is true even if the subject is only implied, as in the sentence “Don’t hurt yourself.” You is the unstated subject of this sentence.

Read at the following sentences. Should the reflexive pronoun be used? Why or why not?

• Aisha let (her / herself) in when she arrived.
• Feel free to let (you / yourself) in when you get here!
• Andrés asked Jada if she would let (him / himself) in when (she / herself) arrived.

Possessive Pronouns

Possessive pronouns are used to indicate possession (in a broad sense). Some occur as independent phrases: mine , yours , hers , ours , yours , theirs . For example, “Those clothes are mine .” Others must be accompanied by a noun: my , your , her , our , your , their , as in “I lost my wallet.” His and its can fall into either category, although its is nearly always found in the second.

Both types replace possessive noun phrases. As an example, “Their crusade to capture our attention” could replace “The advertisers’ crusade to capture our attention.”

• Hey, that’s (my / mine)!
• Carla gave Peter (her / hers) phone number.
• Remember to leave (their / theirs) papers on the table.

The table below includes all of the personal pronouns in the English language. They are organized by person, number, and case:

Demonstrative Pronouns

Demonstrative pronouns substitute for things being pointed out. They include this , that , these , and those . This and that are singular; these and those are plural.

The difference between this and that and between these and those is a little more subtle. This and these refer to something that is “close” to the speaker, whether this closeness is physical, emotional, or temporal. That and those are the opposite: they refer to something that is “far.”

• The speaker is indicating a text that is close to her, by using “this.”
• The speaker is distancing himself from the object in question, which he doesn’t want to get any closer. The far pronoun helps indicate that.
• The speaker and her audience are likely looking directly at the clothes in question, so the close pronoun is appropriate.
• The speaker wants to remain away from the gross items in question, by using the far “those.”

Note: these pronouns are often combined with a noun. When this happens, they act as a kind of adjective instead of as a pronoun.

• Do I actually have to read all of this contract?
• That thing is not coming anywhere near me.
• You’re telling me you sewed all of these dresses?
• Those recipes are all gross.

The antecedents of demonstrative pronouns (and sometimes the pronoun it) can be more complex than those of personal pronouns:

• Animal Planet’s puppy cam has been taken down for maintenance. I never wanted this to happen.
• I love Animal Planet’s panda cam. I watched a panda eat bamboo for half an hour. It was amazing.

In the first example, the antecedent for this is the concept of the puppy cam being taken down. In the second example, the antecedent for it in this sentence is the experience of watching the panda. That antecedent isn’t explicitly stated in the sentence, but comes through in the intention and meaning of the speaker.

In the following sentences, determine if this , that , these , or those should be used.

• Lara looked at her meal in front of her. “____ looks great!” she said.
• Tyesha watched the ’67 Mustang drive down the street. “What I wouldn’t give for one of ____.”
• “What do you think of ____?” Ashley asked, showing me the three paint samples she had picked out.

Indefinite Pronouns

These pronouns can be used in a couple of different ways:

• They can refer to members of a group separately rather than collectively. ( To each his or her own. )
• They can indicate the non-existence of people or things. ( Nobody thinks that. )
• They can refer to a person, but are not specific as to first, second or third person in the way that the personal pronouns are. ( One does not clean one’s own windows. )

Please note that all of these pronouns are singular. The table below shows the most common indefinite pronouns:

Note: Sometimes third-person personal pronouns are sometimes used without antecedents—this applies to special uses such as dummy pronouns and generic they , as well as cases where the referent is implied by the context.

• You know what they say.
• It’s a nice day today.

Please note that all of these pronouns are singular. Look back at the example “To each his or her own.” Saying “To each their own” would be incorrect, since their is a plural pronoun and each is singular.

Identify the indefinite pronouns in the following sentences. Is the best indefinite used, or is there another indefinite that would fit better?

• Everyone should take the time to critically think about what he or she wants out of life.
• If I had to choose between singing in public and swimming with leeches, I would choose neither.
• Yasmin knew everything was wrong, but she couldn’t figure out what.
• If nobody else enrolls in this class, it will be cancelled this semester.

Underline the pronouns in the following sentences.

• Sofía loved her mother with a devotion that was almost religious.
• In the summer, temperatures rise for above those that we have previously known.
• Professor Williams has struggled to improve her student success rates despite intensive revisions to her pedagogy.
• Their dog tore through our yard, making a mess of things.
• Did you find your keys?

Contributors and Attributions

• Template:ContribCCEnglish101

Personal Pronouns: Definition, Examples, & Exercises

• The Albert Team
• Last Updated On: March 1, 2022

Personal pronouns are the most common form of pronoun as they have the ability to replace virtually any noun in a sentence. These pronouns have the power to pretend to be someone or something in a sentence.

For example, the first sentence in a story might read: 

• “ Bruce Wayne solemnly surveyed the interior of his mansion.” 

Bruce Wayne is a proper noun and also happens to be the subject of the sentence. To avoid sounding monotonous and repetitive, authors will often use personal pronouns in place of proper nouns like this: 

• “ He walked the silent halls, peering through doorways into empty rooms with curtains drawn.” 

Since this sentence immediately follows a sentence with a proper noun, the personal pronoun “he” can be used in place of the proper noun without confusing the reader. 

However, you do have to be careful when using personal pronouns . Look at the two sentences below and decide which one is written correctly: 

• “Apart from his loyal butler, Alfred, he felt totally alone.” 
• “Apart from his loyal butler, Alfred, Bruce felt totally alone.” 

Because the writer introduced a second proper noun, Alfred, into the sentence, using the personal pronoun “he” to refer to Bruce Wayne would result in an antecedent error . This means that the reader would assume that “he” meant Alfred since it is the closest proper noun to the personal pronoun . 

When you’re ready, test yourself with a quiz  and practice with our high-quality, standards-aligned questions here . 

What We Review

The Basics of Personal Pronouns

What is a Personal Pronoun?

Personal pronouns are pronouns that refer to a specific person, thing, animal, or group in a sentence. 

For example: 

• Joe asked Dante where he bought his Nintendo Switch. 

The reader understands that both “he” and “his” refer to Dante. If Joe meant someone other than Dante, both Dante and the reader would be very confused. 

Additionally , personal pronouns can take the role of most nouns in a sentence, whether subject or object. 

• Claire watched the meteor shower last night; she saw it from her bedroom window. 

In this compound sentence, there are two independent clauses that are connected by a semi-colon. In the first independent clause, the subject and object of the sentence are “Claire” and “meteor shower”. In the second independent clause, both of these nouns are replaced: “she” replaced “Claire” as the subject, and “it” replaced “meteor shower” as the direct object. 

Finally, when personal pronouns are used, they must have a clear antecedent , or a noun that appeared earlier in the text that is being replaced by the personal pronoun . 

• Mark and Amy brought him lunch. 

This sentence is so confusing because the reader has no idea who “him” refers to! Could it be Mark? No, that wouldn’t make sense, because the sentence implies that the lunch is brought for someone else. It cannot be Amy’s lunch, because a masculine personal pronoun is used. 

As writers, we must be careful to always have clear antecedents in our sentences if we choose to use personal pronouns (which we should!). 

Here is the sentence again with an antecedent added: 

• Joe called Mark and Amy to ask if they could bring him lunch. 

Now in this sentence, we know who “ him ” refers to. Even though there is another personal pronoun, “ they ”, we still know which personal pronoun refers to which proper noun because “ they ” has to refer to a plural noun (Mark and Amy), and “ him ” has to refer to a singular, masculine noun (Joe). 

What are the different types of pronouns?

In total, there are eight different types of pronouns. This will be a very quick summary, so if you’d like to learn more about these other types of pronouns, visit the Pronoun Overview and Practice page on Albert. 

Personal Pronouns: pronouns that refer to a specific person, thing, animal, or group in a sentence. 

• When David lost his goldfish, he was very sad. 

Demonstrative Pronouns: pronouns that are used to point out specific items 

• That is my missing goldfish! 

Interrogative Pronouns : pronouns used to ask a question

• Whose goldfish is this? 

Indefinite Pronouns: pronouns used to refer to someone or something nonspecific 

• Do any of these goldfish belong to you? 

Possessive Pronouns: pronouns used to show possession or belonging 

• I already told you; it is my goldfish! 

Relative Pronouns: pronouns that introduce relative clauses and add information about someone or something introduced earlier in the sentence 

• David was exasperated, which only made his quest to retrieve his missing goldfish that much more difficult. 

Reflexive/Intensive Pronouns: reflexive pronouns are used when the object of the sentence immediately reflects the subject of the same sentence, while intensive pronouns are used to show emphasis 

• David resolved to rescue his goldfish himself , no matter the cost. 

What are the similarities between personal pronouns and these other types of pronouns?

Personal pronouns pair most closely with possessive pronouns and reflexive pronouns in sentences. 

• The penguin waddled delightedly toward the water; he trembled in anticipation of his first swim by himself .  

What are the differences between personal pronouns and these other types of pronouns?

Conversely, personal pronouns do not often pair with interrogative or indefinite pronouns. 

While personal pronouns refer to a specific person, thing, animal, or group in a sentence, interrogative and indefinite pronouns refer to an undefined or nonspecific person, thing, animal, or group. 

If someone asked, “ Who made this extravagant chalk drawing on my driveway?” And another person responded, “ He did!” without pointing at someone, we still would not know who did the drawing. Since both interrogative and indefinite pronouns lack antecedents, it is very difficult to also use a personal pronoun without introducing an antecedent first. 

Return to the top

3 Tips for Understanding Personal Pronouns

Here are some important tips to help you understand personal pronouns: 

Tip #1. Personal pronouns can be used to replace a specific person, thing, animal, or group in a sentence

• As the frog leapt across the lily pads, it snagged a few flies on the way. 

In this sentence, the personal pronoun, it , replaces the noun, frog . 

Tip #2. Personal pronouns must have an antecedent that comes before the pronoun to make sense

• Beyonce has released several award-winning albums, but she most recently released “Homecoming”. 

In this sentence, the personal pronoun, she , refers back to its antecedent, which is Beyonce . 

Tip #3. If another person, thing, animal, or group interrupts the personal pronoun and its antecedent, a personal pronoun cannot be used

• Pete bought Jake a box of Cheez-Its and a pack of Twizzlers; Jake ate the Twizzlers first because they were his favorite snack. 

In this sentence, there are two different snacks that could be the antecedent of they . Therefore, the writer repeats the antecedent, Twizzlers , before using the personal pronoun to avoid confusion. 

Now that you understand how personal pronouns function in sentences, review the anchor chart above and complete the review below to fully understand how to use and recognize personal pronouns . 

Applying the Basics: Personal Pronoun Review & Practice

The ultimate list of antecedents.

Refer to the graphic below to learn about different types of pronouns, including personal pronouns :

Personal Pronoun Exercises and Review 

Now that you know some common personal pronouns , test your ability to find these pronouns.

Select the personal pronoun in the sentences below. Remember, personal pronouns refer to a specific person, thing, animal, or group in a sentence.

1. Rey searched tirelessly for Luke Skywalker, knowing only he could teach her the ways of the Force. 

• In this sentence, he is a personal pronoun that replaces “Luke Skywalker”, and her is a personal pronoun that replaces “Rey”.

2. The Rebel Alliance fought to overthrow The Empire and undo the evil that they had done.

• In this sentence, they is a personal pronoun that replaces “The Empire”.

3. When the Mandalorian’s life was in danger, the Child saved him by using the Force.

• In this sentence, him is a personal pronoun that replaces Mandalorian. 

4. As Rey unwillingly left Leia to go on a mission, Leia encouraged her by saying, “ I will see you when you get back.”

• In this sentence, her, I, and you are all examples of personal pronouns. Since there are two proper nouns referring to female characters, Leia’s name has to be used a second time to avoid confusion.

5. Kylo Ren was shocked to realize that Supreme Leader Snoke was only a puppet, and that Emperor Palpatine was manipulating him this entire time.

• In this sentence, him is a personal pronoun that could refer to either Kylo Ren or Snoke; however, it is clear that him refers to Snoke based on context clues within the sentence. If Snoke was a puppet, it is most logical that he was the one being manipulated. 
• Pro tip : Remember, personal pronouns are pronouns that refer to a specific person, thing, animal, or group in a sentence. They can replace most nouns in a sentence, regardless of whether that noun is a subject or object. However, every personal pronoun must have a clear antecedent, or a noun that comes before it. If there is any possibility of confusing the reader by using a personal pronoun , re-introduce the antecedent before replacing it with one of these pronouns.  

For additional practice, check out Personal Pronoun content on Albert.

Try for Yourself: Personal Pronouns Quiz

Feeling confident in your understanding of personal pronouns ? 

Take this short six-question quiz to see what you’ve learned:

1. Can a personal pronoun exist without an antecedent?

• Answer: No 
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! A personal pronoun must have a clear antecedent that comes before it, either within the same sentence or in the sentence immediately prior to it. 
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, a personal pronoun must have a clear antecedent that comes before it, either within the same sentence or in the sentence immediately prior to it.

2. Can personal pronouns and possessive pronouns be used together in the same sentence?

• Answer: Yes  
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! Personal and possessive pronouns are often used together in sentences as long as each pronoun has a clear antecedent. 
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, personal pronouns can be used with many other types of pronouns as long as each pronoun has a clear antecedent.

3. In this sentence, is the word, “his” a personal or possessive pronoun?

Justin was in a disagreement with his cousin because Justin thought Nike was the best brand while his cousin preferred Adidas. 

• Answer: Possessive
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! The pronoun his is possessive because it shows ownership or belonging. 
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, possessive pronouns show ownership or belonging while personal pronouns replace nouns in sentences.

4. In this sentence, is the word, “we” a personal or possessive pronoun?

Since my friends and I could not agree on a movie to go see together, we went to the mall instead. 

• Answer: Personal
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! The pronoun we is a personal pronoun because it replaces a previous group of nouns in the sentence (my friends and I). 

5. In this sentence, is the word, “which” a personal or relative pronoun?

The founders of Jurassic World were genetically-engineering dinosaurs, which turned out to be a terrible idea. 

• Answer: Relative
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! In this sentence, the word which is a relative pronoun because it introduces a relative clause that adds information about the process of “genetically-engineering dinosaurs”. 
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, relative pronouns introduce relative clauses and add information about someone or something introduced earlier in the sentence  while personal pronouns replace nouns in sentences.

6. In this sentence, is the word, “that” a personal or demonstrative pronoun?

That is my guinea pig; not yours!  

• Answer: Demonstrative
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! That is a demonstrative pronoun because it is used to point out a specific item in the sentence, which is, guinea pig .  
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, demonstrative pronouns are used to point out specific items in a sentence, while personal pronouns replace nouns in sentences. 

For additional practice with personal pronouns , check out our practice on Albert: Personal Pronouns .

Teacher’s Corner for Personal Pronouns

With so many grammatical concepts to master, regular practice of these concepts is necessary. Teachers can use the Common Core English Language Progressive Skills Chart to create both short and long term goals for their students. 

For specific standards on the different types of pronouns including personal pronouns , check out the Common Core State Standards site. 

Albert’s Personal Pronoun practice allows students to hone their skills as writers, readers, and speakers. When teachers wish to evaluate their students’ progress, Albert’s assessments are pre-made and readily available for teacher use. 

Summary for Personal Pronouns 

Be sure to check out our grammar course for more personal pronoun practice. 

You can also access over 3,400 high-quality questions that address nearly every grammatical concept.

Need help preparing for your Grammar exam?

Albert has hundreds of grammar practice questions with detailed explanations to help you master concepts.

Interested in a school license?​

Popular posts.

AP® Score Calculators

Simulate how different MCQ and FRQ scores translate into AP® scores

AP® Review Guides

The ultimate review guides for AP® subjects to help you plan and structure your prep.

Core Subject Review Guides

Review the most important topics in Physics and Algebra 1 .

SAT® Score Calculator

See how scores on each section impacts your overall SAT® score

ACT® Score Calculator

See how scores on each section impacts your overall ACT® score

Grammar Review Hub

Comprehensive review of grammar skills

AP® Posters

Download updated posters summarizing the main topics and structure for each AP® exam.

Literally Just 16 Funny “My Pronouns Are” Memes & Tweets

by Ruin My Week

A lot of people have started adding their preferred pronouns to their social media bios in solidarity with LGBTQ+ folks who are sick of having to correct people who misgender them ALL the damn time.

And just like any time a lot of people start to do something new on social media, there’s a lot of folks poking fun at it.

Here are some of the funniest memes and tweets about preferred pronouns we had time to find.

©2021 RuinMyWeek

Autobiography, Memoir, Personal History - What's the Diff? And Does It Matter?

Autobiography, Memoir, Personal History - What's the difference? And does it matter?

As "personal historians," Tom and I often use these terms interchangeably when blogging or teaching about the concept of writing one's life stories. But does that signify that they all mean the same thing?

Non, nein, nope. Each of the terms we use to describe life writing has a discrete meaning. (The reason, quite frankly, that we mash them all together so often is that each term has "keyword" value in a blog, and using them all helps more people find our blog posts online.)

Each of you will have your own purpose in writing about your life, and each of these forms of writing has its own benefits and challenges. 

Here's the rundown:

Autobiography . In an autobiography, one writes the story of the whole of one's life, a comprehensive overview of life experiences from birth (or ancestry) to the present. An autobiography usually contains factual or historical data such as names, dates, and places, and is often, though not always, more concerned with accuracy than dramatic license.  Traditionally, it has been the most common form of life storytelling. An autobiography, although comprehensive in scope, does not necessarily have to be long. Autobiography is written in the first person (told from the writer's viewpoint and using the pronoun "I").

Memoir . Also written in the first person, the author writes about his/her life in a more limited scope, with an emphasis on past events viewed through the lens of the present. A memoir could be one's reminiscences about a particular time period (childhood), challenge (coping with mental illness) or experience (hiking Mt. Everest). It can also encompass stories from a wide scope of the writer's life that connect to a single theme (being a first-generation American). Also the term "memoirs" plural -- as in, "I'm writing my memwaahs" - - is essentially an autobiography but more concerned with personal experience than historical accuracy. 

Personal History is kind of a catch-all term that could mean really any kind of edited life story writing, but most people think of a personal history as being more comprehensive, such as an autobiography or "life highlights" book. Usually written in the first person, but could also be a biography.

Biography . A biography is also a comprehensive account of one's life, highly concerned with accuracy, but written  in the third person (using pronouns "he, she, and it")  by someone other than the subject. Many published biographies are written about noteworthy or famous persons, but this is not always the case. We have written quite a few third-person biographies for clients. Some prefer to hire a writer to pen their life story from an objective point of view, so that their life stories are not perceived as self-indulgent or boastful. 

A third-person biography can also encompass several different viewpoints, including the subject's friends, family, co-workers, etc. A biography can be about a person who is deceased or too advanced in years to give a complete narrative; details and memories supplied by others can help complete the story.

(Just because someone hires a professional writer does not automatically qualify the work as a biography. People often hire "ghost-writers" to write their story in the first person, compiled from oral interviews and other research. Because it is written from the subject's viewpoint, it is still classified as autobiography.)

Other forms of life writing:

Fictionalized memoir is just like it sounds -- a memoir, written as a novel. With all the dramatic license desired, because, hey, it's fiction, and the names have been changed to protect the innocent.

A Personal Essay is like a personal op-ed piece, usually describing a contemporary personal experience and voicing one's opinions about it. Usually short, a personal essay is journalistic. Think magazine article. Also "reflective essay," which means a personal essay that also includes reminiscence of past events. I guess. Personal essays can also be compiled into a collection, which then more resembles a memoir, but without so much memory. (Getting confused yet?) Personal Narrative is also a newer term that seems to me indistinguishable from a memoir, but whatever. Also "creative personal nonfiction." 

The point is, what matters is that you get your life stories out of your head and into the world. In any form, or none at all!

We are so excited to be back at RootsTech live this year! Come by and see the Pictures and Stories booth (#1609) and see some of the many new books we’ve helped our clients create. Alison is giving two in-person classes: The Seven Deadly Sins of Building a Digital Archive, and Making a Genealogy Story Book. Hope to see you there!

How do you get from dry genealogy facts to a compelling story? This presentation from RootsTech 2020 will hopefully inspire you as well as give you tools to write your ancestors’ stories. (Audio with slides) Join me on a fascinating journey as I find one of my ancestors and write her story.

How Do You Write An Autobiography In 3rd Person?

• Bios should be written in third person, so use your name and third person pronouns (he, she, his, hers, him, and her) rather than first person pronouns (I and me). …
• Use a friendly and conversational tone as if talking to someone who knows you in a professional setting.

Is autobiography written in past tense?

The vast majority of memoirs, autobiographies, and personal histories are written in past tense , with a “first person” point of view. It makes sense: you are telling your own life stories, about things that have happened in the past, and so it feels more natural.

What point of view was used in the autobiography?

Like a memoir, an autobiography is the author’s retelling of his or her life and told in first person point of view , making the author the main character of the story.

How do you start a brief autobiography?

How to Write a Short Formal Autobiography

• Identify the Audience. Identify the objective of your autobiography and its target demographic. …
• Tell Your Story. …
• Describe our Credentials. …
• Mention Your Future Goals. …
• Get a Sense Check.

How do I begin to write?

8 Great Ways to Start the Writing Process

• Start in the Middle. If you don’t know where to start, don’t bother deciding right now. …
• Start Small and Build Up. …
• Incentivize the Reader. …
• Commit to a Title Up Front. …
• Create a Synopsis. …
• Allow Yourself to Write Badly. …
• Make Up the Story as You Go. …
• Do the Opposite.

What are the 3 point of views?

There are three main types of third-person point of view: limited, objective, and omniscient . The limited point of view is arguably the most popular. … The objective point of view is when the narrator tells you what the narrator sees and hears without describing the thoughts and feelings of the protagonist.

Does memoir have to be true?

A memoir is a nonfiction book that tells your own story, focusing on elements of your real life like personal experience, intimacy, and emotional truth. Enables self-discovery. The memoir book writing process requires you to really reexamine your own experiences, not just write an entire book retelling them.

What are the 5 types of point of view?

In fact, there are only five different types of narrative point of view:

• first-person.
• second-person.
• third-person omniscient.
• third-person limited.
• third-person objective.

What tense is a biography written in?

The one thing you probably won’t consider is what tense to write it in. A biography deals with events of the past, right? Ergo, you write it in the past tense . While this is perfectly fine and indeed the norm for the majority of biographies, it doesn’t necessarily follow.

What is inside the autobiography?

Just like the biography of a famous person, your autobiography should include things like the time and place of your birth, an overview of your personality, your likes and dislikes , and the special events that shaped your life. Your first step is to gather background detail.

What is first person writing?

First person point of view is often used in personal narrative—when the writer is telling a story or relating an experience. This perspective is writer’s point of view , and the writer becomes the focal point. First person personal pronouns include I, we, me, us, my, mine, our, and ours.

Is a bio in 3rd person?

What is a Bio? … The bio should be authoritative , and it should reflect a person’s level of professional experience and achievements. The information should be written in the third person instead of the first person so that it is useful to the intended audience.

How do you write in 3rd person?

When you are writing in the third person, the story is about other people. Not yourself or the reader. Use the character’s name or pronouns such as ‘he’ or ‘she’ . “He sneakily crept up on them.

What is an example of third person?

The third-person pronouns include he, him, his, himself, she, her, hers, herself, it, its, itself, they, them, their, theirs, and themselves . Tiffany used her prize money from the science fair to buy herself a new microscope. The concert goers roared their approval when they realized they’d be getting an encore.

Do memoirs have to be 100% true?

As memoir writers, we’re crafting a literary work. We’re also relying on memory and our own interpretation of events. … Memory is always inaccurate, so memoir is never true . It might not be factually true, but it’s emotionally true.

What do you call a novel based on a true story?

If you do want to write a book based entirely on true events, it would fall under the umbrella of memoirs and biographies , and is often referred to as creative non-fiction. … The most important thing is to decide if you actually want to write a fictional novel, or a work of creative non-fiction.

Does a memoir need dialogue?

Why You Need Dialogue In Memoirs

Dialogue is the easiest way to show and not tell. Dialogue is an effective way to increase conflict, tension, and suspense in your memoir. … You must make the people in your memoir speak because you are not writing an essay.

Is there a 4th person point of view?

What is the 4th person visual perspective? Traditionally it is considered omniscient . It’s often associated with an objective deity who exists outside Earth and thus, this 4th point-of-view is portrayed as a global perspective which sees the world from above.

Is US a third person word?

What Is Third Person? (with Examples) The term “third person” refers to someone else , i.e., not the writer or a group including the writer (“I,” “me,” “we,” “us”) or the writer’s audience (“you”). Whenever you use a noun (as opposed to pronoun), it is in the third person.

How do I start a writing career?

How To Start A Writing Career in 10 Steps

• Don’t wait to call yourself a writer. You don’t have to be published to be a writer. …
• Don’t quit. …
• Write from your passions. …
• Work at it every day. …
• Create your writer’s website. …
• Look for opportunities. …
• Seek like-minded writers. …
• Network, network, network.

What is a good sentence to start a story?

Story starters

• I didn’t mean to kill her.
• The air turned black all around me.
• Icy fingers gripped my arm in the darkness.
• Wandering through the graveyard it felt like something was watching me.
• The eyes in the painting follow him down the corridor.
• A shrill cry echoed in the mist.

How do you start a good story?

Find out which starter makes your partner most interested in reading your story.

• Start with action or dialogue.
• Ask a question or set of questions.
• Describe the setting so readers can imagine it.
• Give background information that will interest readers.
• Introduce yourself to readers in a surprising way.

Related Q&A:

© 2022 - 2024 Times Mojo - All Rights Reserved Home | About | Contact | Copyright | Report Content | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap

How to add your personal pronouns to your Instagram profile

Identity is such an important characteristic for our self-esteem and self-worth — it's literally an expression of who we are, or who we want the outside world to recognize us as. Whether your identity is tied up in your profession, hobbies, religion, sexuality, or any number of other descriptors, when you're putting your best face forward online or IRL, you want people to know the true you. More and more people are choosing the express their gender identity on social media, and apps like Instagram are taking notice. We'll show you how to add your personal pronouns to your Instagram profile, so your followers can address you as you want them to.

• Open the Instagram app .
• Tap on your profile photo in the bottom right corner.
• Tap on the big Edit Profile box on your profile page. Source: Android Central

• Tap on the line that says Pronouns .
• Start typing in your preferred pronouns . Instagram will allow you to display up to four.
• If you only want your followers to see your pronouns, switch on the Show to Followers Only toggle. Source: Android Central

• Tap the checkmark in the top right corner when you've finished your selection.
• Once everything looks OK on your Edit Profile page, tap the checkmark in the top right corner. Source: Android Central

Pretty easy, right? You should now see your preferred pronouns listed just under your profile picture and just above your bio/statement. As with other customizations, this feature is completely optional — you don't have to fill out your pronouns if you are uncomfortable doing so or don't want to for any reason.

You don't have to add pronouns to your Instagram profile, but it's nice that it's there if you want to.

Personally, I'm not all that concerned with how I'm addressed or referred to, but I also know that as a white, cis male, my attitude on the matter comes from a position of privilege. I am also aware that there are many whose real or social media profile names may confuse others as to how they want to be identified. I chose to display my pronouns as a form of solidarity with those who may feel underrepresented or misrepresented and to help normalize the practice (I also display my pronouns on my Twitter bio and work email).

It's not clear just yet if other social media apps like Twitter and Facebook will follow suit and create a dedicated space for personal pronouns on individual profiles, but I think it's important to recognize to Instagram for taking this important step!

Our top equipment picks

While you're updating your pronouns and editing your profile, you might want to upgrade your camera with one of the best Android camera phones like the Google Pixel 5 .

Pure Google The Google Pixel 5 is a fantastic all-around Android handset, with one of the best smartphone cameras available to make your Insta selfies shine.

Be an expert in 5 minutes

Get the latest news from Android Central, your trusted companion in the world of Android

Jeramy was the Editor-in-Chief of Android Central. He is proud to help *Keep Austin Weird* and loves hiking in the hill country of central Texas with a breakfast taco in each hand.

One Google I/O announcement would fix the gaping hole in Wear OS

I took photos of the northern lights with my Pixel 8 Pro and Galaxy S24 Plus — the results were very different

News Weekly: Pixel 8a arrives, YouTube gets more AI, Motorola's new stylus phone, and more

Most Popular

• 2 I took photos of the northern lights with my Pixel 8 Pro and Galaxy S24 Plus — the results were very different
• 3 News Weekly: Pixel 8a arrives, YouTube gets more AI, Motorola's new stylus phone, and more
• 4 Only $499 for the Pixel 8a is crazy. How can Google do it?
• 5 Best Buy Memorial Day sale 2024 — these are top 20 early deals I'd buy right now

Advertisement

Highlighting rams legends: roman gabriel, the barrier breaker, share this article.

During his 83 years of life, the legendary barrier breaker Roman Gabriel did what he knew to do best. Play the game he loved to the best of his abilities. Having recently passed away, a deeper look by the public was taken into the life of the 1969 NFL MVP and his incredible journey through football.

Gabriel was born in Wilmington, N.C., in 1940. The son of Filipino immigrants, Gabriel would go on to play at in-state program NC State where he’d star for the Wolfpack. A two-time first-team All-American and two-time ACC Player of the Year, Gabriel would have his jersey retired right after his college career ended. His collegiate exploits would lead to his selection by the Rams in the 1962 NFL Draft.

Gabriel was the second overall pick. He was also the first overall pick by the AFL’s Oakland Raiders. Gabriel chose the Rams and it was a perfect choice for both parties. Gabriel played 11 years with the team, earning not only an MVP, but a first-team All-Pro selection, two second-team All-Pro selections, and four Pro Bowl nods.

Upon leaving the Rams, Gabriel signed with the Eagles where he won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in 1973. Gabriel spent five years with the Eagles before retiring after 16 years in the league.

Gabriel would venture into coaching. After a brief stint in non-NFL professional leagues, Gabriel would find further success in football as a broadcaster. Gaining massive success on CBS radio, Gabriel worked as a broadcaster from 1978-2001, finishing his career with Carolina Panthers’ radio.

Gabriel also acted in several projects including the film titled “The Undefeated” which starred John Wayne and Rock Hudson. He was also a guest on several talk shows throughout the 20th century.

Gabriel was married three times and had five children and 10 grandchildren. Gabriel passed away in South Carolina on April 20, 2024.

Roman Gabriel was a man of firsts. The first person of Filipino descent to play in the NFL. The first player in NC State history to have his jersey retired by the program. The first player in Rams history to throw for over 20,000 passing yards and over 120 touchdowns. Gabriel still holds the franchise record for touchdown passes at 154 and is ranked third in career passing yards. He trails leader Jim Everett by only 1,535 yards.

Gabriel was the first Rams QB selected by the team in the first round to play more than four seasons with the franchise. A model of consistency and availability, Gabriel played in 89 straight games during his career, suiting up in 183 games overall.

A true leader on the field, a legendary life off of it. Roman Gabriel, a Rams legend.

Want the latest news and insights on your favorite team?

Sign up for our newsletter to get updates to your inbox, and also receive offers from us, our affiliates and partners. By signing up you agree to our Privacy Policy

An error has occured

Please re-enter your email address.

Thanks for signing up!

You'll now receive the top Rams Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

Most Popular

Here are the rams' 2024 opponents ahead of the full schedule release, 5 rams games the nfl should consider putting in prime time, rams sign 7 of their 10 picks from 2024 draft class, braden fiske's rookie deal includes more guaranteed money than usual for a 2nd-rounder, projected rookie contracts for rams' 2024 draft picks, braden fiske, kamren kinchens highlighted as instant-impact rookies in 2024.

Please enter an email address.

Thanks for signing up.

Please check your email for a confirmation.

Something went wrong.

Who is Jan Jensen? What to know about newest Iowa women's basketball coach following Lisa Bluder retirement

Iowa women's basketball has its successor to Lisa Bluder.

Less than 30 minutes after Bluder announced her surprising retirement from the Hawkeyes after 24 seasons working the sidelines, Hawkeyes associate head coach Jan Jensen was elevated to head coach, replacing her former college coach and mentor.

“I am thrilled to share with you that current Associate Head Coach Jan Jensen has agreed to become the next P. Sue Beckwith, MD, Head Women’s Basketball Coach. This program has always been about family, and the contributions to its incredible culture are shared by alums, current, student-athletes and the entire staff," Iowa director of athletics Beth Goetz said in a statement.

REQUIRED READING: Lisa Bluder announces retirement from Iowa women's basketball, Jan Jenson now head coach

Goetz added: "One of those contributors has been in the team circle for 24 years as a tireless recruiter, skilled teacher of the game, and charismatic personality that has endeared her to the Hawkeye community. Coach Jensen has been an instrumental part of our success, assisting in all aspects of the program. After several conversations with Coach Bluder and President Wilson over the last few days, it is clear that everything that we are seeking in a head coach, we have found right here.”

Here's what you need to know about Jensen as she takes over the helms of the Hawkeyes women's basketball program:

Who is Jan Jensen?

Jan Jensen is set to become the sixth head coach of the Iowa women's basketball program, as it was announced shortly after Bluder's retirement announcement on Monday.

To Hawkeyes fans, Jensen is no stranger to the program as she has been a prominent figure on Bluder's bench for the last 24 seasons, including the 20 as Iowa's associate head coach.

“I have been so blessed to have enjoyed an incredible ride with Lisa. That ride started when I was her player and continued for 33 years as I had the privilege to work alongside of her. I can’t thank Lisa enough for her mentorship, leadership, and most of all her friendship. I am so proud of all we accomplished and grateful for all the memories we created,” Jensen said in a statement. “I am now beyond elated to begin my new role and want to thank President Wilson and Beth for the opportunity to lead this program. I truly love The University of Iowa and I am profoundly honored and excited to continue building on our success."

Jensen's history with Bluder goes well beyond building game plans for opponents, as she played for Bluder at Drake in the 1990s. During her senior season at Drake, Jensen led the nation in scoring while also being named the Gateway Conference Most Valuable Player. Jensen is one of two former Drake players to have their numbers retired and ranks fourth all-time in Drake’s history in scoring with 1,996 points.

Jan Jensen coaching career:

• Drake (assistant coach): 1993-2000
• Iowa (assistant coach): 2000-2004
• Iowa (associate head coach): 2004-2024
• Iowa (head coach): 2024

Jensen got her start in coaching at her alma mater in 1993 when she joined Bluder's staff as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. At Drake, Jensen helped Bluder build two top-13 and two top-40 recruiting classes during their eight seasons with the Bulldogs.

She followed Bluder from Des Moines to Iowa City prior to the 2000 to be one of her assistant coaches, a position she held for four season. Jensen was then promoted to associated head coach before the 2004 season, a position and title that she has held for the last 20 years.

At Iowa, Jensen has become one of the nation's top assistant coaches and highly respected recruiters. As noted by Iowa's Sports Information Department, Jensen was the lead recruiter in Iowa landing four McDonald’s All-Americans in Samantha Logic, Lindsay Richards, Johanna Solverson and most recently Caitlin Clark.

Jensen primarily worked with Hawkeyes post players on Bluder's staff and was integral in the development of former Hawkeyes and now Las Vegas Aces forward Megan Gustafson. Under Jensen's help, Gustafson became the Big Ten's first Consensus National Player of the Year in the conference's history.

She also worked with Clark, the recent No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft who became the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer this past season.

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, automatically generate references for free.

• Knowledge Base
• Nouns and pronouns
• Personal Pronouns | Definition, List & Examples

Personal Pronouns | Definition, List & Examples

Published on 15 October 2022 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on 23 February 2023.

Personal pronouns are words like ‘you’ that refer to the person speaking or writing, to the person they’re addressing, or to other people and things.

Like other pronouns , they are used in place of nouns to allow us to speak and write more concisely. For example, without the first-person pronoun ‘I’, you would have to use your name every time you wanted to make a statement about yourself.

Personal pronouns change form based on person , number , gender , and case , as shown in the table below, which you can also download.

Download this table

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Be assured that you'll submit flawless writing. Upload your document to correct all your mistakes.

Table of contents

Person, number, gender, and case, first-person pronouns, second-person pronouns, third-person pronouns, impersonal pronouns, other personal pronouns, frequently asked questions.

Four factors indicate which personal pronoun you should use in a particular grammatical context to refer to a particular person or thing. These are:

• Person (first, second, or third)
• Number (singular or plural)
• Gender (masculine, feminine, neuter, or epicene)
• Case (subject, object, possessive, or reflexive)

To demonstrate correct pronoun-antecedent agreement , a personal pronoun must match its antecedent (the person or thing it refers back to) in person, number, and gender. Case is determined by how the pronoun is used in the sentence, not by the antecedent.

Personal pronouns are called ‘personal’ not because they always refer to people (‘it’, for example, doesn’t) but because they indicate a grammatical feature called person . There are three possibilities:

• First-person pronouns are used to refer to the person speaking or writing.
• Second-person pronouns are used to refer to the person being addressed.
• Third-person pronouns are used to refer to anyone or anything else.

Number indicates whether the personal pronoun refers to an individual person or thing or to a group of two or more.

• Singular pronouns refer to an individual person or thing.
• Plural pronouns refer to two or more people or things.

Gender is how personal pronouns indicate the gender of the person referred to – or the lack of gender of objects and concepts.

• Masculine pronouns refer to men and boys.
• Feminine pronouns refer to women and girls.
• Gender-neutral pronouns , also referred to as epicene , refer to people who identify as neither male nor female, or to people whose gender is not considered relevant in context.
• Neuter pronouns refer to things that are not people: objects, concepts, places, and sometimes animals.

Case means the grammatical role that the pronoun plays in a sentence. Personal pronouns can play four different roles in a sentence:

• Subject pronouns act as the subject of a verb – the person or thing that performs the action described.
• Object pronouns act as the object of a verb or preposition –   the person or thing that is acted upon.
• Possessive pronouns indicate ownership – they stand for something or someone that belongs to someone or something else. These are slightly different from possessive determiners .
• Reflexive pronouns are used instead of object pronouns when when the object of the sentence is the same as the subject. The same words also serve as emphatic pronouns .

The only proofreading tool specialized in correcting academic writing

The academic proofreading tool has been trained on 1000s of academic texts and by native English editors. Making it the most accurate and reliable proofreading tool for students.

Correct my document today

The first-person pronouns don’t vary based on gender, but they do vary based on number and case, as shown in the table below. The first-person singular subject pronoun ‘I’ is the only English pronoun that is always capitalised .

Note that there is ongoing debate about the use of first-person pronouns in academic writing .

If we work hard, the prize could be ours .

The second-person pronouns also do not vary based on gender, only the reflexive form varies based on number, and the subject and object forms are the same. This makes them the least variable set of personal pronouns but can occasionally lead to ambiguity.

Second-person pronouns should almost never be used in academic writing , as addressing the reader directly is seen as too informal.

May I ask you a question? Is this jacket yours ?

The third-person pronouns are much more variable than the first- and second-person pronouns, since they also change form based on gender, in addition to number and case.

As well as forms for the masculine and feminine, there is a neuter (or inanimate) form that’s used to refer to things other than people (e.g., ideas, objects, animals).

There’s also an increasingly widely used gender-neutral (or epicene) form, the singular ‘they’ . This is largely identical to the plural form (which is always gender-neutral), except that the reflexive ‘themself’ is sometimes used instead of ‘themselves’ (though it’s often considered nonstandard).

I’m glad she can be herself now.

Participants assessed themselves in terms of performance.

The impersonal pronoun ‘one’, as the name suggests, doesn’t vary based on person  – it’s not in the first, second, or third person.

Rather, like an indefinite pronoun , it refers to a nonspecific, generic individual, usually for the purpose of making a generalisation or stating a principle. It’s considered quite formal and often replaced with ‘you’, or otherwise avoided, in informal contexts.

The impersonal pronoun doesn’t vary based on number or gender, and it has the same form whether used as a subject or object. It does have a separate form for the reflexive, but no possessive pronoun form.

There are a few other personal pronouns that are rarely used, nonstandard, or archaic (no longer used). These generally shouldn’t show up in your academic or formal writing, but it’s worth knowing they exist.

Archaic second-person pronouns

The lack of variety in English second-person pronouns is somewhat unusual, as other languages (e.g., French) make clearer distinctions between singular and plural and between formal and informal ways of addressing someone.

Early Modern English used a larger set of second-person pronouns to convey this kind of distinction. The ‘th’ pronouns were used for informal address, while the ‘y’ pronouns were used for both formal address and plurals.

These additional pronouns are not used in contemporary standard English unless a deliberate attempt is being made to imitate old-fashioned or biblical language in a humorous or literary context. Some of them have survived in certain dialects of English.

‘Y’all’ and other nonstandard second-person plural pronouns

The lack of distinction between singular and plural in the standard second-person pronouns has given rise to various ways of expressing the plural in different dialects.

Though some of these are very widely used in everyday speech, they are all still regarded as nonstandard and not used in formal or academic writing. Some examples are given in the table below.

‘Ourself’

In some contexts, an individual might refer to themselves as ‘we’ and therefore use the alternative reflexive pronoun ourself .

This commonly occurs with the royal we (used by monarchs), the editorial we (used by an individual speaking for a publication or organisation), and the generic we (used to make generalisations). It’s not advisable to use any of these, or the word ‘ourself’, in academic writing.

‘Hisself’, ‘theirselves’, and ‘theirself’

Other nonstandard reflexive pronouns are hisself (replacing ‘himself’), theirselves (replacing ‘themselves’), and theirself (replacing ‘themself’). These are all widely regarded as mistakes and should be avoided in writing generally, whether formal or informal.

The third-person plural object pronoun ‘them’ is often replaced by ’em in informal contexts. It’s older than you’d expect, believed to actually be an abbreviation of the Middle English pronoun ‘hem’ rather than the current pronoun ‘them’. But it’s not used in formal or academic writing.

Capitalised pronouns in a religious context

The second- and third-person pronouns He/Him/His/Himself , She/Her/Hers/Herself , and You/Yours/Yourself are sometimes capitalised in a religious context when they are used to refer to a deity.

This is commonly encountered in sacred works such as the Bible or the Quran and in the writing of other religious figures, though it’s not always done consistently. It’s not necessary to imitate this usage in a nonreligious context.

Personal pronouns are words like ‘he’, ‘me’, and ‘yourselves’ that refer to the person you’re addressing, to other people or things, or to yourself. Like other pronouns, they usually stand in for previously mentioned nouns (antecedents).

They are called ‘personal’ not because they always refer to people (e.g., ‘it’ doesn’t) but because they indicate grammatical person ( first , second , or third person). Personal pronouns also change their forms based on number, gender, and grammatical role in a sentence.

In grammar, person is how we distinguish between the speaker or writer (first person), the person being addressed (second person), and any other people, objects, ideas, etc. referred to (third person).

Person is expressed through the different personal pronouns , such as ‘I’ ( first-person pronoun ), ‘you’ ( second-person pronoun ), and ‘they’ (third-person pronoun). It also affects how verbs are conjugated, due to subject-verb agreement (e.g., ‘I am’ vs. ‘you are’).

In fiction, a first-person narrative is one written directly from the perspective of the protagonist . A third-person narrative describes the protagonist from the perspective of a separate narrator. A second-person narrative (very rare) addresses the reader as if they were the protagonist.

The term preferred pronouns is used to mean the personal pronouns a person identifies with and would like to be referred to by. People usually state the subject and object pronoun (e.g., ‘she/her’) but may also include the possessive (e.g., ‘she/her/hers’).

Most people go by the masculine ‘he/him’, the feminine ‘she/her’, the gender-neutral singular ‘they/them’, or some combination of these. There are also neopronouns used to express nonbinary gender identity, such as ‘xe/xem’. These are less common than the singular ‘they’ .

The practice of stating one’s preferred pronouns (e.g., in a professional context or on a social media profile) is meant to promote inclusion for transgender and gender-nonconforming people.

Sources for this article

We strongly encourage students to use sources in their work. You can cite our article (APA Style) or take a deep dive into the articles below.

Caulfield, J. (2023, February 23). Personal Pronouns | Definition, List & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved 14 May 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/nouns/personal-pronoun/

Aarts, B. (2011).  Oxford modern English grammar . Oxford University Press.

Butterfield, J. (Ed.). (2015).  Fowler’s dictionary of modern English usage  (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Garner, B. A. (2016).  Garner’s modern English usage (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Is this article helpful?

Jack Caulfield

Other students also liked, first-person pronouns | list & explanation, what is a pronoun | definition, types & examples, what is a proper noun | definition & examples.

'Back to Black': Cast and character guide on who's playing who in musical biography based on Amy Winehouse

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'Back to Black' is scheduled for release in theaters on May 17, 2024, aiming to captivate audiences with its portrayal of Amy Winehouse's life and music.

The movie serves as a biographical tribute to the late, soulful singer Winehouse, drawing its name from her iconic 2006 single and album. 

The movie will follow Winehouse's journey from a jazz musician in North London to her rapid ascent to fame with hits like 'Rehab' and 'Back to Black', showcasing her talent, passion, and the personal struggles that defined her career. 

The official synopsis of the movie reads, "The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time".

Ahead of its release, let's take a look at the cast and character guide of ' Back to Black'.

Marisa Abela as Amy Winehouse

Marisa Abela, a popular British actress known for her versatility and captivating performances, takes on the pivotal role of Amy Winehouse in 'Back to Black'.

Abela portrays the iconic singer's journey from a jazz musician in North London to her rise to fame and the personal struggles she faced along the way. 

Her performance is anticipated to be a standout in the film, offering audiences a fresh perspective on the life and legacy of the late singer.

Abela rose to prominence in the entertainment industry through standout performances in television and film , garnering critical acclaim and building a dedicated fan following. 

Some of her notable works include 'Industry', 'COBRA', 'Man in a Box', ' Barbie', and 'She Is Love'.

Eddie Marsan as Mitch Winehouse

Eddie Marsan, an acclaimed British actor renowned for his remarkable versatility and compelling performances, takes on the role of Mitch Winehouse, Amy's father, in 'Back to Black'.

As Mitch, Marsan portrays the complexities of a father-daughter relationship, showcasing both the love and the challenges that come with it.

Marsan is known for his ability to inhabit a wide range of characters with depth and authenticity. Marsan rose to prominence with his role in the 2008 film 'Happy-Go-Lucky', where he received acclaim for his portrayal of Scott, a driving instructor. 

Some of his notable works include 'V for Vendetta', 'Mission: Impossible III', 'Sixty Six', 'Hancock', 'Sherlock Holmes', 'War Horse', and 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows'.

Jack O'Connell as Blake Fielder-Civil

Jack O'Connell, a popular British actor celebrated for his powerful performances and versatility on screen, takes on the pivotal role of Blake Fielder-Civil, Amy's ex-husband, in 'Back to Black'. 

O'Connell rose to fame for his portrayal of James Cook in the television series 'Skins.' However, it was his breakout role in the critically acclaimed film 'Starred Up' that truly highlighted his acting prowess.

Some of his other notable works include 'This Is England', 'Eden Lake', 'Dive,' 'United', '300: Rise of an Empire,' 'Jungleland,' and the Netflix wild west miniseries 'Godless'.

Lesley Manville as Cynthia Winehouse 

Lesley Manville, a popular British actress, plays Cynthia Winehouse, Amy's grandmother, in 'Back to Black'. 

Cynthia was also a popular singer, known for her soulful voice and heartfelt performances. She rose to fame with her hit songs and captivated audiences with her musical talent.

Throughout her career, Manville has showcased her exceptional talent and versatility as an actress, earning critical acclaim for her performances. She has portrayed a wide range of characters, from complex and nuanced roles to more light-hearted and comedic ones.

Manville has appeared in several notable films, including 'Grown-Ups', 'High Hopes', 'Secrets & Lies', 'Topsy-Turvy', 'All or Nothing', and 'Vera Drake'.

Juliet Cowan as Janis Collins-Winehouse

Juliet Cowan, a Northern Irish television, film and stage actress, plays Janis Collins-Winehouse, Amy's mother, in 'Back to Black'. 

Cowan is a renowned actress known for her versatile performances across various mediums. Cowan's work has earned her critical acclaim and a loyal fan base, establishing her as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. 

Some of her notable works include 'The Sarah Jane Adventures', 'Skins', 'Fresh Meat', 'Am I Being Unreasonable?', 'Everything I Know About Love', and 'Falling Into Place'.

Sam Buchanan as Nick Shymansky

Sam Buchanan, who is known for 'The Power' and 'Such Brave Girls', plays Nick Shymansky, Amy's manager, in 'Back to Black'.

In his role as a music manager, Nick is responsible for overseeing the careers of musical artists, helping them navigate the industry and achieve success in their careers.

Buchanan is an emerging actor whose talent and dedication have begun to garner attention in the entertainment industry. With a passion for storytelling and a natural charisma on screen, Buchanan has already made a mark with his performance in 'Such Brave Girls'.

Harley Bird as Juliette Ashby

Harley Bird, a popular British actress, takes on the role of a British singer-songwriter, Juliette Ashby, in 'Back to Black'.

Bird is a famous actress known for her work in film, television, and theater. Bird served as the third and longest-running voice of Peppa Pig.

Some of her notable works include 'Hailey and Friends', 'How I Live Now', Goodbye', 'Doctor Who', and 'So Sammy'.

Pete Lee-Wilson as Perfume Paul

Pete Lee-Wilson, a British television and film actor, takes on the role of Perfume Paul in the film, 'Back to Black'.

Lee-Wilson's career began with a role in the television show 'Metal Mickey' in 1980s. He has since appeared in a variety of TV shows, including 'The Bill' and 'Spooks'. One of his notable roles was in the 2009 'Doctor Who' story 'The End of Time'. 

Some of his other notable works include 'Jemima Shore Investigates', 'C.A.T.S. Eyes', 'The Paradise Club', 'The Broker's Man', and 'M.I.T.: Murder Investigation Team'.

Thelma Ruby as Great Auntie Renee

Thelma Ruby, a popular and veteran British actress, brings her wealth of experience to the role of Great Auntie Renee in 'Back to Black'.

Ruby is known for her captivating performances on stage and screen, and her portrayal of Great Auntie Renee is no exception.

In 1958, Ruby appeared in Bernard Kops' play 'The Hamlet of Stepney Green' at the Lyric Theatre in London's Hammersmith. The production featured a cast that included Harold Lang, John Fraser, John Barrard, and George Selway.

In 1962, Ruby appeared in the British film 'Live Now, Pay Later', showcasing her acting prowess in a cinematic setting. In 2017, Ruby took on the role of Alice in the ITV sitcom 'Bad Move', demonstrating her versatility across different genres and mediums.

Spike Fearn as Tyler James

Spike Fearn, a well-known British actor, portrays Tyler James, an English singer and songwriter, in 'Back to Black'.

James's debut single, 'Why Do I Do?', achieved chart success in the UK, and reached a peak position of number 25.

James was not only a friend to Amy but also a musical collaborator. Their friendship deepened as they both pursued careers in the music industry, with James supporting Amy through her rise to fame.

Ryan O'Doherty as Chris Taylor

Ryan O'Doherty, a popular actor, writer and multi media artist, takes on the role of Chris Taylor, Amy's former partner about who she allegedly wrote her hit 'Stronger Than Me'.

O'Doherty is a renowned actor known for his captivating performances on stage and screen. O'Doherty is well-known for his role in 'Little Fantasies', where he showcased his acting prowess and garnered praise for his performance.

How to stream 'Back to Black'?

' Back to Black' is set to premiere exclusively in theaters on May 17, promising an immersive cinematic experience for audiences.

The film's availability on streaming platforms will be announced in due course, ensuring that fans can enjoy it in the comfort of their own homes. Stay tuned for updates on where and how you can watch 'Back to Black' beyond its theatrical release.

'Back to Black' trailer

Dwayne 'the rock' johnson then and now: be it wrestling or acting, the star has always looked buff.

David Sanborn, saxophonist who played with David Bowie, dies at 78 from prostate cancer

Jazz musician David Sanborn , a Grammy-winning saxophonist known for his genre-blending work, has died following a long battle with cancer. He was 78.

Sanborn died Sunday afternoon due to complications from an "extended battle" with prostate cancer, a post on the musician's official Facebook page read Monday.

"It is with sad and heavy hearts that we convey to you the loss of internationally renowned, six-time Grammy Award-winning saxophonist David Sanborn," the post read. "Mr. Sanborn had been dealing with prostate cancer since 2018 but had been able to maintain his normal schedule of concerts until just recently. Indeed, he already had concerts scheduled into 2025."

Sanborn's representative Stephanie Pappas confirmed the authenticity of the post in an email to USA TODAY.

Sanborn was introduced to the saxophone during a childhood bout of polio at the age of 3, according to Sanborn's official website . He later honed his craft by studying music at Northwestern University and the University of Iowa.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Sanborn released his debut solo album "Taking Off" in 1975. His later studio efforts, 1979's "Hideaway" and 1981's "Voyeur," earned him commercial and critical acclaim. Both albums each sold half a million copies , while the latter earned Sanborn his first Grammy Award for best R&B instrumental performance ("All I Need is You").

Susan Backlinie dies: Actress who played shark victim Chrissie Watkins in 'Jaws' was 77

The saxophonist also crossed over into pop music through collaborations with top acts including Stevie Wonder, David Bowie , The Rolling Stones , Luther Vandross and Eric Clapton .

Sanborn recorded a saxophone solo for Bowie's 1975 hit "Young Americans," which peaked at No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 .

"David Sanborn was a seminal figure in contemporary pop and jazz music," the Facebook post continued. "It has been said that he ‘put the saxophone back into Rock 'n Roll.' "

Rudy Moreno dies: The 'Godfather of Latino Comedy' was 66

Sanborn also made his mark on television and radio. The musician co-hosted the Emmy-nominated late-night talk show "Sunday Night" from 1988-1990, as well as the "After New Year's Eve" special on ABC.

According to his official website , Sanborn also helmed the syndicated radio program "The Jazz Show with David Sanborn."