Common mistakes in the use of pronouns

Pronouns are words like he, she, they and it. We will learn the correct use of pronouns in this lesson.

• Incorrect: I and he are friends.
• Correct: He and I are friends.

It is considered conceited to put 'I' first when there are two subjects.

• Incorrect: I with my brother went for a walk.
• Correct: I went for a walk with my brother.

A pronoun used as subject should not be separated from its verb if possible.

• Incorrect: I will see the washing machine whether it works well.
• Correct: I will see whether the washing machine works well.

Here the object of the verb see is not washing machine but the whole noun clause.

• Incorrect: None of us have heard of him.
• Correct: None of us has heard of him.
• Incorrect: People dies when he has nothing to eat.
• Correct: People die when they have nothing to eat.

The indefinite pronouns every, none, much and person are singular words whereas all, some, most, many and people are plural.

• Incorrect: My dogs are smarter than my neighbour.
• Correct: My dogs are smarter than those of my neighbour.

In a comparative sentence the same part of two things should be compared. 'That of, these of and those of' are necessary words often omitted.

Sections in this article

Pronouns
Kinds of pronouns
Personal pronouns
Possessive pronouns
Reflexive pronouns
Demonstrative pronouns
Relative pronouns
Correct usage of personal pronouns