In this chapter we shall talk about other kinds of pronouns, like;

1. Reflexive pronouns
2. Demonstratives pronouns
3. Indefinite pronouns

Reflexive pronouns

Reflexive pronouns are quite identical to compound personal pronouns. The only difference is that in reflexive pronouns verbal action affects subject by which it is done. Now look at the following examples and you will understand.

1. The hunter shot the lion
2. The hunter mistakenly shot himself.

Now you see in the first sentence (1) verbal action extends to object (lion) whereas in the second sentence (2) it reflects back to the subject. Therefore the second sentence is the example of reflexive pronoun.

Examples

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

Demonstrative pronouns

You will see in the chapter of determiners that Rodney Huddleston in English Grammar an Outline includes demonstratives in determiners along with possessive case of pronoun and articles. Still we can say that they are pronouns in a sense that they are replacement of nouns. Now look at the following examples:

• Book is mine.
• That is mine.

Now demonstative that in the second sentence refers to book which is noun therefore it is the replacement of noun. Similarly we use this, these, those as demonstrative pronouns.

One thing however must be clear when demonstratives are used with noun they cease to be pronouns rather adjectives because they are no longer replacement of nouns, like;

• That chair is mine.

Here that is not a replacement of chair.

Indefinite pronouns

In grammar mostly names or titles are self explanatory as is the word indefinite. It means any pronoun which may not refer to any particular (definite) thing. Now look at the following examples to help explain this more; (italicized and underline words are indefinite pronouns)

• It is surprising that one hardly takes his responsibilities.
• None of you is doing anything.
• At least somebody should inquire about the situation.
• Nobody was there to help me.

Now in above examples you have seen that the pronouns do not specify any particular person hence they are indefinite pronouns.

Watch the video