Pronoun
noun
A word used instead of a noun.
She is a teacher. 'She' is a pronoun used instead of the person's name.
Often appears as...
- personal pronoun
- possessive pronoun
noun
A word that can function by itself as a noun phrase.
We are going to the park. 'We' is a pronoun standing for a group of people.
Often appears as...
- interrogative pronoun
- demonstrative pronoun
noun
A word that is used to replace other nouns in a sentence.
It is raining. 'It' is a pronoun replacing 'the weather'.
Often appears as...
- relative pronoun
- distributive pronoun
Usage tips
Academic
noun
A word used instead of a noun.
She is a teacher. 'She' is a pronoun used instead of the person's name.
Often appears as...
- personal pronoun
- possessive pronoun
noun
A word that can function by itself as a noun phrase.
We are going to the park. 'We' is a pronoun standing for a group of people.
Often appears as...
- interrogative pronoun
- demonstrative pronoun
noun
A word that is used to replace other nouns in a sentence.
It is raining. 'It' is a pronoun replacing 'the weather'.
Often appears as...
- relative pronoun
- distributive pronoun
Usage tips
Academic
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Avoid Repetition
Use pronouns to prevent repeating the same noun, making sentences smoother and easier to read.
Maria enjoyed the party because she loves dancing.
Pro Tip 2/3Clarify Reference
Ensure the pronoun clearly refers to a specific noun mentioned earlier so that readers aren't confused.
John borrowed Mike's car. He returned it on Tuesday.
Pro Tip 3/3Gender Sensitivity
Be aware of gender preferences; some people prefer 'they' instead of 'he' or 'she'.
Jamie is a writer and they published their first novel.
Pro Tip 1/3Avoid Repetition
Use pronouns to prevent repeating the same noun, making sentences smoother and easier to read.
Maria enjoyed the party because she loves dancing.
Pro Tip 2/3Clarify Reference
Ensure the pronoun clearly refers to a specific noun mentioned earlier so that readers aren't confused.
John borrowed Mike's car. He returned it on Tuesday.
Pro Tip 3/3Gender Sensitivity
Be aware of gender preferences; some people prefer 'they' instead of 'he' or 'she'.
Jamie is a writer and they published their first novel.
Pro Tip 1/3Avoid Repetition
Use pronouns to prevent repeating the same noun, making sentences smoother and easier to read.
Maria enjoyed the party because she loves dancing.
Pro Tip 2/3Clarify Reference
Ensure the pronoun clearly refers to a specific noun mentioned earlier so that readers aren't confused.
John borrowed Mike's car. He returned it on Tuesday.
Pro Tip 3/3Gender Sensitivity
Be aware of gender preferences; some people prefer 'they' instead of 'he' or 'she'.
Jamie is a writer and they published their first novel.
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Video examples
Language around gender...
with the idea of changing language. But of course, I'm not just talking about language in general. I'm talking about language as it is impactful for trans people. And pronouns are only one part of language, and they're only one part of language that's important for trans people. Also important are the identity terms
Video examples
How to come out at work,...
on how you can make your workplace more inclusive of this person's identity. Chances are it's not just going to help them but maybe someone else down the line. Now, in my case, it would be adding pronouns to your email signature and asking your coworkers to do the same in order to help normalize it across the org.
Video examples
Why kids need to learn...
I want kids to grow up and into themselves with pride for who they are and who they can be, no matter who they love or what they wear or what pronouns they use. And I want them to love others for their differences, not in spite of them. I think fostering this pride and empathy
Video examples
How visionary leaders...
messages what we know is that so much of what we communicate is delivered and received unconsciously I'm talking about our body language our vocal patterns our pronouns we aren't conscious of this stuff but it has a huge influence on how we impact an audience what's exciting
Video examples
What doctors should know...
but lives their life as a male -- what happens when this transgender male goes for their yearly gynecological visit? How that doctor treats that patient will set the whole tone for the office. If that doctor treats that male with the correct pronouns, correct name,
Video examples
Where on Earth Will...
you know, baby boomers, we speak very confidently in this sort of, you know, plural pronoun, you know, as if our views represent the views of people in the world. Young people in cities who don’t have children who are struggling, that’s the future of humanity.
Video examples
Follow a Transgender...
just response just from that the thing I really remember about coming out was I was in a play I went to rehearsal they were getting their pronouns right they were using my name like it was you know just a total different world and I felt
Video examples
When to use apostrophes...
for a publication, and doing that. The important thing is to pick one style and stick with it throughout a piece of writing. One more wrinkle. Certain pronouns already have possession built in and don't need an apostrophe.
Video examples
Rufus Griscom and Alisa...
in the very first minute. I remember vividly, sitting there in the hospital. We were in the process of giving birth to our first child. We, or I? I'm sorry. Misuse of the pronoun. Alisa was very generously in the process
Video examples
D-L Stewart: Scenes from...
And getting someone's pronouns right and being transformative loudly and mindfully matters. Because Black trans lives matter. My life matters. My body is a sovereign country,
Video examples
Language around gender...
with the idea of changing language. But of course, I'm not just talking about language in general. I'm talking about language as it is impactful for trans people. And pronouns are only one part of language, and they're only one part of language that's important for trans people. Also important are the identity terms
Video examples
How to come out at work,...
on how you can make your workplace more inclusive of this person's identity. Chances are it's not just going to help them but maybe someone else down the line. Now, in my case, it would be adding pronouns to your email signature and asking your coworkers to do the same in order to help normalize it across the org.
Video examples
Why kids need to learn...
I want kids to grow up and into themselves with pride for who they are and who they can be, no matter who they love or what they wear or what pronouns they use. And I want them to love others for their differences, not in spite of them. I think fostering this pride and empathy
Video examples
How visionary leaders...
messages what we know is that so much of what we communicate is delivered and received unconsciously I'm talking about our body language our vocal patterns our pronouns we aren't conscious of this stuff but it has a huge influence on how we impact an audience what's exciting
Video examples
What doctors should know...
but lives their life as a male -- what happens when this transgender male goes for their yearly gynecological visit? How that doctor treats that patient will set the whole tone for the office. If that doctor treats that male with the correct pronouns, correct name,
Video examples
Where on Earth Will...
you know, baby boomers, we speak very confidently in this sort of, you know, plural pronoun, you know, as if our views represent the views of people in the world. Young people in cities who don’t have children who are struggling, that’s the future of humanity.
Video examples
Follow a Transgender...
just response just from that the thing I really remember about coming out was I was in a play I went to rehearsal they were getting their pronouns right they were using my name like it was you know just a total different world and I felt
Video examples
When to use apostrophes...
for a publication, and doing that. The important thing is to pick one style and stick with it throughout a piece of writing. One more wrinkle. Certain pronouns already have possession built in and don't need an apostrophe.
Video examples
Rufus Griscom and Alisa...
in the very first minute. I remember vividly, sitting there in the hospital. We were in the process of giving birth to our first child. We, or I? I'm sorry. Misuse of the pronoun. Alisa was very generously in the process
Video examples
D-L Stewart: Scenes from...
And getting someone's pronouns right and being transformative loudly and mindfully matters. Because Black trans lives matter. My life matters. My body is a sovereign country,
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Hari Nef
American Actress
My experience with 'Transparent' has completely spoiled me because it was the safest, most transpositive set ever. I didn't have to worry about all the usual things - like when people have a vision of your transness that you're not comfortable with. When they don't know the correct gender pronouns by which to refer to you.
Quote examples
Asia Kate Dillon
American Actor
What 'Billions' does so brilliantly is they just make it a non-issue. Damien Lewis' character says, 'Those are the pronouns you use? Great, let's get down to business. How can you make me money?
Quote examples
King Princess
American Musician
I wrote about ladies who had come through the studio. I get asked, 'Is it a choice to gender the music or put pronouns in?' and for me, it just wasn't a choice.
Quote examples
Rain Dove
American Model
Use she, he, it, one, they. You could call me mow mow, and I honestly don't care. A pronoun is just a sound. All I'm listening for in that sound is positivity.
Quote examples
Jack Monroe
British Journalist
For some people, pronouns are a very important part of how they identify. I completely understand that. For me, I have more of a looser interpretation.
Quote examples
Hayley Kiyoko
Japanese Actress
That's the whole point of my trying to achieve success in mainstream pop - to have straight people sing to my music that has a 'she' pronoun in it.
Quote examples
Laura Jane Grace
American Musician
In a perfect world, in my opinion, 'they,' 'them,' and 'theirs' would be the pronouns that everyone would use.
Quote examples
Trisha Paytas
American Celebrity
I don't love pronouns like 'they' and 'them' because that's super confusing I think.
Quote examples
Gavin Creel
American Actor
Maybe some of the pronouns have changed, but I've always been honest in my music.
Quote examples
Anthony Scaramucci
American Businessman
I speak with the right pronouns. It's 'we' and 'our.' It's never 'me' or 'I.
Quote examples
Hari Nef
American Actress
My experience with 'Transparent' has completely spoiled me because it was the safest, most transpositive set ever. I didn't have to worry about all the usual things - like when people have a vision of your transness that you're not comfortable with. When they don't know the correct gender pronouns by which to refer to you.
Quote examples
Asia Kate Dillon
American Actor
What 'Billions' does so brilliantly is they just make it a non-issue. Damien Lewis' character says, 'Those are the pronouns you use? Great, let's get down to business. How can you make me money?
Quote examples
King Princess
American Musician
I wrote about ladies who had come through the studio. I get asked, 'Is it a choice to gender the music or put pronouns in?' and for me, it just wasn't a choice.
Quote examples
Rain Dove
American Model
Use she, he, it, one, they. You could call me mow mow, and I honestly don't care. A pronoun is just a sound. All I'm listening for in that sound is positivity.
Quote examples
Jack Monroe
British Journalist
For some people, pronouns are a very important part of how they identify. I completely understand that. For me, I have more of a looser interpretation.
Quote examples
Hayley Kiyoko
Japanese Actress
That's the whole point of my trying to achieve success in mainstream pop - to have straight people sing to my music that has a 'she' pronoun in it.
Quote examples
Laura Jane Grace
American Musician
In a perfect world, in my opinion, 'they,' 'them,' and 'theirs' would be the pronouns that everyone would use.
Quote examples
Trisha Paytas
American Celebrity
I don't love pronouns like 'they' and 'them' because that's super confusing I think.
Quote examples
Gavin Creel
American Actor
Maybe some of the pronouns have changed, but I've always been honest in my music.
Quote examples
Anthony Scaramucci
American Businessman
I speak with the right pronouns. It's 'we' and 'our.' It's never 'me' or 'I.
Example 1 of 10
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