Demonstrative Indefinite and Distributive Pronouns in English Grammar

A pronoun is a word that is used instead of a noun. The word ‘Pro’ means ‘for’ or ‘acting as’. It is a replacement for a noun or a noun phrase. In other words, a Pronoun has all the characteristics of a noun. It can function as a subject or object and a complement in a sentence.

Pronouns are also called friends of nouns as they represent nouns. The most basic role of a pronoun is to avoid the repetition of a noun or a noun phrase in a sentence.

Example:

Let us see how we avoid repeating the noun twice in a sentence by using a pronoun.

Incorrect Sentence: Mahesh did not go to school yesterday, because Mahesh was unwell.

Correct Sentence: Mahesh did not go to school yesterday, because he was unwell.

Note: A pronoun has a fixed form. It cannot be used with a premodifying adjective nor can it take a determiner or a perfect suffix.

Kinds of Pronoun

There are nine kinds of pronouns. They are:

1. Personal Pronouns

2. Possessive Pronouns

3. Reciprocal or Distributive Pronouns

4. Demonstrative Pronouns

5. Reflexive Pronouns

6. Emphatic Pronouns

7. Relative Nouns

8. Interrogative Nouns

9. Indefinite Pronouns

In this part, we will study Distributive, Demonstrative and Indefinite Pronouns.

Reciprocal or Distributive Pronouns

When there is more than one person or thing, then we use Distributive Pronouns to indicate persons or things that are taken one at a time.

The Distributive Pronoun words are each other, one another, each, either neither, etc.

Each other and one another are used to express mutual or reciprocal relationships. They cannot be used as the subject of a clause. They have to have an antecedent.

Let us see some examples based on the above principle.

The two boys hate each other. They love each other or one another. In English, both ‘each other’ and ‘one another’ is used interchangeably for both two people or things and more than two, with a slight preference for each other.

The word ‘each’ denotes everyone of a number of persons or things taken singly.

‘Either’ denotes one or the other in a group of two.

‘Neither’ denotes not the one nor the other of the two. It is the negative of ‘either’.

Example:

Either of the officers was absent.

Neither of the boys gave his consent.

Note: Distributive pronouns are different from distributive adjectives. Distributive pronouns are not followed by a noun. They are used as an object or subject in a sentence whereas distributive adjectives are followed by a noun and they are called modifying words.

Example:

Each boy has received a gift.

Either process leads to the same result.

Neither response is correct.

Demonstrative Pronoun

Demonstrative Pronouns are the words that are used to point to people or things they stand for. 

Example:

This is my Computer.

These are fragile cutleries.

That is Meenu over there.

Those old clothes belong to the boy.

These pronouns are also used as pre-modifying determiners in noun phrases.

Consider the following sentences:

1. This is my pen.

2. This painting is mine.

In sentence a), ‘this’ is used as a pronoun, whereas the second sentence b), ‘this’ is used as demonstrative determiners.

What is an Indefinite Pronoun?

When words are used to refer to persons or things in a general way, the words are Indefinite Pronouns. The Indefinite Pronouns are every, all, some, few, one, none, somebody, someone, anybody, something, anything, another, any, everybody, everyone, everything, nobody, several.

Let us use these words in sentences.

1. All is well that ends well.

2. One should not think too much of oneself.

3. I can challenge anybody.

4. Everybody will die one day.

5. Some are born great.

6. Few agreed to the proposal.

7. None but fools have ever believed it.

The above-underlined pronouns are the uses of Indefinite Pronouns.

Note: If the word ‘One’ is used in a sentence, then it should be used throughout. 

Example:

One should take care of one's health (not his) health.

One should love one’s country.

Note: When the gender is not definite about the Singular Indefinite Pronouns, the pronoun in masculine gender is used.

Example:

Everyone must do his best performance.

Anyone will be able to do this if he tries.

Note: If the gender is known, then the pronoun in the appropriate gender is used:

Example:

Every one of the girls raised her hand.

Note: In English, many times these rules are ignored and use plural personal pronouns with each, everybody, etc. as.

Example:

Everyone is dissatisfied with their results.

Each of the dancers should have their own props.

Please note the English grammar does not accept this trend, so we should avoid writing like this.

Most of the indefinite pronouns may also be used as Adjectives.

Example:

1. He is a man of few words.

2. Many stories are told about this mountain.

3. I will take you there one day.

4. Some eggs are rotten.

Solved Questions

Q1. Fill in the blanks with appropriate Demonstrative or Indefinite Pronouns and write the name of each pronoun.

1. _____________must not boast of one’s own success.

2. Both the novels are good but ___________ is better than _________.

3. Bangalore’s climate is better than ______________ of Delhi.

4. I want to have milk; there is ______________ in the can.

5. _____________ loves beautiful things.

6. ______________ was there to rescue the drowning child.

7. ____________ of them rose from their seats to protest.

8. _______________ could answer my questions.

9. Did ___________ write with my pen when I was away?

10. __________ is a gift from my grandmother.

11. My views are in accordance with _____________ of yours.

12. ____________ of them were soldiers.

Solution:

1. One must not boast of one’s success.

2. Both the novels are good but this is better than that.

3. Bangalore’s climate is better than that of Delhi.

4. I want to have milk; there is none in the can.

5. Everyone loves beautiful things.

6. None was there to rescue the drowning child.

7. Few of them rose from their seats to protest.

8. None could answer my questions.

9. Did anyone write with my pen when I was away?

10. This is a gift from my grandmother.

11. My views are in accordance with some of yours.

Q2. Fill in the blanks with appropriate Distributive or Reciprocal Pronouns and name each pronoun.

1. The two friends saw __________ every day.

2. ___________ of them could do the work.

3. Take ___________ of these two apples.

4. _____________ of the accusations is true.

5. I bought these mangoes for fifty rupees ___________________.

6. These horses cost fifty thousand rupees____________________.

7. All five members of the family quarrelled with _____________.

8. They praised ____________ to gain cheap publicity.

9. ___________ of you must recite this poem, turn by turn.

10. They both fought and hurt____________.

Solution:

1. The two friends saw each other every day.

2. Neither of them could do the work.

3. Take either of these two apples.

4. Neither of the accusations is true.

5. I bought these mangoes for fifty rupees each.

6. The horses cost fifty thousand rupees each.

7. All five members of the family quarrelled with each other.

8. They praised one another to gain cheap publicity.

9. Each of you must recite this poem, turn by turn.

10. They both fought and hurt one another.