Pt 4 Basic English – Essential Lessons for Beginning English Learners

Basic English explains that there are four types of pronouns: Subject Pronouns, Object Pronouns, Possessive Pronouns, and Demonstrative Pronouns. Here are explanations and examples of each.

Subject Pronouns

Function as the subject of a sentence:

• I live in New York.
• Do you like playing tennis?
• He doesn’t want to come this evening.
• She works in London.
• It won’t be easy.​
• We are studying pronouns at the moment.
• You went to Paris last year, didn’t you?
• They bought a new car last month.​

Object Pronouns

Serve as the object of a verb.

• Give me the book.
• He told you to come tonight.
• She asked him to help.
• They visited her when they came to New York.
• She bought it at the store.
• He picked us up at the airport.
• The teacher asked you to finish your homework.
• I invited them to a party.

Possessive Pronouns

Show that something belongs to someone. That house is mine.

• This is yours.
• I’m sorry, that’s his.
• Those books are hers.
• Those students are ours.
• Look over there, those seats are yours.
• Theirs will be green.

Demonstrative Pronouns

Refer to things. ‘this’ and ‘these’ refer to something that is near. ‘that’ and ‘those’ refer to things that are farther away.

• This is my house.
• That is our car over there.
• These are my colleagues in this room.
• Those are beautiful flowers in the next field.

Possessive adjectives – my, your, his, her, its, our, your, their

Are often confused with possessive pronouns. The possessive adjective modifies the noun following it in order to show possession.

• I’ll get my books.
• Is that your car over there?
• That is his teacher, Mr. Jones.
• I want to go to her store.
• Its color is red.
• Can we bring our children?
• You are welcome to invite your husbands.

When and How to Use In for Time

Use ‘in’ months and years and periods of time:

• in January
• in 1978
• in the twenties

Use ‘in’ a period of time in the future:

• in a few weeks
• in a couple of days

When and How to Use At for Time

Use ‘at’ with precise time:

• at six o’clock
• at 10.30
• at two p.m.

When and How to Use On for Time

Use ‘on’ with days of the week:

• on Monday
• on Fridays

Use ‘on’ with specific calendar days:

• on Christmas day
• on October 22nd

Important Notes

• We say in the morning, afternoon or evening BUT we say ‘at night’.

Source:  thoughtco.com©

Pt 5 Basic English – Essential Lessons for Beginning English Learners – TUTORING YOU