A1 Pronouns
A1 pronoun vocabulary in alphabetical order with definitions and example sentences.
all
The whole number or amount.
Example
All of the food has gone.
another
One more; an extra thing or person.
Example
Would you like another drink?
any
Used in negative sentences and in questions and after if or whether to refer to an amount or a number, however large or small.
Example
We need some more paint; there isn't any left.
anyone
Used instead of someone in negative sentences and in questions after if/whether, and after verbs such as prevent, forbid, avoid, etc.
Example
Is anyone there?
anything
Used instead of something in negative sentences and in questions; after if/whether; and after verbs such as prevent, ban, avoid, etc.
Example
Would you like anything else?
both
Used with plural nouns to mean ‘the two’ or ‘the one as well as the other’.
Example
Both women were French.
each
Used to refer to every one of two or more people or things, when you are thinking about them separately.
Example
Each answer is worth 20 points.
enough
As many or as much as somebody needs or wants.
Example
Six bottles should be enough.
everybody
Every person; all people.
Example
Everybody knows Tom.
everyone
Every person; all people.
Example
Everyone cheered and clapped.
everything
All things.
Example
Everything had gone.
few
A small number of people, things or places; some.
Example
I recognized a few of the other people.
half
An amount equal to half of something/somebody.
Example
I'll see you in half an hour.
he
A male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified.
Example
Everyone liked my father—he was the perfect gentleman.
her
Used as the object of a verb, after the verb be or after a preposition to refer to a woman or girl who has already been mentioned or is easily identified.
Example
We're going to call her Sophie.
him
Used as the object of a verb, after the verb be or after a preposition to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified.
Example
When did you see him?
I
Used as the subject of a verb when the speaker or writer is referring to himself/herself.
Example
I think I'd better go now.
many
Used with plural nouns and verbs, especially in negative sentences or in more formal English, to mean ‘a large number of’. Also used in questions to ask about the size of a number, and with ‘as’, ‘so’ and ‘too’.
Example
We don't have very many copies left.
me
The form of I that is used when the speaker or writer is the object of a verb or preposition, or after the verb be.
Example
Don't hit me.
more
Used with plural nouns and verbs, especially in negative sentences or in more formal English, to mean ‘a large number of’. Also used in questions to ask about the size of a number, and with ‘as’, ‘so’ and ‘too’.
Example
We don't have very many copies left.
most
Used with plural nouns and verbs, especially in negative sentences or in more formal English, to mean ‘a large number of’. Also used in questions to ask about the size of a number, and with ‘as’, ‘so’ and ‘too’.
Example
We don't have very many copies left.
much
Used with plural nouns and verbs, especially in negative sentences or in more formal English, to mean ‘a large number of’. Also used in questions to ask about the size of a number, and with ‘as’, ‘so’ and ‘too’.
Example
We don't have very many copies left.
no one
Not anyone; no person.
Example
No one was at home.
nobody
Not anyone; no person.
Example
Nobody knew what to say.
nothing
Not anything; no single thing.
Example
There was nothing in her bag.
one
Used to avoid repeating a noun, when you are referring to somebody/something that has already been mentioned, or that the person you are speaking to knows about.
Example
I'd like an ice cream. Are you having one, too?
other
Used to refer to people or things that are additional or different to people or things that have been mentioned or are known about.
Example
Mr Harris and Mrs Bate and three other teachers were there.
own
Used to emphasize that something belongs to or is connected with somebody.
Example
It was her own idea.
same
The same thing or things.
Example
I would do the same again.
she
A female person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified.
Example
‘What does your sister do?’ ‘She's a dentist.’
some
Used to refer to an amount of something or a number of people or things when the amount or number is not given.
Example
Some disapprove of the idea.
somebody
A person who is not known or mentioned by name.
Example
Somebody should have told me.
someone
A person who is not known or mentioned by name.
Example
There's someone at the door.
something
A thing that is not known or mentioned by name.
Example
We stopped for something to eat.
that
Used for referring to a person or thing that is not near the speaker, or not as near to the speaker as another.
Example
Who's that?
them
Used when referring to people, animals or things as the object of a verb or preposition, or after the verb be.
Example
Tell them the news.
they
People, animals or things that have already been mentioned or are easily identified.
Example
‘Where are John and Liz?’ ‘They went for a walk.’
this
Used to refer to a specific person, thing, or idea that is near or has just been mentioned.
Example
This is my friend Sarah.
us
Used when the speaker or writer and another or others are the object of a verb or preposition, or after the verb be.
Example
She gave us a picture as a wedding present.
we
I and another person or other people; I and you.
Example
We've moved to Atlanta.
what
Used in questions to ask for particular information about somebody/something.
Example
What is your name?
which
Used in questions to ask somebody to be exact about one or more people or things from a limited number.
Example
Which is better exercise—swimming or tennis?
who
Used in questions to ask about the name, identity or function of one or more people.
Example
Who is that woman?
you
Used as the subject or object of a verb or after a preposition to refer to the person or people being spoken or written to.
Example
You said you knew the way.
yourself
Used when the person or people being spoken to both cause and are affected by an action.
Example
Have you hurt yourself?