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DictionarypronounNoun substitute
noun

pronoun

PROH-nown/ˈprəʊnaʊn/

A word used in place of a noun or noun phrase.

She is a pronoun that can replace a person's name.

Pronoun substitution pattern.
Etymology
proLatinin place of
+nounLatinname, noun

The pieces describe a word standing “in place of a noun.” This directly names the pronoun’s grammatical job: substituting for a noun or noun phrase rather than repeating it.

In context

Christine Angel Cuarteros19:05
to replace the plural pronoun with he or she or it
(English Language Proficiency) Lesson 1: Pronoun and Its Antecedent

More examples

  • The sentence needed a plural pronoun.
  • He chose a pronoun with a clear referent.
  • The lesson compared subject and object pronouns.

Forms

pronoun · pronouns

Similar words

noun
A noun names a person, thing, or concept; a pronoun can stand in for a noun phrase.
determiner
A determiner introduces or specifies a noun; a pronoun can function without that noun.