ELJMC

LESSON 1 – NOUNS AND PRONOUNS

ACTIVATE
Study the image below.

ANTICIPATE
Reflect on these questions.
1. What do you remember about nouns?
2. Try to name all the nouns you can find in the image.
3. Are all the nouns you have listed tangible? If not, what are exceptions?

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ACQUIRE
NOUNS
Nouns are mostly what you are going to encounter in sentences. Most sentences in
English contain at least one noun or pronoun.
Nouns are naming words. They are usually thought as a word that names a person,
place, thing or idea. However, nouns can name much more. They name not only persons
but kinds of persons; and not only places but types of places. In addition, nouns name
animals, objects, qualities, physical conditions, emotions, time, direction, social
conditions and even activities.

The Different Types of Nouns

1. Common Nouns
refer to general, unspecific categories. So, while "Nueva Ecija" is a proper
noun because it names a specific province, province is a common noun
because it can refer to any state. While "Eduardo L. Joson Memorial
College" refers to a particular place of higher learning, the common
noun college can refer to any school of that type.

A common noun is your everyday noun, such as aunt or state. They are not
capitalized unless they start a sentence or are part of a name, like Aunt
Dorothy.

2. Proper Nouns
are nouns that refer to specific people, places or things. Proper nouns
like Nueva Ecija, Israel, or Malacañang Palace are capitalized to show
their distinction from common nouns, such as "province," "man" or "building."

3. Concrete Nouns
are nouns that refer to things that exist physically and can be touched,
seen, smelled, felt, or tasted. Here are some examples:
• Can I pet your dog?
• Please pass the salt.
• Your sweater is made of such soft wool.

Concrete nouns can be perceived by at least one of our five senses: sight,
smell, hearing, touch, and taste.

4. Abstract Nouns
More ethereal, theoretical concepts use abstract nouns to refer to them.
Ideas, qualities or conditions like love, hate, power, and time are all
examples of abstract nouns.
• All you need is love.
• There’s so much hate for the new Star Wars trilogy.
• We must use this time wisely.

In these sentences, the abstract nouns refer to concepts or feelings that

cannot be understood concretely or touched physically.

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5. Collective Nouns
are nouns that refer to a group of something in particular. Often, collective
nouns are used to refer to groups of animals. Consider the following
sentences.
• Look at that gaggle of geese.
• There used to be herds of wild buffalo on the prairie.
• A crowd of kids is in the pool today.
• The team did a great job in the competition.

6. Compound Nouns
A compound noun contains two or more words that join together to make
a single noun. Compound nouns can be two words written as one (closed
form), such as softball and toothpaste; words that are hyphenated
(hyphenated form), such as six-pack and son-in-law; or separate words
(open form), such as post office and upper class that go together by
meaning.

Forms of Compound Nouns

1. Solid or Closed Compound
It is a form of compound nouns which does not have a space
or hyphen in between the two words being combined.

beefsteak jellyfish buttermilk milestone

countryside raincoat daybreak sweepstakes
gunpowder wallpaper housewife wheelchair
basketball volleyball playground

2. Hyphenated Compound Nouns

It is a form of compound noun which has a hyphen in
between the two words being combined.

hide-and-seek senator-elect
mini-dictionary sister-in-law
on-the-job-training post-conference

3. Two-word or spaced compounds

It is a form of compound noun which has a space in between
the two words being combined but does not have a hyphen.

common sense nipa hut high school post office

snare drum mother tongue swindow shopping

7. Countable Nouns
Can occur in both single and plural forms, can be modified by numbers,
and can co-occur with quantifying determiners, such as many, most,
more, several, etc.

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For example, the noun bike is a countable noun.

• There is a bike in that garage.
In this example, the word bike is singular because it refers to one bike that
is sitting in a particular garage.
However, “bike” can also occur in the plural form.
• There are six bikes in that garage.
In this example, the plural noun “bikes” refers to more than one bike
because it is being modified by the number six.
In addition, countable nouns can be used with determiners like “several”,
rather than a number.
• In that garage there are several bikes.

8. Uncountable Nouns
On the other hand, some nouns are not countable, you'll see them referred
to as uncountable, non-countable or mass nouns. For example, the word
"clutter" is an uncountable noun.
• The garage is full of clutter.
This sentence makes grammatical sense. However, the following example
does not.
• The garage is full of clutters.
Uncountable nouns usually cannot take plural forms. Therefore, clutters
isn’t grammatical.
Liquids and powders are among the items that are considered mass nouns,
such as milk, rice, wood, sand, water, and flour. Other more abstract
examples that cannot be counted would be air, freedom, or intelligence.

Common Gender Nouns

Here are some examples of common gender nouns that used for both males and
females.
babies Dancers
students Parents
reporters Teachers
singers Engineers
lawyers Artists
spouse Partner
doctor Student
astronaut Chef

Neuter Gender Nouns

Here are some examples of neuter gender nouns that are used for objects and places.
hospital School
knife Chair
cave Floor
phone Fire
pen Stick
book Bag
pencil Crayons

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Cases of Nouns
The case of a noun or pronoun determines how it can be used in a phrase or clause. In
modern English, there are five cases of noun (and pronoun): nominative, objective (or
accusative), dative, vocative and possessive case.

1. Nominative Case - A noun is said to be in the Nominative case if it is the subject of

a verb. (SUBJECT is the person or the thing who or which carries out the action of
the verb in the sentence).
Examples:
Mr. Ram is an intelligent boy.
Mr. Ram is a proper noun in Nominative case.

The painter paints the portraits.

The painter is a common noun in Nominative case.

2. Objective or Accusative Case - Nouns or pronouns are said to be in Objective

cases if they are the direct objects of verbs or if they are the objects of preposition.
(Direct object is the person or the thing upon whom or upon which the action of
the verb is carried out).
Examples:
The vendors sell mangoes.
“Mangoes" is in objective case.

The book is on the table.

“Table" is in objective case.
It is object of the preposition ‘on’.

3. Dative Case - A noun is said to be in dative case if it is the Indirect object of the
verb. (Indirect object of the verb is the noun for whom or for which the action of
the verb is carried out). There should not be a preposition before the indirect
object because in that case it will be the object of that preposition.
Examples:
The teacher gave the students few exercises.
“Students" is in dative case. It is the indirect object of the verb ‘give’.

The Postman brought me a letter.

“Me" is in dative case.

4. Possessive Case - A noun is said to be in possessive case, if it denotes possession or

ownership. A noun or pronoun in the possessive case is governed by the noun that
follows it.
Examples:
John’s sister has been hospitalized.
“John’s" is in possessive case.

Dad’s car is brand new.

“Dad’s” is in possessive case.

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5. Vocative Case - A noun or a pronoun is said to be in Vocative case if it is used to

call (or to get the attention of) a person or persons.
Examples:
Mr. Bill, students are waiting for you in the main hall.
“Mr. Bill" is in vocative case.

Brother, a letter for you.

“Brother" is in vocative case.

Person of Nouns
o First Person refers to the speaker.

I, a teacher, am tasked to improve mankind.

I, her husband, vow to love her until the seas gang dry.

o Second person refers to the person spoken to.

Angelo, kindly remind the officers of the Emergency meeting this

afternoon.
Proceed to Bus number 888, passengers of Florida bound for Tuguegarao.

o Third person refers to the person spoken of.

The Facebook, a social networking site, brings everyone closer in just a

click of a finger.
The e-library allows students to access the libraries around the world.

PRONOUNS
A pronoun is a word used as a substitute for a noun or for a group of words used as a
noun. It may stand for a person, place, thing, or idea.

Types of Pronoun
1. Personal Pronoun – refer mainly to persons.
Case First Person
Singular Plural
Nominative I We
Possessive my, mine our, ours
Objective me Us
Second Person
Nominative you You
Possessive your, yours your, yours
Objective you You
Third Person
Nominative he, she it They
Possessive his, her, hers, its their, theirs
Objective him, her, its Them

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All pronoun under the nominative case are called Subjective Pronouns because they
are used as a subject, subject complement, nominative of address and nominative in
exclamation. All pronouns under the objective case are called Objective Pronouns
because they are used as direct object, indirect object, objective complement, and
object of the preposition. Pronouns under the possessive case are used to refer to
ownership.
• I make impossible things feasible. (Subjective Personal Pronoun)
• Students respect me. (Objective Personal Pronoun)

Note: When you speak for yourself, together with one or more persons, you should
mention yourself last to show courtesy.

2. Indefinite Pronoun – refers to persons, places or things generally.

The following are singular indefinite pronouns:

any anybody another anything each

each one each other everyone everybody everything
nobody one no one not one someone
either neither something none

• Each of the mothers wants to have a successful child.

• Anyone of you can borrow books and research in the e-library.
• Someone needs my words of encouragement.
The following are plural indefinite pronouns:
both few many several

• Both gave their all just to grab the “Apprentice Asia” Award.
• Many were enrolled in short-degree courses.
• Only a few continue to pursue their higher studies.

The following are either singular or plural indefinite pronouns:

All any more most none some plenty

• Some of the salad has been eaten by the guest.

• Some of the visitors arrive by bus.
3. Compound Personal Pronouns – are pronouns formed by adding “self” or “selves” to
some personal pronouns.
Singular Plural
First Person myself Ourselves
Second Person yourself Yourselves
Third Person himself, herself, itself Themselves

A compound personal pronoun is either reflexive or intensive pronoun.

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A pronoun referring to the subject of the sentence, clause, or verbal phrase in

which it stands is a reflexive pronoun. In other words, it is a pronoun that refers back to
the subject, and it is used when the subject and the object are the same identity.
• They believe in themselves.
• Cheever bought the house for himself.
An intensive pronoun is used to emphasize a noun or a pronoun. It immediately
follows a noun or a personal pronoun (subject form only), or is placed at the end of the
sentence.
• I myself edited the short story.
• They themselves built the hut.
4. Interrogative Pronouns – are used in asking questions. They often begin an
interrogative sentence.
who why whose to what what how

when to which which whom to whom where

• What is the theme of the 14th Founding Anniversary of ELJMC?

• Who are the characters in the epic movie Odyssey?
• Which do you love to do more, reading books or watching movies?
• To whom did you specifically address the letter?
6. Relative Pronouns – introduce a subordinate clause qualifying an expressed or
implied antecedent.

Compound Relative Pronoun

Whatever whenever wherever whichever whoever whomever
Relative Pronouns
that what when where which who whom

• Brenda is the woman who changed my world.

• The face that launched a thousand ships is Helen.
• The day when I first set my foot at ELJMC grounds was memorable.
• The chicks go wherever the hen goes.
6. Demonstrative Pronouns – point to a person or a thing.
• This is the place where I truly belong.
• Those are the rooms they reserved for the athletes.
• That is my collection of speeches.
• These are the documents the accreditors wanted to see.
7. Reciprocal Pronouns – refer to compound indefinites “each other” and “one
another” for they denote reciprocity of action or feeling. Each other is used for two
subjects/ units and one another is used for more than two subjects/ units.
• People need to love one another.
• We have to give each other some space.
8. Possessive Pronouns – show ownership.
• Those fancy bags and new clothes are hers.
• This ACER laptop is mine.
9. Distributive Pronouns – refer to people or things taken one by one.

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• Every designated official in the campus is expected to perform his/her duties to

the best of his/her responsibilities.
• Each of the employees wears his/her formal suit during the awards night.

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
Pronoun-antecedent agreement refers to the pronoun having the appropriate case,
number, and gender for its antecedent or the word it refers to.
Rules:
1. Pronouns must agree with their antecedents in number, person, and gender.
• John is very diligent in his studies.
• Joanna wants her assignment to be rated excellent.
• The students came to school with their parents.
2. With compound subjects joined by or/nor, the referent pronoun agrees with the
antecedent closer to the pronoun.
• The teacher or the students wanted their money back
• The students or the teacher wanted his or her money back.
3. Use a plural personal pronoun with two or more antecedents joined by and.
• My wife and I have planned to celebrate our 2nd wedding anniversary in
Palawan.
• The student-leaders and advisers had their seminar in Andrews Campus.
4. Use a plural personal pronoun when the antecedent is a plural indefinite
pronoun.
• All wanted their dreams to be realized.
• Both parties had already presented their platforms.
5. When the antecedent is each, either, or neither followed by a plural modifier, a
singular personal pronoun is preferred.
• Neither of the women would admit her mistake.
• Each of the boys bought his guitar for the audition.
6. When the antecedent is everybody, each, either, everyone, neither, nobody, a
person, a singular pronoun is needed.
• Everyone has his/her reason for not attending the program.
• Each has his/her own weaknesses, flaws and oddities.
7. When the antecedent is a collective noun, the pronoun may either be singular or
plural depending or whether the group is thought of as a unit or as individuals.
• The family had its outing in Boracay.
• The family are arguing on their new business.

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APPLY
Cut out images of nouns and paste it here. Label the noun found with its name and then
using parentheses, list down possible pronouns which can be used to replace the name.

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ASSESS
Classify the nouns in each sentence by writing them under the specified headings.

1. Dr. Ranjo talked with the council of the barangay.

2. The trainer of the troupe, Mr. Iquin, scolded all of them.
3. Enrique Gil waved at the crowd gathering in the streets.
4. The committee assembled at ACC Conference Hall to discuss about the program.
5. A bouquet of flowers was given to the newly-crowned queen, Miss Rica Macafruit.
6. A 6-year old drummer boy amused the crowd with his astounding performance.
7. A box of jewelry was returned by a tricycle driver out of conscience.
8. Cooperation is what the speaker needs from the audience.
9. The participants want an honest evaluation from the jury.
10. The army agrees with the principle of the new Commander-in-chief.

Common Proper Collective

1
2
3
4
5
Abstract Concrete Collective
6
7
8
9
10

Give the case and function of the underlined noun in each of the following sentences.

Case Function Sentence

1. The English instructor has started testing the students’
learnings in Grammar through written and oral recitations.
2. The newly-elected mayor of Gen. M. Natividad gave the
typhoon victims a truckload of relief goods.
3. The tarsier, the smallest monkey in the world in now an
endangered animal.
4. Research enthusiasts attended the National Teachers’
Congress at the Nueva Ecija Convention Center.
5. My favorite instructor is Sir Rael, an English instructor.
6. The students elected Mr. Edmark Jumabong President of
the Supreme Student Council of ELJMC.
7. Mr. Gamit, prepare yourself for the demonstration
teaching.
8. Our Father in heaven casts a loving eye on His children.

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9. A package of loans and benefits was granted to the

member of the organization.
10. Dr. Lorenzo, the College Dean of Academic Affairs,
arrived at the conference hall ahead of the faculty
members.

Analyze the underlined noun in each sentence to fill in the table under the correct
heading.

1. The lady-manager convened all the area supervisors for an emergency meeting.
2. The students who had scholarship were given orientation by the coordinator.
3. I, the debutant, wanted blue and white motif.
4. The guidance counselor gave Marlon and John an admission slip.
5. The fraternity debate on the pro’s and con’s of the new recruitment policy.
6. Angelo, remind the officer regarding the Loyalty Day tomorrow.
7. Ballesteros Bus Line is the official carrier of the delegates to the SCUAA meet.
8. The students and teachers joined the opening program of the Municipal Town Fiesta.
9. Through the open field and grassy ran the cadets and cadettes.
10. The ladies’ dormitory-Camia, is a stone’s throw from here.

Number Gender Case-Function Person

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Identify whether the underlined pronoun in each sentence is personal, demonstrative,

indefinite, interrogative, possessive, reciprocal, distributive, reflexive, intensive, or
relative. Write your answer on the space provided.

1. Basics of English grammar is the book that she has been looking
for.
2. The mortal enemies, Izza and Jen, incidentally met each other at
Robinson’s Cabanatuan City.
3. The poet who said, “No man is an island entire of itself” is John
Donne.
4. This land is ours, and nobody can take it away from us.
5. Few were chosen to represent the campus in the NECSL.

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6. Those were the accomplishments of the previous administration.

7. Who wishes to be the next faculty club president?

8. That was an extra-ordinary achievement.

9. Ms. Casta, are these the class cards you are looking for?

10. Everybody is given task to accomplish.

Rewrite the sentences using a subject pronoun in place of the underlined nouns.

1. My dog can perform basic tricks.

2. Lorna and Merly have promised to help me improve the book.

3. You, Fina, and Jeremy should take turns in taking care of Orens.

4. Ace, Arnold, and I have to plan together for the success of the NSTP Anti-drugs and
Anti-terrorism seminar.

5. Mr. Simbulan should behave in class.

Encircle the most appropriate indefinite pronoun to complete the meaning of each of the
following sentences.

1. Human beings should not complain about (nothing, anything) that God allows to
happen to us.

2. (Someone, Something) has forgotten his bag in the conference room.

3. (Anything, Anybody) who wants to reap flowers and fruits should start planting good
seeds now.

4. (Both, Either) of the finalists deserve to take home the 1M pesos.

5. (All, Everyone) has the freedom to enjoy the right to life, liberty, and property.

6. (No one, Nothing) is impossible when done with love.

7. I searched for the nearest and cheapest restaurant available near Eduardo L. Joson
Memorial College, but I found (one, none)

8. (One, Some) of their religious beliefs are practices seem to perplex me.

9. “Mr Gamit, are you sure (anybody, nobody) was offended by my privilege speech?”,
she asked.

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10. (Someone, Many) still believe in superstitions despite modernization on almost all
aspects of human activities.

Fill in the blanks with the correct demonstrative pronoun.

A. (this, these)

1. proves the rapid progress of the community.

2. Were pointed out in the third stanza of the narrative poem?
3. Are equally divided among the recipients of the program?
4. reach up to Palayan City.
5. Is the song that is viral on the internet.

B. (that, those)

1. Were the instructors and professors trying to oust the Campus Executive
Officer?
2. proves that nothing is permanent.
3. were all distributed to the farmers in the Province of Nueva Ecija.
4. go with the other packages for the typhoon victims.
5. was his greatest achievement.

Encircle the correct compound relative pronoun to complete each sentence.

1. Listen to (whatever, wherever) the speaker says.

2. The reward will be given to (whichever, whoever) gets the highest score.

3. You must obey (whoever, whichever) is in the higher position.

4. (Whichever, Whoever) program you watch, you will be entertained.

5. The old man was grateful to (whoever, whomever) helped him cross the street.

6. (Wherever, Whenever) you go, the hands of the law will run after you.

7. (Whoever, Whenever) comes to you for help, extend your hands.

8. (People should appreciate (whichever, whatever) their neighbors do for them.

9. (Wherever, Whenever) I go to Manila, I find time to visit my grandparents.

10. (Whatever, Whichever) money you have, spend it for your school needs.

Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate compound personal pronoun. After aech
sentence, tell whether it is reflexive or intensive.

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1. Jennifer has had mystic experiences at various times in her life.

2. Since listening is a valuable skill, students should train to do it.

3. I told , “I can do it.”

4. There is one painting I did . It is posted in my room.

5. Joshua kept telling that he was not afraid of ghosts.

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