Pro-forms
Understanding pronouns enable us to understand pro-forms in English very well. Pro-forms are alternatives that are put in the position of words, phrases, etc.
What Are Pro-forms?
What Are Different Types of Pro-forms?
There are different types of pro-forms in English grammar. So follow the article to get to know each of them, one by one.
Pronouns
'pronouns' replace nouns to avoid unnecessary repetitions. It is important to know that you will always need an antecedent for the pronoun to refer back to it. Here are a few examples:
Isaac and Ross hit
(You) look at
Marco said
Pro-interrogatives
'Interrogative pro-forms' are used in questions and stand for the item that is being questioned. There are five main interrogative pro-forms in English:
'who' acting as a pro-interrogative
Any as a Pro-form
We can use the term 'any' as the pro-form that stands for a word, phrase, or even a clause. Usually, it refers to a quantity or amount of something. Check out the examples:
They told me to take some red fresh apples with me but unfortunately I couldn't buy
Here the word 'any' is the substitute for the phrase 'red fresh apples.'
I wanted to drink coffee but I couldn't get
Here the term 'any' refer back to the word 'coffee.'
Some as a Pro-form
'some' is used as a pro-form that stands for a word, phrase, or clause. It usually refers back to a quantity or amount. Here are some examples:
Do you like tea? Here! Drink
Do we need maps? I think we may have
Do So as a Pro-form
The phrase 'do so' is used as a pro-form that stands for a clause. Here are some examples that can help you understand:
It said I had to add the eggs and I
You told me to dedicate my life to what I love and I will
Each, Some, Either, Neither, Both, None as Pro-forms
'Each, either, neither, none' are not necessarily pronouns but when it comes to pro-forms they are usually used as pronouns in a sentence. These words are put in the sentence to represent an antecedent. For example:
We took a bar of chocolate
Maria and Hanna are best friends, but
There were two bars of chocolate and
The Same as pro-form
The phrase 'the same' can be used as a pro-form to refer back to a phrase or clause. Usually, it is used to indicate approval. Check out the examples:
She will have salad and I'll have
He loves me and I feel
Partitives as Pro-forms
'Partitives' usually refer to a particular amount of something, whether they are definite or indefinite amounts. All kinds of partitives can be used alone to stand for a phrase.
I love strawberry cakes. Can I have a
The doctor told that I have had too much bread in the last two years, so, now I am just allowed to have a
Demonstratives as Pro-forms
'Demonstratives' can be used as pro-forms to refer to a clause, phrase, or word. But usually, they are used as a substitute for a clause. Here are the examples:
Ernest tells mean things to others.
You are too kind and
Too and Either as Pro-forms
Sometimes when we want to approve that a clause is correct for us as well, we use 'either' and 'too'. 'Either' is used to say a negative clause is true for someone and 'too' is used to confirm an affirmative clause.
I think he was a good person,
'Ah, I hate this man.' 'You know, I don't like him
Pro-adverbs
Pro-adverbs are used as an alternative for an adverb phrase or word or even a clause. Let us take a look at the examples:
I am going to the party because my girlfriend is
My house is warm and friendly; that's why he likes it in
Review
Pro-forms are used alternatively for other words, phrases, or clauses. remember pro-forms cannot be used alone when there is not any background for the information. check out the list below to get to know different types of pro-forms.
- pronouns
- pro-interrogatives
- pro-adverbs
- pro-demonstratives
- pro-partitives
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