0
Notwen Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
Can "my" be called a pronoun ?
Hello,
in a children language exercise we can read :
Choose the right pronoun to complete the sentence :
(Me/My/She) hands are useful.
The correct answer is obviously My.
But can it be called a pronoun ?
I'm familiar with my native French grammar, we call pronom a word that replaces a noun (nom). Does the noun pronoun have a more extended sense in English ?
Thank you for your help,
Jerome
in a children language exercise we can read :
Choose the right pronoun to complete the sentence :
(Me/My/She) hands are useful.
The correct answer is obviously My.
But can it be called a pronoun ?
I'm familiar with my native French grammar, we call pronom a word that replaces a noun (nom). Does the noun pronoun have a more extended sense in English ?
Thank you for your help,
Jerome
Top answer
'My' (possessive adjective) is the possessive form of 'I' - belonging to me. 'Mine' is the personal pronoun commonly used. In French you would use mon/ma/mes (for 'my').
- 'My' (possessive adjective) is the possessive form of 'I' - belonging to me.
- 'Mine' is the personal pronoun commonly used.
- In French you would use mon/ma/mes (for 'my').
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
46 Answers
0
'My' (possessive adjective) is the possessive form of 'I' - belonging to me.
'Mine' is the personal pronoun commonly used.
In French you would use mon/ma/mes (for 'my').
'Mine' is the personal pronoun commonly used.
In French you would use mon/ma/mes (for 'my').
00
Sure, I know all this.
Then you think it is a mistake to call it a pronoun ?
There is no significative difference between the meaning of pronom and pronoun in French and English ?
I only would like to know if some English native speakers could agree to call it a pronoun.
Then you think it is a mistake to call it a pronoun ?
There is no significative difference between the meaning of pronom and pronoun in French and English ?
I only would like to know if some English native speakers could agree to call it a pronoun.
00
Pronom in French is the same as pronoun in English.
Mine - possessive pronoun (used instead of a noun)
My - possessive adjective (usually used to describe a noun which is why it comes before a noun, like other adjectives)
Mine - possessive pronoun (used instead of a noun)
My - possessive adjective (usually used to describe a noun which is why it comes before a noun, like other adjectives)
00
Yes, "My" is a pronoun in the possessive form. You can also call it a "Possessive Personal Pronoun". So english speakers (who know something about grammar) would definitely call it a pronoun. If they don't, ask someone else.
00
Hello Ed,
thank you for your answer.
It seems then that the meaning of this word is significatively different in English and in French.
Coul you explain more extensively what pronoun means in English ?
I know only the French meanings : A pronom replaces a nom, an adjectif qualifies a nom. The difference is absolutely clear, adjectifs an
thank you for your answer.
It seems then that the meaning of this word is significatively different in English and in French.
Coul you explain more extensively what pronoun means in English ?
I know only the French meanings : A pronom replaces a nom, an adjectif qualifies a nom. The difference is absolutely clear, adjectifs an
00
That's a question. Before any native speakers' responses, I'd like to list out what I've checked out in some dictionaries:
American heritage: adj & interj
Cambridge Advanced Learner's: determiner & exclamation (old exclamation)
Oxford English Dict.: 1?****.:The possessive genitive of I 2?my!
Concise English-Chinese: **** and int
American heritage: adj & interj
Cambridge Advanced Learner's: determiner & exclamation (old exclamation)
Oxford English Dict.: 1?****.:The possessive genitive of I 2?my!
Concise English-Chinese: **** and int
00
It seems that native speakers as well as dictionnaries don't agree : some call my an adjective (or determiner, which is very similar), some call it a pronoun, even though it doesn't replace any noun.
I would be glad to read other native speakers on this issue.
Or even non-native, if they remember what their English teachers taught them.
I would be glad to read other native speakers on this issue.
Or even non-native, if they remember what their English teachers taught them.
00
my, her, our . . . possessive adjective (or determiner)
mine, hers, ours . . . possessive pronoun
http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/possessive-adjective.html
mine, hers, ours . . . possessive pronoun
http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/possessive-adjective.html
00
To summarize, at least two primary school teachers in my daughter's school and Ed here call my a pronoun. This seems enough to say that some native speakers use the word pronoun for my.
On the other hand, apart from a few dictionnary entries, most of the grammar websites use pronoun only in the strict meaning of what replaces a noun. Therefore, it seem
On the other hand, apart from a few dictionnary entries, most of the grammar websites use pronoun only in the strict meaning of what replaces a noun. Therefore, it seem
00
NotwenNow I have to think about what to say, or not to say, to my daughter's teacher. Perhaps I could explain her that I would prefer my daughter to know and respect the meaning of the word pronoun.explain to her
0
Related Questions