In linguistics and grammar, a pronoun is a pro-form that substitutes for a noun phrase. The replaced phrase is normally the antecedent of the pronoun. For example, consider the sentence "John gave the coat to Alice." Any of the three nouns in the sentence can be replaced by personal pronouns to give: "He gave it to her." If the coat, John, and Alice have been previously mentioned, the listener can deduce to what the pronouns he, it and her refer and understand the meaning of the sentence.
A pronoun can also be precedent, as "He" is in the sentence: "He gave it to her, John did."
The use of pronouns is particularly welcome when it prevents repetitions. For example "John bought the coat. Then John gave the coat to Alice." can be expressed more effectively by "John took the coat. Then he gave it to Alice."
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Philosophy of Language :: Philosophy

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Footnotes: Pronouns - A transgendered person examines several systems of gender-free pronouns. Possibilities include the singular they, the phrase he or she, and the Spivak Varient.
Gender Exclusive Language - Learn six strategies to avoid using gender-specific pronouns.
Gender Fair Language - Jenny Redfern discusses how to minimize sexist language while neither violating English grammar nor using gender-neutral pronouns.
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Gender in Language - In light of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, this essay examines if gender-neutral language should be used to describe all people in male-dominated fields.
Gender-Neutral Pronoun Frequently Asked Questions - A comprehensive discussion of gender-neutral/gender-free pronouns in English over the centuries, such as 'sie', 'hir', 'ey', 'zie', singular their, and many others.
Meta Description: [ A comprehensive discussion of gender-neutral/gender-free pronouns in English over the centuries, such as 'sie', 'hir', 'ey', 'zie', singular their, and many others. ]
Some Notes on Gender-Neutral Language - Carolyn Jacobson, a Ph. D. candidate who studies Victorian English literature, provides this handout about the history of pronoun usage.
The History and Status of Singular Their (with Examples) - A discussion of the traditional and established use of they/their as indefinite genderless pronouns by Jane Austen and other well-known authors.
Thon - The history and usage of thon as a genderless pronoun derived from that one is described.
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