Chapter XLVIII: Adjective Pronouns

=180.= When we say, “This ring was my mother’s,” we use the word _this_ as an adjective modifying the noun _ring_. When we say, “This was my mother’s ring,” we use the one word _this_ in place of _this ring_ as subject of the sentence, hence _this_ is no longer an adjective, but has become a pronoun. Since its ordinary use is that of an adjective, we call it an =adjective pronoun=.

Many limiting adjectives may be used as pronouns. We often make such sentences as these:—

_Few_ shall part where _many_ meet.

If honor is lost, then _all_ is lost.

When _two_ or _three_ are gathered together in Thy name, Thou
wilt grant their requests.

=181.= The commonest adjective pronouns are _all_, _any_, _each_, _either_, _few_, _first_, _former_, _last_, _little_, _many_, _more_, _most_, _much_, _neither_, _one_, _other_, _several_, _some_, _this_, _that_, _these_, _those_.

Make sentences containing five of these adjective pronouns.

=182.= Two adjective pronouns, _one_ and _other_, may be declined.

_Singular_ _Plural_ _Singular_ _Plural_

_Nom._ one ones other others
_Poss._ one’s ones’ other’s others’
_Obj._ one ones other others

Sentences like these are common:—

One sometimes tires of _one’s_ occupation.

Each envied the _other’s_ good fortune.

The two adjective pronouns, _one_ and _other_, may be modified by adjectives; as, “Many others came,” “The green ones are the prettiest.”

_Each other_ and _one another_, though consisting of two words, may be considered as one adjective pronoun.

=183.= Some adjective pronouns may be modified by articles. We say, “_The last_ is the best of all the game,” “I like gooseberries, so I picked _a few_.”

=Summary.=—An =adjective pronoun= is a limiting adjective used in place of a noun.

The adjective pronouns _one_ and _other_ may be declined.

Some adjective pronouns may be modified by adjectives.

=Exercise.=—Select the adjective pronouns in these sentences. Tell the use and case of each. Tell the noun that each pronoun stands for. Supply this noun where you can. What part of speech does the adjective pronoun become then?

1. This is the story of a bad boy.

2. Many of the protozoa are very beautiful. Some build shells
for themselves of strange and curious shapes.

3. The ham turned out to be a very remarkable one.

4. There is a vast difference between the styles of 1860 and
1900. The former favored Paisley shawls and flounced skirts,
the latter sanctioned the tailor-made suit and the shirt waist.

5. A little made us very happy once.

6. From time to time one or another of the leaping rabbits
would take himself off through the fir trees, while others
continued to arrive along the moonlight trails.

7. All is of God that is or is to be.

8. A bluejay and a red squirrel were loudly berating each other
for stealing.

9. The convenience of resting one’s self in the open air is one
of the comforts of Paris.

10. Each of these was a wolf of renown; most of them were
above the ordinary size; one in particular, the second in
command, was a veritable giant. Several of the band were
especially noted. One of them was a beautiful white wolf, that
the Mexicans called Blanca; this was supposed to be a female,
possibly Lobo’s mate. Another was a yellow wolf of remarkable
swiftness.

11. It is not easy to change one’s life all in a minute.

12. It is a blessed fact that one’s own home is the hub of the
universe.

13. Every one said that I was a tomboy.

14. Some wore short doublets, others jerkins, with long knives
in their belts, and most of them had enormous breeches of
similar style with that of the guide’s.

15. The years hurry onward, treading in their haste on one
another’s heels.

What noun is understood after _guide’s_ in sentence 14?