Pronoun Trouble

The Story of Us in Seven Little Words

By: John McWhorter

Narrated by: John McWhorter

With his trademark humor and flair, bestselling linguist John McWhorter busts the myths and shares the history of the most controversial language topic of our times: pronouns

The nature of language is to shift and evolve—but every so often, a new usage creates a whole lot of consternation. These days, pronouns are throwing curveballs, and it matters, because pronoun habits die hard. If you need a refresher from eighth-grade English: Pronouns are short, used endlessly, and serve to point and direct, to orient us as to what is meant about who. Him, not her. Me, not you. Pronouns get a heavy workout, and as such, they become part of our hardwiring. To mess with our pronouns is to mess with us.

But many of today’s hot-button controversies are nonsense. The singular they has been with us since the 1400s and appears in Shakespeare’s works. In fact, many of the supposedly iron-clad rules of grammar are up for debate (Billy and me went to the store is perfectly logical!), and with tasty trivia, unexpected twists, and the weird quirks of early and contemporary English, John McWhorter guides readers on a journey of how our whole collection of these little words emerged and has changed over time.

the single best linguistics book I've ever read

John McWhorter has done it again. if you think you're coming in just for a linguistics lesson about pronouns, you'll be surprised at how much you learn about history, geography, human migration, gender, problems, and solutions! again, I cannot stress enough how much John McWhorter has changed my life, and this book is just the best one he's done so far!

another great offering

i enjoyed this look at pronouns he starts with a historical look and then moves onto the current discussions around pronouns.

Entertaining and enlightening

Mcwhorter is the best at explaining and entertaining at the same time. Love all his books.

Daffy would be so proud!

From the moment I heard the author discussing this book with Adam Grant, I KNEW I had to get it! Full disclosure, I’m probably not smart enough for this book - but I learned a lot and had so many enjoyable moments.

Recommended for McWhorter fans

If you're already a fan of McWhorter, you'll likely enjoy this book also. If you're not, start with one of his wonderful Great Courses instead. Or Nine Nasty Words.