Parts of Speech:
What is an indefinite pronoun?
An indefinite pronoun is a word that refers to a non-specific person or a non-specific thing. Indefinite pronouns are frequently used when the identity of a person or thing is unknown or difficult to state.
COMMON INDEFINITE PRONOUNS
all, another, any, anyone, anything, each, everybody, everything, few, many, nobody, nothing, none, one, several, some, somebody, something
Specific Noun
- That slice of pie was amazing.
- Would you like cream in your coffee?
- Did you win a prize?
- The parents and children are happy.
- Charles doesn’t have shoes.
- Charles only has sandals.
- What is going to happen?
Indefinite Noun
- I’ll have another please.
- No, I won’t have any today.
- No, I didn’t win anything.
- Everyone in the home is happy.
- There are none in his closet.
- He has several.
- Something is going to happen.
How are indefinite pronouns that begin with every, no, some and any used?
INDEFINITE PEOPLE
everybody | everyone
nobody | no-one
somebody | someone
anybody | anyone
INDEFINITE THINGS
everything
nothing
something
anything
Indefinite pronouns beginning with every identify all persons or things. (everybody, everyone, everything)
Indefinite pronouns beginning with no identify no persons or things. (nobody, no-one, nothing)
Indefinite pronouns beginning with some and any identify 1 or more (unknown) persons or things. (somebody, someone, something, anybody, anywhere, anything)
Noun
- We found all of the guests outside.
- We found none of the guests inside.
- We didn’t find a guest upstairs.
- We did find a guest in the garage.
Indefinite Pronoun
- We found everyone outside.
- We found nobody inside.
- We didn’t find anyone upstairs.
- We did find someone in the garage.
SOME-
Indefinite pronouns with Some are common in statements and questions.
ANY-
Indefinite pronouns with Any are common in negative statements and questions.
Indefinite Pronoun
- I need everything put away now.
- You put nothing away this morning.
- I don’t want to see anything in the sink.
- Did you put something in the dishwasher?
Noun
- I need all the pots and dishes put away now.
- You put none of the pots and dishes away this morning.
- I don’t want to see a dish in the sink.
- Did you put a dish in the dishwasher?
Which verb form point of view is used with an indefinite pronoun subject?
First person singular verb forms are used with indefinite pronouns as subjects. Though everyone and everything may refer to more than one person or thing, we still use the 3rd person singular verb form.
Plural Verb Form
- The parents, teachers and students are happy.
- No students walk to school in the winter.
- Any of the screws fit in that hole.
- Some of boxes over there have old screws.
Singular Verb Form
- Everyone is happy.
- Nobody walks to school in the winter.
- Anything fits in that hole.
- Something over there has old screws.
