Indefinite Pronouns

 

Definition

An indefinite Pronoun is a type of pronoun used to take a place of unspecified person or thing.

Example

Nobody is ready to help you.

We ate nothing.

These examples introduce different indefinite Pronouns taking respectively the place of unspecific person, and thing. They are successively used as the subject and object of the sentences above without specifying a particular person or thing. 

The most common indefinite pronouns are listed in the following table :

	Indefinite Pronouns
	Singular	Plural	Singular/Plural
Only with people	anybody anyone everybody everyone Somebody Someone nobody no one you	they
Only with things	something anything everything little less much nothing such this enough		such
Both with people and things	other one each either another	few fewer several others both many	neither more none some plenty most all any

The usage of indefinite pronouns

First, an indefinite pronoun can be used either as singular or plural. However, it can also be treated as a singular in one context and as a plural in another.

Example

• Everyone has followed the scenes with passion.

In this example, the indefinite pronoun 'everyone' means 'all people' functioning as a single unite. Hence, it is a singular indefinite pronoun which must agree with the linguistic elements forming that sentence (e.g. verb and pronoun).

• Many are not satisfied with the new president.

In this example, the indefinite pronoun 'many' means 'a large number of people'. It is a plural indefinite pronoun that must agree with the verb and other parts of the sentence.

• All thinks that the boy was wrong to treat his mother improperly.
• All have to say something about Mother's Day.

In these examples, the indefinite pronoun 'all' means 'the whole quantity of people'. The pronoun 'all' refers to unspecific set of people working as a single unite, so the verb 'think' is made in singular form ; by contrary , in the second example, the word 'all' also refers to unspecified set of people functioning individually. Consequently, the verb 'have' made in plural form.

Second, there are indefinite pronouns which may take either the place of unspecified things or people, but others can be the substitutes to both of them.

Example 

• Did anyone interest in  your profile?

'Anyone' indicates unspecified person. It means 'no matter what person'.

• Would you like someone to help your father going to the hospital?

'Someone' refers to unspecific person. It means ' unnamed person'.

• Hannah's father has made enough for his entire family.

'Enough' indicates unspecified thing. It means 'as much as needed' .

• When she started her new job, she realized that she knows very little about it.

'Little' refers to unspecific thing . It means 'a small amount'.

• Each has discussed the topic sentence in particular way.

'Each' indicates unspecified group of people. It means 'two or more people functioning separately'.

• 'Each looks old in this house,' she told her mother.

'Each' refers to unspecific set of things. It means 'two or more things functioning individually'.

Note: 

When an indefinite pronoun is paired with a noun , in this case, it is called indefinite adjective. For example:

• John has brought another grammar book to her daughter.

'Another' is indefinite adjective . It means 'an additional or different book'.

Exercises

Exercise (1)

What is the function of an indefinite pronoun?

1. Helping a sentence to function properly in grammatical context
2. Replacing an antecedent where both of them mutually receiving the action of the verb in the same way
3. Providing a sentence with essential information
4. Replacing a noun without specifying a particular person or thing that is being represented

Identify the plural indefinite pronouns used to refer to both people and things

1. Nobody
2. Anyone
3. Much
4. Many
5. Both

The indefinite pronoun 'plenty' can be used:

1. Only in singular context
2. Only in plural context
3. Both in singular or plural context
4. None of the above

The indefinite pronoun 'enough' can refer to 

1. things
2. People
3. People and things

Identify the indefinite adjective among the following 

1. More 
2. Several reasons
3. Mine 
4. It

Exercise (2)

Fill in the blanks with the suitable indefinite pronoun

1. Do you know .................................... about this amazing place? (anything/nothing)
2. Anna said ....................................  about your suggestion. (plenty/nothing)
3. .................................... is welcome at our party. (everything/everybody)
4. .................................... forgot his key on the desk. (They/somebody)
5. This piece of cake is very delicious. May we have .................................... ?(another/someone) 

Answer key

Exercise (1)

4

4-5

3

1

2

Exercise (2)

anything, nothing, everybody, somebody, another