Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite Pronouns

Pronouns replace nouns to avoid their repetition. The nouns we replace with the pronouns can be specific, non-specific, possessive, etc. The pronouns that replace specific nouns are well known. Everyone knows and can use them easily and correctly. In this article, we are going to discuss indefinite pronouns in detail.

What are Indefinite Pronouns?

Indefinite pronouns replace unspecific persons, places, or things. Indefinite pronouns refer to persons, places, or things that are not specific; they refer to vague things. You can use indefinite pronouns when you don’t want nouns to be specified.

• Everyone in the class has done his homework.

“Everyone” is the indefinite pronoun. It does not refer to a specific student. Everyone can be John, Lisa, Mike, etc. Here, “everyone” does not refer to one specific person.

Singular Indefinite Pronouns

A singular indefinite pronoun refers to a single unspecific person, place, or thing. It replaces a single and unspecified person, place, or thing. A singular indefinite pronoun represents one or functions like a collective noun. Consequently, it takes a singular verb.

• Everyone looked happy at the festival.
• We judged everything in their speeches.
• One should be at the gate to welcome the guests.

List of Singular Indefinite Pronouns and Examples

Everybody	Everybody must bring his laptop for the presentation.
Everything	Everything will be available in our new supermarket.
Everyone	If you want to be respected, you should respect everyone.
Anybody	We don’t have anybody in our office.
Anything	Do we have anything special to eat today?
Anyone	Was there anyone in the office?
Somebody	There will be somebody to help you.
Something	I will buy something of value for him.
Someone	Someone called me and called for help.
Nobody	Nobody is allowed to cross the border without a visa.
Nothing	I am free and have nothing to do at this time.
No One	No one will help you when you are in bad condition.
Each	Each of the students has done his homework.
Either	I cannot compare these two cars. Either is suitable.
Neither	I will call both tomorrow.
Little	We had little to eat at that time.
Less	I want to say less because time is short.
Much	We ate much because the food was so tasty.
One	One must work hard to gain expertise in a field.
Another	I took just one cup of tea. Can I take another?
Other	There are two options. One option is going to a swimming pool, and the other is eating out.
Enough	We have little sugar. We must have enough.

 

Plural Indefinite Pronouns

A plural indefinite pronoun refers to more than one unspecific person, place, or thing. It replaces more than one unspecified person, place, or thing. A plural indefinite pronoun represents more than one and takes a plural verb.

• I saw few coming towards us.
• Both have been summoned to the court.

List of Plural Indefinite Pronouns and Examples

Few	There was a crowd of people, but few were serious.
Fewer	Fewer are the serious supporters these days.
Several	I tried to convince all, but several were convinced.
Many	There are few posts. Many have applied for them.
Others	I will tell my friends, but what about the others?
Both	I have two sons. Both are geniuses and hard workers.

 

Both Singular and Plural Indefinite Pronouns

There are some pronouns that can be singular and plural. One of these can be singular in one context, and the same pronoun can be plural in another.

• We had called all, but some attended the party.
• We had prepared a big cake; they ate all happily.  

List of Pronouns That Can Be Singular and Plural and Examples

Some	Bring the cake and give some to them. Some of the students have come without their uniforms.
More	Take care of the water. More is wasted. Look at the cars. More are black.
Most	Most of the cake has been eaten. Most are my friends in that office.
All	What about the cake? Did you eat all? All of the students are present today.
Any	Have you set aside any of that? I have not met any.
None	I requested their consideration, but they gave none.  None of the seven candidates are eligible.

 

Subject Verb Agreement

 We discussed earlier that we have both singular and plural pronouns. When a pronoun is the subject, you have to check whether it is singular or plural. If the pronoun is singular, it takes a singular verb. If the pronoun is plural, it takes a plural verb.

• Where is John? Someone is calling him.
• There are twenty students, but none have secured 90% marks.

Cases of Indefinite Pronouns

An indefinite pronoun does not have a subjective or objective case. You can use the same form of an indefinite pronoun whether it is a subject or an object.

• I will give the letters to someone later.
• Someone has recently reminded me that we have a meeting today.

Frequently Asked Questions on Indefinite Pronouns

Do we use a singular or plural verb after none?

The word “none” replaces countable and uncountable nouns. When it replaces an uncountable noun, it takes a singular verb. When it replaces a countable noun, it takes a plural verb.

• None of the pizza is left.
• None of my friends will tease you.

Do we use modifiers with the indefinite pronouns?

Yes, we use adjectives, phrases, or clauses as modifiers with indefinite pronouns.

• Did anyone else ask a question?
• All of the invitation cards have been sent.
• All that you gave me is not enough.

Related Topics:

• Pronoun
• Cases of Pronouns
• Types of Pronouns
• Relative Pronouns