Indefinite pronouns

1. Concept of Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns are words that do not refer specifically to any particular person or thing but rather indicate something in a general sense.

Some common indefinite pronouns include somebody, anything, and all.

2. Positions of Indefinite Pronouns

As a type of pronoun, indefinite pronouns can appear in the following positions:

• Subject
• Object
• After a preposition (in a prepositional phrase)

Examples:

• Subject: Everybody is here.
• Object: He invited everybody to his birthday party.
• After a preposition: He lied to everybody in the office.

He invited everybody to his birthday party.

3. Indefinite Pronouns in English

✅ Summary:

• When using indefinite pronouns in English, pay attention to whether a singular or plural verb is appropriate for the pronoun.
• Some pronouns require singular verbs, some require plural verbs, and some can take either depending on the context.
• We can use the structure Indefinite pronoun + OF + Noun phrase to make the meaning clearer.
• The noun phrase must include a determiner such as the or a possessive adjective (my, your, their ...).

Table of Indefinite Pronouns in English

Regarding the above words:

• Pronouns in the "Singular Pronouns for People" and "Singular Pronouns for Things" columns use singular verbs.
• Pronouns in the "Pronouns for Two People or Things" column use plural verbs (except either and neither, which use singular verbs).
• Pronouns in the "Singular or Plural Pronouns" column use singular or plural verbs depending on the context:
  • Use a singular verb if the pronoun refers to an uncountable noun. Example: Some was added later, if some refers to sugar, an uncountable noun.
  • Use a plural verb if the pronoun refers to a plural noun. Example: Some were added later, if some refers to words, a plural noun.
  • For the pronoun none:
    • Replacing an uncountable noun: use a singular verb.
    • Replacing a plural noun: use either a singular or plural verb.
  • Others and the others only use plural verbs.

How to Use Indefinite Pronouns

Examples:

• Everybody is waiting for the bus.
  
• If you need anything, just let me know.
  
• Neither wanted to go home.
  
• Some didn't finish their homework.
  

4. Indefinite Pronouns Indicating Quantity

Table of Indefinite Pronouns Indicating Quantity

In addition to the indefinite pronouns above, English also has determinative pronouns that indicate quantity more specifically:

Regarding the above words:

• Pronouns in the "Singular Pronouns" column use singular verbs.
• Pronouns in the "Plural Pronouns" column use plural verbs.
• Pronouns in the "Singular or Plural Pronouns" column use singular or plural verbs depending on the context:
  • Use a singular verb if the pronoun refers to an uncountable noun. Example: More was added later, if more refers to sugar, an uncountable noun.
  • Use a plural verb if the pronoun refers to a plural noun. Example: More were added later, if more refers to words, a plural noun.
• Pronouns in the "Uncountable Pronouns" column use singular verbs.

How to Use Indefinite Pronouns Indicating Quantity

Let's look at some examples to understand how to use these words:

• Among the students, only one failed the exam.
• Few were chosen.
• There are thousands of verbs in English and most are regular.
• I understood little of what he said.

I understood little of what he said.

Similar to the indefinite pronouns in section 3, we can use the structure Indefinite pronoun + OF + Noun phrase to make the meaning clearer.

✎ NOTE: The noun phrase must include a determiner such as the or a possessive adjective (my, your, their ...).

Examples:

• I took one of the pencils home.
• Many feel that the rule should be changed.