What are
Indefinite Pronoun ?
An
indefinite pronoun does not refer to any specific person, thing or amount. It
is vague and "not definite". Some typical indefinite pronouns are:
- all, another, any,
anybody/anyone, anything, each, everybody/everyone, everything, few,
many, nobody, none, one, several, some, somebody/someone
Note that
many indefinite pronouns also function as other parts of speech. Look at
"another" in the following sentences:
- He has one job in the day
and another at night. (pronoun)
- I'd like another drink,
please. (adjective)
Most
indefinite pronouns are either singular or plural. However, some of them can
be singular in one context and plural in another. The most common indefinite
pronouns are listed below, with examples, as singular, plural or
singular/plural.
Notice that
a singular pronoun takes a singular verb AND that any personal
pronoun should also agree (in number and gender). Look at these
examples:
- Each of the players has
a doctor.
- I met two girls. One
has given me her phone number.
Similarly,
plural pronouns need plural agreement:
- Many have expressed their
views.
The Difference
between Indefinite Pronouns and Indefinite Adjectives
When a word like all, any, anyone, etc. is used as an adjective, it is known as an indefinite adjective. (In the examples below, the
indefinite pronouns are shaded.)
- All in the lobby must remain
seated.
(This is an indefinite pronoun.)
- All personnel in the lobby
must remain seated.
(This is an indefinite adjective. It
modifies personnel.)
- Please take some to Mrs Chandler.
(indefinite pronoun)
- Please take some
lemons to Mrs Chandler.
(This is an indefinite
adjective. It modifies lemons.)
Indefinite Pronouns
Singular or Plural?
The biggest
issue with indefinite pronouns is determining whether they are singular or
plural. Here is a list:
Singular Indefinite Pronouns
|
Plural Indefinite Pronouns
|
Indefinite Pronouns Which Can be Singular
or Plural
|
Another
Anybody
Anyone
Anything
Each
Either
Enough
Everybody
Everyone
Everything
Less
Little
Much
Neither
Nobody
No-one
Nothing
One
Other
Somebody
Someone
Something
|
Both
Few
Fewer
Many
Others
Several
|
All
Any
More
Most
None
Some
Such
|
|
Examples of Indefinite Pronouns
·
That
ice-cream was good. Can I have another?
·
Can
anyone answer this question?
·
The
doctor needs to know if you have eaten anything in the last two hours
·
Little is known about his early life
·
We
can start the meeting because everybody has arrived
·
If
you don't know the answer it's best to say nothing
·
John
likes coffee but not tea. I think both are good
·
All have arrived
·
They
all complained and several left the meeting
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