Indefinite
Pronouns
Indefinite Pronouns
An indefinite pronoun is a pronoun
that does not refer to a particular
person, place, or thing.
Does anyone know the story of Midas?
Most indefinite pronouns are either
singular or plural.
Indefinite Pronouns
Singular
another
anybody
anyone
anything
each
either
everybody
everyone
everything
much
neither
nobody
Plural
no one
nothing
one
somebody
someone
something
both
few
many
others
several
All, any, most, none and some can be
singular or plural, depending on the phrase
that follows them.
Singular Indefinite Pronouns
S A N E S A N
O N O V O N O
M Y
E M Y
E
R E
Y
BODY
ONE
Somebody
Someone
Anybody
Anyone
Nobody
No one
everybody
everyone
E
V
E
R
Y
S A N E
O N O V
M Y
E
E
R
Y
THING
Something
Anything
Nothing
Everything
One
Neither
Each
Another
Much
Either
Indefinite Pronouns
When an indefinite pronoun is used as the
subject, the verb must agree with it in number.
Everyone discusses the plot. (singular)
Both talk about King Minos. (plural)
All of mythology is about beliefs and ideals. (singular)
All of the myths are about beliefs and ideals. (plural)
Indefinite Pronouns
Possessive pronouns often have indefinite
pronouns as their antecedents. In such cases,
the pronouns must agree in number. Note that
in the first example the intervening
prepositional phrase does not affect the
agreement.
Each of the characters has his or her
chapter.
Several have conflict with their siblings.
Guided Practice
Select the pronoun.
1. Each knows about the plot.
a. Each
b. about
c. the
d. plot
2. Many of the students do
their homework.
a. Many
b. or
c. do
d. their
3. __________ of the boys offered
their help to the little old lady
who was crossing the street.
a. Another
b. Each
c. All
d. One
4. My sister is the _______
wearing the red shirt.
a. one
b. few
c. most
d. several
5. Which of the following
indefinite pronouns can be
either singular or plural?
a. few
b. none
c. nothing
d. many
Pronoun Agreement
Each of the students has his or her ideas about homework.
Singular
indefinite
pronoun
Singular
possessive
pronouns
6. Which verb agrees with the
indefinite pronoun “many?”
a. walks
b. are
c. is
d. dances
Guided Practice
Select the
appropriate pronoun.
7. No one brought ______ book.
a. his or her
b. their
8. Each has __ point of view.
a. his or her
b. their
9. All of the students give
_______ opinions, too.
a. his or her
b. their
10. Why are indefinite
pronouns called “indefinite?”
a. They do not have one definition.
b. They refer to nouns are not
defined – not specific.
c. They are impossible to see
because they are invisible.