Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite PronounsAn 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 PronounsSingular Plural

another everybody no one

anybody everyone nothing

anyone everything one

anything much somebody

each neither someone

either nobody something

both

few

many

others

several

All, any, most, none All, any, most, none and somesome can be singular or plural, depending on the phrase that follows them.

S A N E

O N O V

M Y E

E R

Y

BODY

S A N E

O N O V

M Y E

E R

Y

ONE

S A N E

O N O V

M Y E

E R

Y

THING

SomebodySomebody

AnybodyAnybody

NobodyNobody

everybodyeverybody

SomeoneSomeone

AnyoneAnyone

No oneNo one

everyoneeveryone

SomethingSomething

AnythingAnything

NothingNothing

EverythingEverything

Singular Indefinite Pronouns

One

Neither

Each

Another

Much

Either

Indefinite PronounsWhen 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 PronounsPossessive 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.