Indefinite pronoun can be defined as “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.”
Indefinite pronouns refer persons or things in general way but not in particular way, it refer to the inclusive, or non-specific pronouns in the sentence.
Some pronouns are definite and can replace a specific noun however some pronouns does not make things clear and called as indefinite. Indefinite pronouns do not refer to any specific things, persons, or amounts.
Examples of indefinite pronouns are like any, all, another, anybody/anyone, each, anything, everybody/everyone, few, everything, none, many, one, nobody, several, some, somebody/someone, each one, either, neither, no one, nothing, something, both, most, much, etc.
- Anyone may come to purchase the house. (In this sentence, it is not sure that who will purchase the house, so an indefinite pronoun 'anyone' is used).
- Somebody may be absent today in the office. (In this sentence, it is not sure that who will be absent, so an indefinite pronoun 'somebody' is used).
- I have something for you. (In this sentence, it is not sure that what thing a person have, so an indefinite pronoun 'something' is used).
- There are several wild animals roaming in the zoo. (In this sentence, it is not sure that how many wild animals are there, so an indefinite pronoun 'several' is used).
What are Roles of Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns are used in both, writing and speaking. Generally, they are used to express a large group of people, things, places, etc without clear and exact names of things places or amount. They are used with different roles in the sentence. They can perform the role of subject, object or object of a preposition in the sentence. Such as:
- No one likes History class. (in this sentence, 'no one' is used as the subject of sentence)
- Anybody may steal the pencil and sharpener in the class. (in this sentence, 'anybody' is used as the subject of sentence)
- Nobody was happy in the conference room. (in this sentence, 'nobody' is used as the subject of sentence)
- She never tells anything to her friends. (in this sentence, 'anything' is used as the object of sentence)
- She cheers everyone during match. (in this sentence, 'everyone' is used as the object of sentence)
- He called only somebody in birthday party. (in this sentence, 'somebody' is used as the object of sentence)
- He invited in his birthday party to everyone. (in this sentence, 'everyone' is used as the object of a preposition of sentence)
- He has given this news to everybody. (in this sentence, 'everybody' is used as the object of a preposition of sentence)
- He went back for something. (in this sentence, 'something' is used as the object of a preposition of sentence)
Indefinite pronouns singular, plural or both, singular and plural. Indefinite pronouns are generally divided into two categories:
- First one is pronoun referring to nonspecific nouns such as: anybody, anyone, anything, everybody, everyone, everything, nobody, none, no one, nothing, somebody, someone, something, etc.
- Second one is pronoun referring to specific nouns such as all, another, any, both, each, either, few, many, neither, one, some, several, etc.
Indefinite pronouns can be singular, plural or both, singular and plural. All are described below with proper examples.
1) Singular indefinite pronouns are like another, anybody, anyone, anything, each, either, everybody, everyone, everything, neither, nobody, no one, nothing, one, somebody, something, somewhere, someone, enough, less, little, much, other, you, etc.
- This music show has three groups of participants and each group has its own requirements.
- There is someone special who has to come.
- Nothing is special in the party.
- Everything is important in my life.
2) Plural indefinite pronouns are like fewer, others, both, few, they, many, several, etc.
- Few projects are handled by me.
- Several documents have been lost.
- Many of the students are absent today.
- Both of them are invited.
3) Some indefinite pronouns can be both, singular and plural depends on the noun it stands for such as all, any, either, none, such, some, more, most, etc.
- Most of the work is still pending.
- None of the books are out of date.
Exercises for you
We have provided below some exercises in order to help you to improve your knowledge about indefinite pronoun. You need to get detail information about indefinite pronoun provided above and check your skill by doing following exercises. Choose correct indefinite pronouns from the following sentences given below and match with the given answer:
- Does anybody help her?
- Everyone is welcomed to our home.
- My teacher do not have any pen.
- Please pass the football to another.
- Each of us has bought a toy.
- Anyone can play the football.
- She cannot hear anything in this house.
- Everything is going according to the plan.
- Everyone was clapping for me to cheer.
- Many people have missed the meeting.
- No one can admit their mistakes.
- One could see our cheating.
- Several people were missed in the last Kumbh mela.
- Can somebody help me?
- I sold my ticket to someone.
- Many were invited but only few came.
- Only somebody ate my favorite dish.
- Everyone were cheering me.
- No one was there with good health.
- All are welcomed in my birthday party tonight.
- I have given my book to someone for help.
- Anyone can dance here in the party.
- Does anybody know how to get prepare for this competition?
- Everyone knows about my life.
- No one came forward to help me and my family.
- Everybody enjoyed yesterday in the Christmas party.
- Nobody was there to support me.
- Someone told me already about this secret.
- You can give him anything at birthday.
- Someone came at window in the night and I was scared.
- I am looking for something interesting for me.
- Do not be scared as nothing is there.
- Do not worry, it is really enough for me.
- Sometimes I get surprised about what happens to me.
- Almost everyone leaves the hostel during summer holidays.
- Everyone was happy there just because of my jokes.
- Everybody saw that he was beating me.
- Please let me know if anyone is interested in this game.
- No one wants to come forth to help poor people.
- All became late today in the examination hall.
- I want to go somewhere special this holiday.
- Someone has gifted me this book.
- I do not tell my secrets to anyone.
- None of them were aware of the accident.
- They were in hurry to go to the movie.
- Several people are suffering from the chronic heart disease.
- Some of them were very happy.
- Most of the cases become pending for years in the court.
- Only few people follow healthy life style.
- Such topics are not interesting to draw estimated traffic on website.
Answers: 1 – anybody, 2 – Everyone, 3 – any, 4 – another, 5 – Each, 6 – Anyone, 7 – anything, 8 – Everything, 9 – Everyone, 10 – Many, 11 – No one, 12 – One, 13 – Several, 14 – somebody, 15 – someone, 16 – Many, 17 – somebody, 18 – Everyone, 19 – No one, 20 – All, 21 – someone, 22 – Anyone, 23 – anybody, 24 – Everyone, 25 – No one, 26 – Everybody, 27 – Nobody, 28 – Someone, 29 – anything, 30 – Someone, 31 – something, 32 – nothing, 33 – enough, 34 – Sometimes, 35 – everyone, 36 – Everyone, 37 – Everybody, 38 – anyone, 39 – No one, 40 – All, 41 – somewhere, 42 – Someone, 43 – anyone, 44 – None, 45 – They, 46 – Several, 47 – Some, 48 – Most, 49 – few, 50 – Such
Compound Personal Pronoun