Indefinite Pronouns

The versatile words that refer to non-specific people or things

Indefinite pronouns refer to non-specific people, things, or quantities without identifying them precisely. They include words like everyone, somebody, nothing, few, and many, and are essential for general statements in English.

Core Characteristics

  • Non-specific reference: Don't point to particular nouns
  • Number categories: Singular, plural, or variable
  • No antecedents: Self-contained meaning
  • Functional flexibility: Some can function as determiners
  • Negative forms: Many have corresponding negatives (some/any/no)

Categories of Indefinite Pronouns

1. Singular Indefinite Pronouns

People:
  • "Everyone deserves respect." (takes singular verb)
  • "Somebody left their umbrella." (gender-neutral singular they)
Things:
  • "Nothing was as it seemed."
  • "Something smells wonderful!"
Oxford Rule:

Despite plural meaning, these always take singular verbs: "Everybody has (not have) arrived."

2. Plural Indefinite Pronouns

  • "Few understand this complex topic."
  • "Many are called but few are chosen."
  • "Several of the books were damaged."
Note:

These quantify countable nouns and always take plural verbs.

3. Dual-Function Pronouns (Singular/Plural)

Context-dependent:
  • "All is lost." (singular - abstract concept)
  • "All are welcome." (plural - people)
  • "Some of the milk was spilled." (singular - uncountable)
  • "Some of the cookies were eaten." (plural - countable)

4. Negative Indefinite Pronouns

  • "Nobody knows the trouble I've seen."
  • "None of the answers were correct." (plural verb common with countable nouns)
  • "Nothing remains to be said."
Oxford Note:

"None" can take singular or plural verbs depending on emphasis: "None of the cake is" vs. "None of the students are."

Advanced Usage Rules

1. Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Singular they (Oxford-approved):
  • "Everyone should bring their notebook." (gender-neutral)
  • "Somebody left their phone here."
Formal alternative:
  • "Everyone should bring his or her notebook." (more cumbersome)

2. Of-Phrase Constructions

  • "Most of the work is done." (uncountable - singular)
  • "Many of the students were late." (countable - plural)
  • "Some of the information was inaccurate."
Error Alert:

❌ "Much of the apples" → ✅ "Many of the apples" (use "much" only with uncountables)

3. Position in Sentences

Subject position:
  • "Everything was perfect."
Object position:
  • "I saw nobody at the park."
After prepositions:
  • "This letter is for someone special."

4. Compound Indefinite Pronouns

  • "Anything can happen in sports."
  • "Is there anywhere we can talk privately?"
  • "Nobody else knows the secret."
Note:

These are always written as single words (no space between "any" and "thing").

Special Cases & Nuances

1. "They" as Singular Indefinite

  • "If anyone calls, tell them I'm busy."
  • "Each student should collect their certificate."
Oxford Guidance:

Singular "they" has been used since Chaucer's time and is now fully accepted in formal writing.

2. "None" - Singular vs. Plural

Traditional rule (singular):
  • "None of the advice was helpful."
Modern usage (plural with countables):
  • "None of the options are appealing."

3. "One" as Indefinite Pronoun

  • "One should always be prepared." (formal)
  • "If one works hard, one will succeed." (UK formal)
US Alternative:

Americans often replace formal "one" with "you": "If you work hard, you will succeed."

Common Errors & Corrections

1. Verb Agreement:
  • ❌ "Everyone have their own opinion." → ✅ "Everyone has their own opinion."
2. Double Negatives:
  • ❌ "I don't know nothing." → ✅ "I don't know anything."
3. Misused Forms:
  • ❌ "Anybody didn't come." → ✅ "Nobody came."
4. Determiner Confusion:
  • ❌ "Much people attended." → ✅ "Many people attended."

Practice Exercises

1. Fill in the Blanks

  1. "______ is knocking at the door." (Someone)
  2. "______ of the information was useful." (Some)
  3. "______ knows the answer to this riddle." (Nobody)

2. Correct the Errors

  1. ❌ "Everybody have a role to play." → ✅ "Everybody has a role to play."
  2. ❌ "We don't need no help." → ✅ "We don't need any help."

3. Identify Pronoun Type

  1. "Several were missing." (plural indefinite)
  2. "Everything is possible." (singular indefinite)

Historical & Comparative Notes

Old English Origins:
  • "Some" from sum, "any" from ǣnig, "none" from nān
  • Compound forms (-body, -thing) developed in Middle English
Cross-Linguistic Comparison:
  • French: "on" (one), "quelqu'un" (someone), "rien" (nothing)
  • German: "man" (one), "jemand" (someone), "nichts" (nothing)