Indefinite pronouns

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Indefinite PronounsAn indefinite pronoun refers to something that

is not definite, not specific or not exact.

It’s something. Could be anything.

What is it?

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Indefinite Pronouns

What can I get you? Everythin

g

Anything

Nothing

All

Some None

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Few

All Some

Several EachMany

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I talk to everyone

I talk to everybod

y

Somebody talk to me!

Anybody?

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Indefinite pronouns:

NOT definite

NOT specific

NOT exactClick for next slide

Examples of indefinite pronouns:

•Anybody•Anyone• Anything

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Examples of indefinite pronouns:

•Everybody•Everyone•Everything

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Examples of indefinite pronouns:

•Somebody•Someone

• SomethingClick for next slide

Examples of indefinite pronouns:

•Nobody•No one•Nothing

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Examples of indefinite pronouns:

•All•Many •Several•Some•Few

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Examples of indefinite pronouns:

•One•Each•None

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SINGULAR?Indefinite Pronouns

PLURAL?

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Singular or Plural?Use “be” verbs to test your indefinite

pronouns:

(singular)is

are (plural)

Try any indefinite pronoun here

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Singular or Plural?Try different indefinite pronouns…

(singular)is

are(plural)

Everyone

EveryoneEveryone is here.Everyone sees you.

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Singular or Plural?Try different indefinite pronouns…

(singular)is

are(plural)

Anything

AnythingAnything is difficult at first.

Anything pleases me. Click for next slide

Singular or Plural?Try different indefinite pronouns…

(singular)is

are(plural)

Someone

SomeoneSomeone is calling me.Someone sits there.

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Singular or Plural?Try different indefinite pronouns…

(singular)is

are(plural)

Several

Several

Several are damaged. Several require repairs. Click for next slide

Singular or Plural?Try different indefinite pronouns…

(singular)is

are(plural)

Nobody

NobodyNobody is hurt.

Nobody needs help.Click for next slide

Most indefinite pronouns are singular.

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Singular Pronouns

• Anybody• Anyone• Anything

• Everybody• Everyone• Everything

• Somebody• Someone• Something

• No one • Nobody• Nothing

All of the following indefinite pronouns are singular. They require verbs with “s” at the end:

knowsfeelslooks

seesseemsdoes

wantsneedsworks

livesstartsstays

Indefinite Pronouns Example verbs

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Every student pays tuition.

Each & Every are singular, requiring verbs ending in s

Singular Pronouns

Each

Every

Each employee reports to work.

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Either sandwich looks good to me.

Either & Neither are singular, requiring verbs ending in s

Singular Pronouns

Either

Neither

Neither student cheats on tests. Click here for next slide

Plural Pronouns

• Both• Several• Many

• Some • Few

The following indefinite pronouns are plural. Their verbs should not have an “s” at the end:

need lookseem

gotravel require

Indefinite Pronouns Example verbs

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Some indefinite pronouns are both singular and plural, depending upon the

sentence.

AllSome

None

SingularPluralBOTH

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Pronouns that are BOTH singular and plural

ALLcandy tastes good.

strawberries taste sour.

AllLook to the noun to determine the verb.

All(candy tastes)

(strawberries taste) Click for next slide

Pronouns that are BOTH singular and plural

SOMEharsh language scares children.

PG movies scare children.

SomeLook to the noun to determine the verb.

Some(language scares)

(movies scare) Click for next slide

Pronouns that are BOTH singular and plural

NONEof the food seems fresh.

of the engines seem repairable.

NoneLook to the noun to determine the verb.

None(food seems)

(engines seem) Click for next slide

Test

your knowledge…

of indefinite pronouns.

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Which verb is correct?

Every camper in a tent. staystays

Every camper stays in a tent.

singular singular

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Which verb is correct?

Anybody bad after being up all night.looklooks

Anybody looks bad after being up all night.

singular singular

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Which verb is correct?

Several students in my math class the entire period.

sleepsleeps

Several students in my math class sleep the entire period. plural plural(they sleep)

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Which verb is correct?

Everything larger under water.appearappears

Everything appears larger under water.

singular singular

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Which verb is correct?

Neither of my options to me. appealappeals

Neither of my options appeals to me.

Neither one appeals

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Which verb is correct?

Some of the soup chicken livers. containcontains

Some of the soup contains chicken livers.

Look to the noun to determine the verb.

(soup contains)

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Which verb is correct?

Everyone in both families the conflicts will end.

hopehopes

Everyone in both families hopes the conflicts will end.

singularsingular

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Which verb is correct?

Few people in the airport how many flights are coming and going.

realizerealizes

Few people in the airport realize how many flights are coming and going.

pluralplural

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Indefinite pronounsEnd of presentation.