What are indefinite pronouns?

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Indefinite pronouns

Everybody be quiet! Someone has stolen my dessert! They left almost nothing for me. I thought they would leave something, even just some scraps.

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Indefinite pronouns

An indefinite pronoun refers to a person or thing in a general way, not in a particular way.

This is usually because it has already been named or doesn’t need to be.

If it describes a noun, the pronoun acts as an adjective.

The clouds were grey but ______ promised rain. With a lucky dip, ____________ is a winner! ________ is allowed in my room. ____ were invited but _______ chose to turn up. There are _______ donuts left because ____________ ate the rest.

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Indefinite pronouns

Which indefinite pronouns would complete the sentences? Do they act as pronouns or as adjectives?

pronoun

all any anybody anything anyone everybody everyone everything few many nobody none

some somebody someone several

none

somebody

NobodyfewAll

few

everyone pronoun

pronoun

adjective and pronoun

pronouns

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Indefinite pronouns

Indefinite pronouns have a number — a singular pronoun must have a singular verb, and a plural pronoun must

have a plural verb. Most of them are singular.Everyone supports the captain. Some of the steps were painted.

singularpronoun

plural pronoun,referring to steps

singularverb

pluralverb

There is _____________ wriggling in my sandwich.________ can play handball with us.________ will admit that ___________ is too expensive.everythingNobody

Indefinite pronouns ending in -one or -body refer to people. Those ending in -thing refer to places or things.

somethinganyone nobodyeverything

somethingAnyone

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Indefinite pronouns

• A pronoun stands in place of a noun. • An indefinite pronoun refers to a

person or thing in a general way.• In the following sentence, the

indefinite pronouns are red. Anyone can come along and all are welcome.

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Indefinite pronouns

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