Indefinite
Pronouns
modified from Language Skills & Use TE, page 48, section B & Writing Coach, TE, page 308 PowerPoint file found in Grammar/Pronouns/Indefinite
Pronouns.Indefinite.intro.fromLangSkillsUse.TE.topANDmiddle.page.48.WritingCoach.308
an introduction
Definition:
indefinite pronoun • does not refer to any
specific person, thing or
amount
• it is vague & is not
definite
indefinite means • vague
• not sure • not certain
an indefinite pronoun may or may not have an
antecedent; some are singular; others are plural
a pronoun that refers to a
noun but does not always
indicate a definite person or
thing is called an indefinite
pronoun
take note of the white words below; they
are indefinite pronouns
In what ways are those words vague, not
sure or not certain?
• Of the 200 film makers, few
have seen the new movie.
• Years ago someone
suggested making a movie
about outer space.
the indefinite pronoun few
refers to its antecedent film
makers, but it does not tell
you how many film makers
have seen the new movie
Of the 200 film makers, few have
seen the new movie.
In what ways are those words below
vague, not sure or not certain?
there is no antecedent for
the indefinite pronoun
someone
Years ago someone suggested
making a movie about outer
space.
In what ways are those words below
vague, not sure or not certain?
reminder:
indefinite pronoun • does not refer to any
specific person, thing or
amount
• it is vague & is not
definite
Indefinite Pronouns
Singular Plural Singular or
Plural another everyone nothing both all anybody everything one few any anyone little other many more anything much somebody others most each (one) neither someone several none either nobody something some everybody no one such
some indefinite pronouns can be
troublesome because we tend to
think of them all as plural forms, but
they are not all plurals
Indefinite Pronouns
Singular Plural Singular or
Plural another everyone nothing both all anybody everything one few any anyone little other many more anything much somebody others most each (one) neither someone several none either nobody something some everybody no one such
• Everything is ready for our trip to Florida.
• Everyone wants to see the Harry Potter Park.
• Anyone can learn to play an instrument.
• Something fell out of the closet when I
opened the door. personal pronouns
I hope everyone will compete.
I hope everyone will compete.
Part I: identify the indefinite
pronoun in each sentence
example
Anyone can attend the event.
Anyone can attend the event.
How could anybody miss it?
How could anybody miss it?
1
2
Someone might forget.
Someone might forget.
3
No one announced the place.
No one announced the place.
Many knew that.
Many knew that.
4
5
Several asked about it.
Several asked about it.
6
Something should be done.
Something should be done.
Neither knows about it.
Neither knows about it.
7
8
Others have already heard.
Others have already heard.
9
Each will soon know.
Each will soon know.
10
Part II: Underline the indefinite pronoun in each sentence
and draw an arrow to the antecedent if there is one.
These cameras are expensive,
but others are cheap.
example