Indefinite PronounsAn indefinite pronoun is a pronoun that does not refer to a

particular person, place, or thing.

Does anyone know the story of Midas?

Most indefinite pronouns are either singular or plural.

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Some Indefinite Pronouns

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Singular Pluralanother everybody no one

anybody everyone nothing

anyone everything one

anything much somebody

each neither someone

either nobody something

both

few

many

others

several

All, any, most, none and some can be singular or plural, depending on the phrase that follows them.

Some Indefinite Pronouns

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When an indefinite pronoun is used as the subject, the verb must agree with it in number.

Everyone discusses the plot. (singular)

Both talk about King Minos. (plural)

All of mythology is about beliefs and ideals. (singular)

All of the myths are about beliefs and ideals. (plural)

Some Indefinite Pronouns

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Possessive pronouns often have indefinite pronouns as their antecedents. In such cases, the pronouns must agree in number. Note that in the first example the intervening prepositional phrase does not affect the agreement.

Each of the characters has his or her motive.

Several have conflict with their rivals.

Reflexive Pronouns

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A reflexive pronoun refers to a noun or another pronoun and indicates that the same person or thing is involved. Reflexive pronouns are formed by adding –self or –selves to certain personal and possessive pronouns

The woman found herself a book of folktales.

Reflexive Pronoun

Reflexive Pronouns

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Singular Plural

myself

yourself

himself, herself, itself

ourselves

yourselves

themselves

Sometimes hisself is mistakenly used for himself and theirselves for themselves. Avoid using hisself and theirselves.

Intensive Pronouns

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An intensive pronoun is a pronoun that adds emphasis to a noun or pronoun already named.

George himself bought a copy of American Tall Tales.

He himself paid for the book.