Indefinite pronouns

1. Section A

2. We use an indefinite pronoun when we can’t or
don’t want to name a specific person or thing.
A: Did anyone call?
B: Yeah. Someone called at nine, but there was
no message.
A: Why didn’t Rachel come?
B: I don’t know. Something is wrong with her.

3. Indefinite pronouns do not refer back to a specific
noun or noun phrase.
A: Are you still leaving at five?
B: Yes, but we have plenty of time to go over everything before then.

4. INDEFINITE PRONOUNS
something
somebody
someone
anybody
anything
anyone no one
nothing
nobody
everything
everybody
everyone

5. Section B

6. We use a singular verb with an indefinite pronoun.
Everyone it here.
Nobody the assignment.
likes
has finished

7. We sometimes use other words after
indefinite pronouns to describe them.
• We can use adjective
clauses.
Can somebody help me reach this?
There’s something
• We can use adjectives or
adjective phrases.
tall
I have to tell you.

8. • We can use prepositional phrases.
• We can use the word else.
I’ve already contacted everyone
about the assignment.
Is anyone going?
(= Is any other person going?)
in our class
else

9. Section C

10. In statements, indefinite pronouns with any-
and no- can both give a negative meaning, but
they are used differently.
There wasn’t anyone there to help me.
Hardly anyone knew the answer.
(NOT: There wasn’t somebody there to help me.)
• We can use any- forms after negative verbs or other
negative words, such as never and hardly.

11. • We use no- forms after positive verbs.
There was no-one there to help me.
There’s nothing to do.
(NOT: There wasn’t no one…)
WARNING! We don’t usually
use some- forms after negative
verbs.