This document discusses indefinite pronouns and their usage. It covers that indefinite pronouns do not refer to specific nouns and examples are given. It also discusses that indefinite pronouns take singular verbs. Modifiers can be used after indefinite pronouns like adjectives, adjective clauses, and prepositional phrases. Finally, it explains the differences between using indefinite pronouns with "any-" and "no-" in statements, noting that "any-" forms can be used after negatives while "no-" forms follow positives.

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.