Indefinite pronouns are words that replace nouns without specifying which noun, and they can be singular or plural. Singular indefinite pronouns require singular verbs, while plural indefinite pronouns need plural verbs, with certain pronouns able to be either depending on their reference. Correct usage examples and common mistakes are provided to illustrate proper agreement between pronouns and their verbs.

1. INDEFINITE PRONOUNS

2. WHAT IS AN INDEFINITE PRONOUN?
They are words that replace nouns
without specifying which noun they
replace (remember- a noun is a person,
place, or thing)
Ex: another, everybody, everyone,
everything, each, either, somebody,
someone, something, both, few, many,
all, most, none

3. INDEFINITE PRONOUNS CAN BE SINGULAR
OR PLURAL
Singular: another, everybody,
everyone, everything, each, either,
somebody, someone, something
Plural: both, few, many, others, several
Singular or plural: all, any, more, most,
some

4. SINGULAR INDEFINITE PRONOUNS
Singular indefinite pronouns take singular verbs or
singular personal pronouns.
Correct: Each of the members has one vote.
(The subject, each, is singular. Use has.)
Incorrect: One of the girls gave up their seat.
Correct: One of the girls gave up her seat.
(Her refers to one, which is singular.)

5. PLURAL INDEFINITE PRONOUNS
Plural indefinite pronouns take plural verbs or
plural personal pronouns.
Correct: A few of the justices were voicing
their opposition.
(Few is plural, so are were and their.)
Incorrect: Both of the men was going to
work.
(Both is plural, but was is not.)

6. SINGULAR OR PLURAL INDEFINITE
PRONOUNS
For indefinite pronouns that can be singular or
plural, it depends on what the indefinite pronoun
refers to.
Correct: All of the people clapped their hands.
(All refers to people, which is plural.)
Correct: All of the newspaper was soaked.
(Here all refers to newspaper, which is singular.)

7. CAN YOU FIND THE INDEFINITE PRONOUN(S)
IN THE SENTENCE?
I wanted to see them all.
All
She wanted to go to the movies to see someone.
Someone
Something woke me up.
Something

8. CAN YOU IDENTIFY IF THESE INDEFINITE
PRONOUNS ARE SINGULAR OR PLURAL?
There is something outside.
Something= singular
All of my friends are at the movies.
All refers to friends, which is plural)
Both of the roads are closed.
Both= plural
Can we see some of the movie?
Some refers to movie which is singular

9. IS THE INDEFINITE PRONOUN USED
CORRECTLY?
All of the people was watching the show.
No
I see someone in the house.
Yes
Most of the movie is over.
Yes
Is most of the people outside?
No
Both of the kids is riding bikes.
no

10. REMEMBER
Indefinite pronouns are words that replace nouns,
but are not specific
They can be singular or plural, depending on
what they are referring to (singular- one noun;
plural- more then one noun)
Indefinite pronouns and their verbs must agree
(plural indefinite pronoun= plural verb and
singular indefinite pronoun = singular verb)