Indefinite Pronoun: Definition, List and Examples of Indefinite Pronouns

Last updated on August 8, 2024 by Grammargeek

Indefinite pronouns are important for everyday English. They help you talk about things that aren’t specific, like everyone, nothing, or somebody. These words are used often and have their own grammar rules. You’ll learn about different types, including singular, plural, and those that can be both. You’ll also find a list of indefinite pronouns and learn about all pronouns in English. This reference will help you use indefinite pronouns with confidence.

What is an Indefinite Pronoun?

Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite Pronouns – Created by 7ESL

An indefinite pronoun is a pronoun that refers to non-specific beings, objects, or places. Indefinite Pronouns can also function as other parts of speech too, depending on context.

Most indefinite pronouns are either singular or plural. However, some of them can be singular in one context and plural in another. For examples:

Singular Indefinite Pronouns List

Another, anybody, anyone, anything, each, either, enough, everybody, everyone, everything, little, much, neither, nobody, no one, nothing, one, other, somebody, someone, something

Plural Indefinite Pronouns List

Both, few, fewer, many, others, several

Both Singular and Plural

All, any, more, most, none, some, such.

Types of Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns are words that refer to nonspecific people or things. They can be singular, plural, universal, or negative. Here is a breakdown of the different types:

Singular Indefinite Pronouns

Singular indefinite pronouns refer to one person or thing but don’t specify which one. Examples include anyone, someone, everyone, nobody, each, and either. These pronouns take singular verbs: “Everyone is here.”

They are useful for talking about things in a broad sense without identifying specific individuals. In sentences, they make it easier to generalize or speak about unknown subjects.

Plural Indefinite Pronouns

Plural indefinite pronouns refer to more than one person or thing. Common examples are many, few, several, and both. These pronouns take plural verbs: “Few were chosen.”

They are helpful when discussing groups or multiple items. Plural indefinite pronouns are often used when the exact number or members of the group are not defined.

Universal Indefinite Pronouns

Universal indefinite pronouns refer to all members of a group or category. Words like everyone, everything, all, and both fit this category. For example, “Everyone likes ice cream,” or “All are welcome.”

These pronouns are particularly useful for making broad statements that apply to every member of a group. They help give a complete sense of inclusion.

Negative Indefinite Pronouns

Negative indefinite pronouns include words like nothing, nobody, none, and no one. They are used to talk about the absence of people or things. For instance, “Nobody was present,” or “None of the answers were correct.”

These pronouns are critical for expressing negative statements and ensuring clear communication of what isn’t present or happening. They make it clear that something is not there or that no one fits a certain criterion.

Indefinite Pronouns List
Indefinite Pronouns List – Created by 7ESL

Functions in Sentences

Indefinite pronouns can serve as subjects, objects, or complements in sentences. Their role can change the way a sentence is constructed and understood. Let’s see how they function in these different parts of a sentence.

Subjects

Indefinite pronouns often act as the subject of a sentence. Here, they perform the action or are the main focus. Examples include “everyone”, “someone”, “nobody”, and “everything”. For instance, in the sentence “Everyone is happy,” the pronoun “everyone” serves as the subject, indicating who is happy.

Subject pronouns must agree with the verb. For example, “Something is wrong” uses “is” because “something” is singular. On the other hand, “Many are going” uses “are” because “many” is plural.

Objects

Indefinite pronouns can also function as objects in a sentence. As objects, they receive the action of the verb or follow a preposition. In the sentence “The teacher gave everyone a chance,” the pronoun “everyone” is the object, receiving the action of “gave”.

After prepositions, indefinite pronouns come after words like “to,” “for,” and “with.” An example is “She talked to someone yesterday” where “someone” is the object of the preposition “to.”

Complements

Indefinite pronouns sometimes act as complements in sentences. A complement provides more information about the subject or object. An example of a subject complement is in the sentence “The winner is someone special,” where “someone special” describes “the winner.”

In object complements, an example is “They consider him something of a hero,” where “something of a hero” describes “him.” Complements often follow linking verbs like “is,” “was,” or “consider.”

Understanding these functions helps in constructing clear, grammatically correct sentences.

Rules and Agreement

Indefinite pronouns can create confusion in sentences. Understanding subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement ensures writing is clear and grammatically correct.

Subject-Verb Agreement

Indefinite pronouns can be singular, plural, or both. Singular indefinite pronouns include anyone, everyone, someone, and nobody. When these pronouns are the subject, they take singular verbs.

For example: “Everyone is happy.”

Plural indefinite pronouns include both, few, and many. They need plural verbs.

For example: “Many are excited.”

Some indefinite pronouns like all, some, and most can be either singular or plural, depending on the noun they refer to.

For example: “All of the cake is gone.” vs. “All of the cookies are gone.”*

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Pronoun-antecedent agreement means the pronoun must match the noun it refers to in number and gender. Singular pronouns include anybody, anyone, each, and nobody. Use singular pronouns such as he, she, or it.

For example: “Each of the students took his or her seat.”

Plural pronouns include both, few, and many. Use they or them for these pronouns.

For example: “Many of the players forgot their uniforms.”

For pronouns like all, any, and none, context decides the pronoun’s form.

For example: “All of the water has lost its taste.” vs. “All of the bottles have lost their labels.”*

Attention to these details ensures clarity and correctness in writing.

Indefinite Pronouns Exercises

Exercise 1: Identifying Indefinite Pronouns
Read the sentences below and underline the indefinite pronouns.

  1. Everyone was excited about the trip.
  2. Something strange happened last night.
  3. Nobody knows the answer to that question.
  4. Several of the cookies were missing.

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blank
Choose the correct indefinite pronoun to fill in the blank.

  1. _______ brought snacks to the party. (Someone, Anyone)
  2. There isn’t __________ in the room. (anyone, everyone)
  3. _______ left their backpack in the hallway. (Someone, Everyone)
  4. Has _______ seen my keys? (anybody, nobody)

Exercise 3: Sentence Creation
Write a sentence using each of the following indefinite pronouns:

  1. Anything
  2. Nobody
  3. Everyone
  4. Several

Exercise 4: Correcting Mistakes
Correct the mistake in each sentence. Replace the incorrect word with the right indefinite pronoun.

  1. Everybody knows that anything can bake a cake.
  2. We found someone in the classroom after hours.
  3. None of the students were late.
  4. He didn’t tell someone about the meeting.

Answer Key:

  1. Everyone
  2. Someone
  3. Anyone
  4. Nobody

All Pronouns in English

English Pronoun List

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