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Using Indefinite Pronouns
An indefinite pronoun is a word that replaces a noun for an unknown or unnamed person, thing, or amount.
- Singular: another, anybody, anyone, anything, each, either, everybody, everyone, everything, little, much, neither, nobody, no one, nothing, one, other, somebody, someone, something.
- Plural: both, few, many, others, several.
- Singular or Plural: all, any, more most, none, some.
Singular indefinite pronouns take singular verbs or singular personal pronouns. Examples:
- Each of the members has one vote. (Each is singular taking a singular verb.)
- One of the girls gave up her seat. (One is singular, taking the singular possessive her.)
Plural indefinite pronouns take plural verbs or plural personal pronouns.
- A few of the justices were voicing their opposition. (Few is plural taking the plural verb and the plural possessive their.)
For indefinite pronouns that can be singular or plural, it depends on what the indefinite pronoun refers to.
- All of the people clapped their hands. (All refers to people, a plural noun, taking the plural possessive their.)
- All of the newspaper was soaked. (All refers to one newspaper taking the singular verb.)
A Gender-Sensitive Case
The pronouns ending with -body or -one such as anybody, somebody, no one, or anyone are singular. So are pronouns like each and every. Words like all or some may be singular. That means that a possessive pronoun referring to these singular words must also be singular. In standard written English the possessive pronoun his is used to refer to a singular indefinite pronoun unless the group referred to is known to be all female.
- Is everyone happy with his gift? (Everyone is singular, taking the singular default possessive his, even when the group is a mixed gender.)
Most languages, including English, observe the standard of using the masculine pronoun in situations like this. However, in some circles today the idea of choosing the masculine pronoun sounds discriminatory against women. If this usage bothers you, or if you think it may bother your audience, there are two possible ways to work around this and still use standard English.
- Is everyone happy with his or her gift? (Use the phrase his or her. It is a little awkward, but OK.)
Or, rewrite the sentence using a plural indefinite pronoun and possessive adjective. Plural personal pronouns in English don't distinguish between male and female.
- Are all of the people happy with theirgifts?
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Why do indefinite cause problems for students?
Indefinite articles (a, an) can be tricky for students because they require an understanding of noun countability and context. Students need to learn when to use "a" or "an" based on the sound that follows, as well as when to omit articles altogether. With practice and exposure to various contexts, students can improve their usage of indefinite articles.
What is used with the letter s to form the possessive case of indefinite pronouns?
You would use an apostrophe before "s" to form the possessive case of an indefinite pronoun, just like any other possessive.Examples: Whether you'd actually enjoy doing it is anybody's guess.The accident was nobody's fault.
Are pronouns simple and use easy to follow rules?
Yes, pronouns are generally simple and follow straightforward rules. They are used to replace nouns and refer to someone or something previously mentioned. The choice of pronoun depends on the gender, number, and person of the noun it replaces, but once the rules are understood, using pronouns becomes second nature in everyday communication.
When do you use an indefinite pronoun?
Indefinite pronouns are used to refer to nonspecific people or things. They are used when the specific person or thing being referred to is not known or important. Examples of indefinite pronouns include "someone," "anything," "everyone," and "no one."
When do you know a word is a pronoun?
Like any other form of language, you get to know pronouns by learning them.Pronouns are word that take the place of nouns in a sentence. For example, when chatting with your friends or family, do you use your name and the name of the person you are speaking to or do you use pronouns like I, you, we, and us? I'm sure that you do. When you are discussing a person or a thing not present, do you only use the name or names of the people, or do you use the pronouns he or she, him or her, theyor them? Do you keep repeating the noun for the thing you are talking about, or do you use pronouns like it, they, or them?The following is a list of pronouns that I'm sure you use regularly. Use this list to refer to learn what they are:personal pronouns: I, you, we, he, she, it, me, us, him, her, they, them.demonstrative pronouns: this, that, these, those.possessive pronouns: mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, theirs.possessive adjectives: my, your, his, her, their, its.interrogative pronouns: who, whom, what, which, whose.reflexive pronouns: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves.intensive pronouns: reflexive pronouns used to emphasize.reciprocal pronouns: each other, one another.relative pronouns: who, whom, whose, which, that.indefinite pronouns: all, another, any, anybody, anyone, anything, both, each, either, enough, everybody, everyone, everything, few, fewer, less, little, many, more, most, much, neither, nobody, no one, nothing, none, one, other, others, several, some, somebody, someone, something, such, and they (people in general).You can use the link below to find out more about the different types of pronouns.
Are all indefinate pronouns singular?
No, there is a group of plural use indefinite pronouns such as:bothfewfewermanyothersseveralthey (used for people in general, 'They say...')See the link below for a helpful chart of singular, plural, and dual use indefinite pronouns.
What is a pronoun with no specific antecedent?
Most indefinite pronouns don't use an antecedent. The first person pronouns I, me, you, we, us, rarely use an antecedent; the speaker and listener know who they are. An antecedent is not used when the noun represented by the pronoun is known to the speaker and the listener.
What is the rule when using indefinite pronouns such as all any none and some?
it depends on how it is use
Are pronouns simple and use easy to follow rules?
Yes, pronouns are generally simple and follow straightforward rules. They are used to replace nouns and refer to someone or something previously mentioned. The choice of pronoun depends on the gender, number, and person of the noun it replaces, but once the rules are understood, using pronouns becomes second nature in everyday communication.
Write a funny poem using pronouns.Try to use most of the pronouns in the pronoun chart.To begin with - think of a situation or story?
the 4 pronouns are: 1.object pronoun2.possesive pronoun 3.subject pronoun 4.indefinite pronoun
Use the rules of significant figures to answer the following question 22.674 15.05?
Use the rules of significant figures to answer the following : 22.674 * 15.05. Answer: 341.2
If you want to make your writing personal and direct for your audience which one of the following pronouns should you use?
The most personal type of writing uses the pronoun I.
What person first second or third are indefinite pronouns?
By definition, indefinite pronouns must be second and third person. The first person is the speaker, who is known to the speaker. The only indefinite pronoun in the second person is you, used as a general term. Third person indefinite pronouns are: Singular: another, anybody, anyone, anything, each, everybody, everyone, everything, enough, less, little, much, neither, nobody, no one, nothing, one, other, somebody, someone, something. Plural: both, few, fewer, many, others, several, they (used as a general term). Singular or plural: all, any, more, most, none, some.
What type of prounoun uses an apostrophe to form the possessive?
The possessive pronouns and the possessive adjectives do not use an apostrophe:possessive pronouns: mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, theirs.possessive adjectives: my, your, his, her, their, its.Some of the indefinite pronouns use an apostrophe s ('s) to show possession:Your chances are as good as anybody's.I'm paying for everyone's lunch.One should mind one's own business.The reciprocal pronouns also use an apostrophe s ('s) to show possession: We always celebrate each other'sbirthday.We often finish one another's sentences.
How do indefinite pronoun effect a verb choice?
The indefinite pronouns that are considered singular take a singular verb form, for example:He had one hot dog, another is too much.Is anyone sitting here? (Anyone is sitting...)Yes, someone is sitting there.Either is good for me.Nothing is good enough for him.Similarly, indefinite pronouns that are considered plural take a plural verb form, for example:You have two choices, both are of equal value.So few are taking advantage of the program.Fewer are completing the programMany are eligible for the program.Others are waiting to see the doctor.Some indefinite pronouns can be singular or plural, depending on their use, for example:Is any left for latecomers? More is in the kitchen.Are any coming with you? More are welcome to come.
What describes the pronoun anyone?
Normally adjectives describe pronouns, however, I can't think of a use of 'anyone' that would require a describing word because 'anyone' is an indefinite pronoun for an unknown person.
Why do scientists use the rules for determining significant figures?
If they did not use rules all their calculations would simply lead to random digits!
