See how a noun becomes a pronoun.
Pronouns reduce repetition while keeping the reference clear.
Indefinite Pronouns with Examples
Indefinite pronouns refer to things or people in a general way, not a specific one. Indefinite pronouns can function as countable or uncountable nouns.
Some of the common indefinite pronouns are
- any
- anybody
- anything
- everything
- all
- another
- anyone
- everyone
- some
- someone
- somebody
- several
- one
- none
- nobody
We use indefinite pronouns to avoid repetition of nouns.
Indefinite Pronouns – List and Use
We will see the list and use of indefinite pronouns with the help of examples. Most indefinite pronouns are either singular or plural, but some indefinite pronouns can be used as both singular and plural. The examples below use the most common indefinite pronouns.
Keep in mind that a singular indefinite pronoun takes a singular verb, and a plural indefinite pronoun takes a plural verb.
Let’s look at examples of how we can use indefinite pronouns as singular pronouns, plural pronouns, and singular or plural indefinite pronouns.
Indefinite pronouns used as singular
In the following examples, indefinite pronouns are used as singular indefinite pronouns.
Singular indefinite pronouns are in bold letters.
- They got back everything they had lost on the journey.
- I should know if you learned anything yesterday.
- That is a textbook of maths; show me another.
- One was sketching while the other painted the picture.
- Is anybody there?
- Everybody was present for the meeting.
- Much has happened since we met.
- Nobody answered his question.
- Somebody must have told him about the train.
- Tell me something about global warming.
- Take whatever you want.
- Apply whichever is better.
Indefinite pronouns used as plural
We can use indefinite pronouns as plural.
Plural indefinite pronouns are shown in bold letters.
- I like both tea and coffee.
- Many were present at that moment.
- Few didn’t understand that example.
- Several commuters preferred to travel by bus.
Indefinite pronouns used as singular/plural
We can use indefinite pronouns as singular or plural.
Singular/plural indefinite pronouns are shown in bold letters.
- Most have gained.
- Most is thrown.
- More are using this.
- There is more to check.
- All are present.
- All are warned.
- Are any attending the class?
- Is any absent?
- None is absent today.
- None have attended the extra class of Maths.
Most of these words can also be used as indefinite numeral adjectives, as
- Anyone can go through it.
- Some water evaporated.
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