Indefinite

Pronouns

Indefinite Pronouns
An indefinite pronoun is a pronoun
that does not refer to a particular
person, place, or thing.
Does anyone know the story of Midas?
Most indefinite pronouns are either
singular or plural.

Indefinite Pronouns
Singular
another
anybody
anyone
anything
each
either

everybody
everyone
everything
much
neither
nobody

Plural
no one
nothing
one
somebody
someone
something

both
few
many
others
several

All, any, most, none and some can be

singular or plural, depending on the phrase
that follows them.

Singular Indefinite
E S APronouns
N E S A N E

S A N
O N O V O N O
M Y
E M Y
E
R E
Y
BODY
ONE
Somebody
Anybody
Nobody
everybody

Someone
Anyone
No one
everyone

V O N O V
E M Y
E
R E
R
Y
Y
THING
Something
Anything
Nothing
Everything

One
Neither
Each

Another
Much
Either

Indefinite Pronouns
When an indefinite pronoun is used as the
subject, the verb must agree with it in number.
Everyone discusses the plot. (singular)
Both talk about King Minos. (plural)
All of mythology is about beliefs and ideals. (singular)
All of the myths are about beliefs and ideals. (plural)

Indefinite Pronouns
Possessive pronouns often have indefinite
pronouns as their antecedents. In such cases,
the pronouns must agree in number. Note that
in the first example the intervening
prepositional phrase does not affect the
agreement.

Each of the characters has his or her

chapter.
Several have conflict with their siblings.

Guided Practice

Select the pronoun.

1. Each knows about the plot.

a. Each
b. about
c. the
d. plot

2. Many of the students do

their homework.
a. Many
b. or
c. do
d. their

3. __________ of the boys offered

their help to the little old lady
who was crossing the street.

a. Another
b. Each
c. All
d. One

4. My sister is the _______

wearing the red shirt.
a. one
b. few
c. most
d. several

5. Which of the following

indefinite pronouns can be
either singular or plural?

a. few
b. none
c. nothing
d. many

Pronoun Agreement
Each of the students has his or her ideas about homework.
Singular
indefinite
pronoun

Singular
possessive
pronouns

6. Which verb agrees with the

indefinite pronoun many?

a. walks
b. are
c. is
d. dances

Guided Practice

Select the
appropriate pronoun.

7. No one brought ______ book.

a. his or her
b. their

8. Each has __ point of view.

a. his or her
b. their

9. All of the students give

_______ opinions, too.
a. his or her
b. their

10. Why are indefinite

pronouns called indefinite?
a. They do not have one definition.
b. They refer to nouns are not
defined not specific.
c. They are impossible to see
because they are invisible.