Indefinite

Pronouns

modified from Language Skills & Use TE, page 48, section B & Writing Coach, TE, page 308 PowerPoint file found in Grammar/Pronouns/Indefinite

Pronouns.Indefinite.intro.fromLangSkillsUse.TE.topANDmiddle.page.48.WritingCoach.308

an introduction

Definition:

indefinite pronoun • does not refer to any

specific person, thing or

amount

• it is vague & is not

definite

indefinite means • vague

• not sure • not certain

an indefinite pronoun may or may not have an

antecedent; some are singular; others are plural

a pronoun that refers to a

noun but does not always

indicate a definite person or

thing is called an indefinite

pronoun

take note of the white words below; they

are indefinite pronouns

In what ways are those words vague, not

sure or not certain?

• Of the 200 film makers, few

have seen the new movie.

• Years ago someone

suggested making a movie

about outer space.

the indefinite pronoun few

refers to its antecedent film

makers, but it does not tell

you how many film makers

have seen the new movie

Of the 200 film makers, few have

seen the new movie.

In what ways are those words below

vague, not sure or not certain?

there is no antecedent for

the indefinite pronoun

someone

Years ago someone suggested

making a movie about outer

space.

In what ways are those words below

vague, not sure or not certain?

reminder:

indefinite pronoun • does not refer to any

specific person, thing or

amount

• it is vague & is not

definite

Indefinite Pronouns

Singular Plural Singular or

Plural another everyone nothing both all anybody everything one few any anyone little other many more anything much somebody others most each (one) neither someone several none either nobody something some everybody no one such

some indefinite pronouns can be

troublesome because we tend to

think of them all as plural forms, but

they are not all plurals

Indefinite Pronouns

Singular Plural Singular or

Plural another everyone nothing both all anybody everything one few any anyone little other many more anything much somebody others most each (one) neither someone several none either nobody something some everybody no one such

• Everything is ready for our trip to Florida.

• Everyone wants to see the Harry Potter Park.

• Anyone can learn to play an instrument.

• Something fell out of the closet when I

opened the door. personal pronouns

I hope everyone will compete.

I hope everyone will compete.

Part I: identify the indefinite

pronoun in each sentence

example

Anyone can attend the event.

Anyone can attend the event.

How could anybody miss it?

How could anybody miss it?

1

2

Someone might forget.

Someone might forget.

3

No one announced the place.

No one announced the place.

Many knew that.

Many knew that.

4

5

Several asked about it.

Several asked about it.

6

Something should be done.

Something should be done.

Neither knows about it.

Neither knows about it.

7

8

Others have already heard.

Others have already heard.

9

Each will soon know.

Each will soon know.

10

Part II: Underline the indefinite pronoun in each sentence

and draw an arrow to the antecedent if there is one.

These cameras are expensive,

but others are cheap.

example

Tourists were in town. Many

visited Ground Zero where the

World Trade Center used to be.

1

Tourists were in town. Many

visited Ground Zero where the

World Trade Center used to be.

1 answer

Tourists went to the site of the

terrorist attack. Several took

pictures.

2

Tourists went to the site of the

terrorist attack. Several took

pictures.

2 answer

The twins didn’t take photos

because both forgot the memory

chip.

3

The twins didn’t take photos

because both forgot the memory

chip.

3 answer

My brothers wouldn’t go. All are

afraid of flying in an airplane.

4

My brothers wouldn’t go. All are

afraid of flying in an airplane.

4 answer

My sisters liked the trip, and each

has seen it before.

5

My sisters liked the trip, and each

has seen it before.

5 answer

Now you’ll practice

Indefinite Pronouns

on your own modified from Indefinite Pronouns.PHWriting.Grammar.wkbk.page 12