Indefinite Pronouns: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know what indefinite pronouns are? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on indefinite pronouns, including the definition, usage, example sentences, and more!

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What is an indefinite pronoun?

According to Your Dictionary, indefinite pronouns do not specify the identity of their referents and its variants refer to an unknown person or group of people in linguistics. There are both plural indefinite pronouns and singular indefinite pronouns. Plural indefinite pronouns always require a plural verb. Meanwhile, singular indefinite pronouns always require a singular verb, just like how a singular noun or plural noun require subject-verb agreement. Every pronoun ending in one or body is singular. These pronouns can relate to a direct object or indirect object, as well as matching adjectives. If the pronoun or noun phrase is plural, the adjectives must be in plural agreement. There are many different categories of pronouns: a singular pronoun, indefinite determiners, possessive pronouns and possessive forms, referent pronoun, singular forms, singular subjects, interrogative pronouns, definite pronouns, the object of the preposition, plural pronoun, personal pronoun, . Common indefinite pronouns include:

  •  each
  •  you
  •  anything
  •  more
  •  anybody/ anyone
  •  most
  •  nothing
  •  many
  •  they (plural/gender-neutral)
  •  such
  •  neither
  •  some
  •  few
  •  less
  •  somebody/ someone
  •  everybody/ everyone
  •  none
  •  everything
  •  nobody/ no-one
  •  another
  •  enough
  •  fewer
  •  others
  •  both
  •  either
  •  other
  •  something
  •  one
  •  much
  •  little
  •  all
  •  several
  •  any

What are examples of indefinite pronouns?

An indefinite pronoun can be used in many different contexts in the English language. Trying to use a word or literary technique in a sentence is one of the best ways to memorize what it is, but you can also try making flashcards or quizzes that test your knowledge. Try using this term of the day in a sentence today! The following sentences are examples of indefinite pronouns from Your Dictionary that can help get you started incorporating this tool into your everyday use. Try to use the term indefinite pronouns today or notice when someone else is using an indefinite pronoun.

  • Normally during the holidays, everyone leaves campus.
  • Can anyone tell me why it is raining again?
  • At the Thanksgiving dinner, each brought a plated dish to make the meal complete.
  • Someone really needs to come and mow my lawn.
  • Everyone enjoyed the food and the company.
  • After the festivities, everyone was invited back to the house for the after-party.
  • I needed to see if anyone was interested in dating my cousin.
  • Few came to the wedding after the bride had a meltdown and lashed out at her family and friends.
  • Sometimes I wonder why anyone shops at this store.
  • Michael walked in and handed the piece of paper to someone.
  • I knocked on the door, but there wasn’t anybody there.
  • Everyone had a great time at the Christmas party.
  • Someone should sue the pants off that guy!
  • I was told not to worry and that everything would be taken care of.
  • My parents always told me that anything is possible.
  • Anything is possible as long as you put your mind to it.
  • After the story of the plane crash hit the news, many called for information on loved ones aboard the flight.
  • All are welcome to come to the birthday party tonight.
  • Some have the power to coax others to do what they want, while others lack the power to do anything but follow.
  • Anyone can plainly see that she was asking for trouble.
  • Everyone brought canned goods to the charity drive.
  • Is anyone available to babysit for me on Tuesday?
  • All were late to the party.
  • After I painted my walls a deep shade of purple and installed jet black carpet, some may consider my room too gloomy.
  • Does anybody have a clue where the dog went?
  • No one came forward to admit the crime, so the whole class was punished.
  • One of the great things about that cabin is that everything is included.
  • Anyone who has ever lived in the city will never take for granted the peace of the country.
  • Although it could have happened to anyone, it happened to me.
  • Someone whispered in my ear, but when I turned around, there was not anybody there.
  • Anyone in their right mind would know better than to do that.
  • Someone will clean up the kitchen.
  • Very few came to visit the crabby old woman on the corner, leaving many to wonder if anyone (singular) cared about her at all.
  • Everyone wandered aimlessly down the street wondering what would become of the spaceships that occupied the otherwise clear blue sky.
  • Anyone would have agreed the woman in the black dress was gorgeous.
  • Does anybody know a good place where I can go to get my nails done?
  • When I looked around the house, I did not see anything out of the ordinary.
  • If anyone cared about her, they certainly had an odd way of showing it.
  • Everybody loves to eat chocolate.
  • Someone walked past the window and shouted.
  • Mary wanted some, but I do not have any.
  • Everyone at the wedding could see how happy he made her.
  • Someone drank all the soda.
  • Everyone knows it is impolite to point at someone.
  • During my trip to the mall, I did not see anyone I knew.
  • Someone called to tell me the horrible news.
  • No one was home at the neighbor’s.
  • Marie told nobody the secrets that went on at her house.
  • I really just needed some time away from everyone.
  • Anyone can play the game as long as they (plural) follow the rules.
  • No one likes to eat vegetables.
  • Some just don’t know when to quit while they are ahead.
  • Some will do anything to gain the attention of others.
  • Anybody who came along would know something awful has happened here.

Overall, the term indefinite pronouns refer to pronouns that do not specify the identity of their referent.

Sources:

  1. Glossary of Grammatical Terms | OED
  2. Examples of Indefinite Pronouns | Your Dictionary 
  3. indefinite pronoun: meaning, translation | Word SenseÂ