INDEFINITE PRONOUN
Definition :
Indefinite Pronouns, which refer to persons or things in a general or indefinite way.
Pronoun that typically indicates an unspecified, even generic, person or thing. A pronoun or determiner with indefinite meaning; a quantifier. The indefinite
pronouns and determiners are :
e.g
Pronouns |
anybody | everybody | nobody | somebody |
anyone | everyone | no one | someone |
anything | everything | nothing | something |
Both Pronouns and Determiners |
any | either | fewest | least |
much | some | all | enough |
half | many | neither | both |
(a) few | (a) little | more | one |
each | fewer | less | most |
several |
Indefinite pronouns are divided into two categories:
(i) The Antecedent-Bearing Indefinite Pronoun . (ii) The Antecedentless Indefinite Pronouns.
Antecedent-Bearing Indefinite Pronoun |
one |
e.g: I like this house better than the other one.
Antecedent-Bearing Indefinite Pronoun |
some | body |
how |
one |
thing |
where |
any | body |
how |
one |
thing |
where |
Indefinite Pronouns are listed here in three groups.
SINGULAR INDECATORS |
anybody | anyone | anything |
everybody | everyone | everything |
somebody | someone | something |
another | each | either |
neither | nobody | nothing |
none | one |
The Plural Indicators are used with things that can be counted.
e.g.: All of the chairs are broken.
PLURAL INDECATORS |
all | any | both |
enough | few | more |
none | plenty | several |
some |
The Portion Indicators are singular, and are used with things that cannot be counted.
e.g.: All of the water is pure.
PORTION INDECATORS |
all | any | enough |
less | little | more |
much | plenty | none |
some |
Common e.g.
All are quite safe |
Many were rescused from the flood |
Some are born great |
Few escaped unhurt |
None of them was clever |
I did not see any of them |
Do good to others |
One should love one’s neighbour |
Much can be said on both sides |
Little was known to him about the accident |
Several of them stood up |
Anybody can do this work |
Everyone of you must attend the meeting |
Everybody knows him very well |
Nothing more was known about him |
No one came to receive him |
Someone should do this work |
Somebody has stolen my watch |
Something is better than nothing |