Indefinite Pronouns

PEOPLE

THINGS

somebodysomeonesomething
anybodyanyoneanything
nobodyno onenothing
everybodyeveryoneeverything

 

Indefinite pronouns are used to talk about people or things but not specifically saying who or what they are. Those with -body or –one endings are used for people while those with -thing endings are used for things.

Examples:

Everybody wants to be happy.
No one joined the singing contest.
After his eye surgery, he can see everything much clearly.

singular verb is used with an indefinite pronoun.

Everybody talks fast.
Everything happens for a reason.

plural pronoun is often used when referring back to an indefinite pronoun.

Everybody cheered him on. They supported him during his race.
I will talk to somebodyThey have been waiting for my decision on this matter.

To express a possessive, -‘s is added to an indefinite pronoun.

She is talking to somebody’s friend.
Are these anybody’s shoes?

In negative clauses, indefinite pronouns are used with no- as the subject instead of pronouns with any.)

Anybody didn’t answer. >> Nobody answered.

Nobodyno one or nothing is not used with another negative in a clause.

Nobody wanted this.
Nothing good comes out of comfort zones.

 

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