PEOPLE | THINGS | |
| somebody | someone | something |
| anybody | anyone | anything |
| nobody | no one | nothing |
| everybody | everyone | everything |
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.
A singular verb is used with an indefinite pronoun.
Everybody talks fast.
Everything happens for a reason.
A 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 somebody. They 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.
Nobody, no one or nothing is not used with another negative in a clause.
Nobody wanted this.
Nothing good comes out of comfort zones.