Pronouns do not just refer to a particular person, animal, place or thing. It can also be used to refer to no specific person, animal or thing and to an indefinite amount of things. Learn more about indefinite pronouns, its definition and how to use indefinite pronouns in sentences. Also, go through the examples of indefinite pronouns given in the article.
You can go through the following topics for a clear understanding.
Table of Contents
- What Is an Indefinite Pronoun?
- Points to Remember When Using Indefinite Pronouns with Examples
- Test Your Knowledge of Indefinite Pronouns
- Frequently Asked Questions on Indefinite Pronouns
What Is an Indefinite Pronoun?
An indefinite pronoun is a pronoun that is used to substitute nouns that are not specific. Indefinite pronouns can be used in the singular and plural forms.
Definition of an Indefinite Pronoun
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines an indefinite pronoun as “a pronoun that does not refer to a specific person or thing.” According to the Oxford Learners’ Dictionary, an indefinite pronoun is defined as “a pronoun that does not refer to any person or thing in particular, for example, ‘anything’ and ‘everyone’.” The Macmillan Dictionary defines an indefinite pronoun as “
a pronoun that does not refer to any particular person or thing, for example, ‘anybody’, ‘everyone’, or ‘anything’.”
Points to Remember when Using Indefinite Pronouns with Examples
Before you start using indefinite pronouns, make sure you keep this in mind. Like all other pronouns, singular pronouns take the singular form of the verb, and plural pronouns take the plural form of the verb.
List of Indefinite Pronouns for Your Reference
Here is a list of indefinite pronouns with examples that you can refer to for a better idea.
| Indefinite Pronouns | Examples |
|---|---|
| Each | The teacher asked each to present their projects. |
| Another | Another one of them entered the house. |
| Anyone | Is there anyone who likes a pretzel? |
| Everyone | Can everyone sit down, please? |
| Anything | Anything would be fine for me. |
| Everything | I found everything I was looking for. |
| Everybody | Everybody reached here on time. |
| Nobody | Nobody was okay with what was happening around them. |
| None | Allison had invited all of her cousins, but none had come yet. |
| Nothing | Nothing happened yesterday. |
| Other | They wanted to find out who the other was. |
| Somebody | Somebody took my bag from the shelf. |
| Someone | Could someone tell me where to find a doctor? |
| Something | I do not like that there should always be something to do. |
| Both | I think I love both. |
| Many | Many have been asked to come for the audition. |
| Several | Did you look at the options? There are several. |
| Any | I was looking for a pencil. Is there any left? |
| All | All have arrived on time. |
| Some | I have a lot of chocolates. Do you want some? |
Test Your Knowledge of Indefinite Pronouns
Let us find out how far you have understood indefinite pronouns.
Fill in the blanks with appropriate indefinite pronouns:
1. Can _____________ tell me what is happening here?
2. I was looking for ______ ice cubes. I did not find _________ here.
3. Ally invited _________ to the party.
4. Is it possible for you to give me ___________?
5. ___________ liked the movie.
6. ___________ will be coming home for dinner tonight.
7. The nurse asked ____________ to settle down according to their slot numbers.
8. I think __________ took my science text book.
9. ____________ wants to know what is going on around here.
10. The doctor asked Telly not to eat _________ as the test should be taken on an empty stomach.
Check your answers here:
1. Can someone/somebody tell me what is happening here?
2. I was looking for some ice cubes. I did not find any here.
3. Ally invited everyone/everybody to the party.
4. Is it possible for you to give me something?
5. Everybody/ Everyone liked the movie.
6. No one/ Everyone/Nobody/Everybody will be coming home for dinner tonight.
7. The nurse asked everyone/everybody to settle down according to their slot numbers.
8. I think someone/somebody took my science textbook.
9. No one/everyone/nobody/everybody wants to know what is going on around here.
10. The doctor asked Telly not to eat anything as the test should be taken on an empty stomach.
Frequently Asked Questions on Indefinite Pronouns
What is an indefinite pronoun?
An indefinite pronoun is a pronoun that is used to substitute nouns that are not specific.
What is the definition of an indefinite pronoun?
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines an indefinite pronoun as “a pronoun that does not refer to a specific person or thing.” According to the Oxford Learners’ Dictionary, an indefinite pronoun is defined as “a pronoun that does not refer to any person or thing in particular, for example, ‘anything’ and ‘everyone’.” The Macmillan Dictionary defines an indefinite pronoun as “a pronoun that does not refer to any particular person or thing, for example, ‘anybody’, ‘everyone’, or ‘anything’.”
Give some examples of indefinite pronouns.
Any, each, nothing, no one, nobody, everyone, everybody, nothing, everything, someone, something, many, all, some, anyone, anything, anybody and another are some of the indefinite pronouns.
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