Indefinite pronouns are words we use when we don’t know exactly who or what we are talking about, or when it is not important.
Pronouns with: some, any, no, every
These indefinite pronouns follow a clear system with some, any, no, and every.
| Pronouns | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| someone / somebody | one person (unknown) | Someone is calling you. |
| anyone / anybody | any person (no restriction / in questions or negatives) | Do you know anyone here? |
| no one / nobody | no person | Nobody answered the phone. |
| everyone / everybody | all people | Everyone is ready. |
| something | one thing (unknown) | I need something to eat. |
| anything | any thing (no restriction) | Do you want anything? |
| nothing | no thing | Nothing happened. |
| everything | all things | Everything is clean. |
| somewhere | one place (unknown) | Let’s go somewhere quiet. |
| anywhere | any place (no restriction) | You can sit anywhere. |
| nowhere | no place | I have nowhere to go. |
| everywhere | all places | I looked everywhere. |
Other Indefinite Pronouns
These pronouns talk about quantity, choice, or groups.
| Pronouns | Meaning | Singular / Plural | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| some | an unspecified number or amount | singular or plural (depends on context) | Some are missing. |
| any | no restriction / used in questions and negatives | singular or plural (depends on context) | I don’t have any. |
| all | the whole group | singular or plural (depends on noun) | All are welcome. |
| none | zero of a group | singular or plural (formal: singular) | None is available. |
| many | a large number (countable) | plural | Many agree with you. |
| much | a large amount (uncountable) | singular | Much has changed. |
| few | almost none (countable, negative idea) | plural | Few understand this. |
| a few | some (countable, positive idea) | plural | A few are ready. |
| little | almost none (uncountable, negative idea) | singular | Little is known. |
| a little | some (uncountable, positive idea) | singular | A little is enough. |
| each | every person/thing individually | singular | Each has a role. |
| either | one of two | singular | Either is fine. |
| neither | not one or the other | singular | Neither is correct. |
| both | the two together | plural | Both are correct. |
| another | one more / an extra one | singular | I’ll take another. |
| other | a different one | singular or plural (depends on use) | I prefer the other. |
| others | other people or things | plural | Some left, others stayed. |
| the other | the second of two | singular | The other is better. |
| the others | the remaining ones | plural | The others are waiting. |
| one | a person in general | singular | One must be careful. |
| ones | plural of one | plural | The red ones are cheaper. |
| several | more than a few | plural | Several are missing. |
Common Mistakes with Indefinite Pronouns
1. Using plural verbs with singular pronouns
Many indefinite pronouns are singular. Check the table above.
Wrong:
Everyone are here.
Nobody know.
Neither are correct.
Right:
Everyone is here.
Nobody knows.
Neither is correct.
2. Confusing some and any
- some → positive / expected
- any → negative / questions
- This is also true for someone, anyone, etc.
Wrong:
I don’t have some.Someone called? (in a question)
Right:
I don’t have any.
Did anyone call?
3. Forgetting the difference between somewhere and anywhere
- somewhere = one unknown place
- anywhere = no restriction
Wrong:
You can sit somewhere you like.
Right:
You can sit anywhere you like.
4. Confusing few and a few
- few = almost none (negative)
- a few = some (positive)
Wrong:Few people came, so it was a success.
Right:
A few people came, so it was a success.
5. Using “no one” incorrectly
Avoid double negatives.
Wrong:No one didn’t come.
Right:
No one came.
Exercises on Indefinite Pronouns
More Exercises: EnglishClub | EnglishGrammarAt | PerfectEnglish | Grammarism | Test-English | OxfordUP