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Pronouns
Indefinite Pronouns
Talk about people and things in general: someone, anything, nobody, everyone.
What Is It?
Indefinite pronouns refer to people, things or places without naming them: someone, anybody, nothing, everything, nowhere.
Why Do English Speakers Use It?
They are everywhere in daily speech: “Is anyone there?”, “I have nothing to wear”, “Everyone is welcome.”
When to Use It
- some-: positive sentences, offers: Someone is at the door. Would you like something?
- any-: questions and negatives: Is anyone home? I didn’t see anything.
- no-: negative meaning (with a positive verb): Nobody called.
- every-: all: Everything is ready.
When NOT to Use It
Don’t use two negatives: “I didn’t see anybody” or “I saw nobody”, not “I didn’t see nobody”.
Sentence Structure
| People | Things / Places | |
|---|---|---|
| some- | someone / somebody | something / somewhere |
| any- | anyone / anybody | anything / anywhere |
| no- / every- | no one, nobody / everyone, everybody | nothing, nowhere / everything, everywhere |
Grammar Rules
- Indefinite pronouns take a singular verb: Everyone is here.
- Use they / their to refer back: Someone left their bag.
- Adjectives come after them: something new, nothing special.
- “No one” is written as two words.
Real-Life Examples
- Somebody took my umbrella!
- Do you need anything from the shop?
- Nobody knows the answer.
- Let’s go somewhere quiet.
Common Learner Mistakes
- Everybody are happy.Everybody is happy.
- I don’t know nothing.I don’t know anything.
- I want to eat new something.I want to eat something new.
Quick Memory Tip
One negative per sentence: didn’t + any-, or a positive verb + no-.
Real Conversation
Joe: Did anyone call while I was out?
Monica: No, nobody called, but someone left a package for you.
Joe: Great, it must be the book I ordered!
Interactive Practice
Pick an answer to check your understanding.
I looked everywhere, but I couldn’t find my keys ___.
Final Mini Quiz
One last check before you mark the lesson complete.
Which sentence is correct?
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