Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite Pronouns

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Indefinite pronouns are pronouns that do not refer to a particular person, place, thing, or idea. They refer to any or all of a group.

• They can be singular or plural. Some can be either, depending how they're used in the sentence.

• If the indefinite pronoun is the subject of the sentence, the verb (predicate) must agree with it in number.

Ex. Does anyone know the story of King Midas?

• Everyone discusses the plot. (S)

• Both talk about King Minos. (P)

• All of mythology is about beliefs and ideals. (S)

• All of the myths are about beliefs and ideals. (P)

Possessive pronouns often have indefinite pronouns as their antecedents. In such cases, the pronouns must agree in number.

• Each of the characters has his or her motive.

• Several have conflict with their rivals.

  
  

Identify the indefinite pronoun in each sentence.

Multiple Choice

I could not get anything done because of the noise.

• I

• anything

• done

• noise

Multiple Choice

All of my shoes are old and worn.

• all

• my

• shoes

• and

Multiple Choice

A few did not want to attend the meeting.

• a

• few

• attend

• meeting

Multiple Choice

Did you study everything in the book?

• did

• you

• study

• everything

Multiple Choice

Each of us has a role to fill.

• each

• us

• role

• to

Identify whether the highlighted indefinite pronoun is singular or plural.

If the indefinite pronoun is the subject of the sentence, use the given verb to help you.

Multiple Choice

We saw something behind the tree.

• singular

• plural

Multiple Choice

Nobody witnessed the accident.

• singular

• plural

Multiple Choice

Some of my questions were not answered.

• singular

• plural

Multiple Choice

There are only a few of us who know the secret.

• singular

• plural

Multiple Choice

Was anyone at home when you knocked on the door?

• singular

• plural