Indefinite Pronouns | Definition, Useful Rules, List & Examples

Indefinite Pronouns in English! Learn how to use these Pronouns in English: Somebody, Someone, Something, Somewhere, Anybody, Anyone, Anything, Anywhere, Nobody, No one, Nothing, Nowhere,…with ESL printable picture.

Indefinite Pronoun Definition & Rules

  • These pronouns are used to show unspecified objects or people, whether in plural or in singular.
  • They are used to indicate the entire noun or some of the noun or none of the noun.
  • They are used when we want to refer to group of nouns without actually specifying who or how much.

There are just two important rules for using indefinite pronouns correctly. Remember these and you will find that writing comes easier for you.

  • Indefinite pronouns, like collective nouns, can be singular or plural, depending on how they are used in a sentence
  • Singular indefinite pronouns take a singular verb; plural indefinite pronouns take a plural verb.

Indefinite Pronouns List

Some typical indefinite pronouns are:

  • Somebody
  • Someone
  • Something
  • Somewhere
  • Anybody
  • Anyone
  • Anything
  • Anywhere
  • Nobody
  • No one
  • Nothing
  • Nowhere
  • Everybody
  • Everyone
  • Everything
  • Everywhere
  • Few
  • Many

Let’s take some examples with the explanation to understand more clearly about indefinite pronouns:

If anyone has seen my notebook please return it to me.”– Here, we see the pronoun anyone is being used to refer to everyone without any specification.

“A few of the members were not satisfied with the service. – Few means a small number of people/objects. Hence, it is a plural indefinite pronoun.

Nobody was answering when I called them last.” – Here, we see a pronoun nobody being used to show no one at all. It is a singular indefinite pronoun.

Indefinite Pronouns Examples

  • It’s hard to say somebody is good, but still nobody can replace.
  • Sometimes, I just need someone to talk to.
  • It is easy to learn something about everything, but difficult to learn everything about anything. 
  • She needs to find somewhere to live.
  • We shouldn’t slight anybody even if he’s a nobody.
  • It was patent to anyone that she disliked the idea.
  • If anything can go wrong, it will. 
  • I’ve lost my keys. I can’t find them anywhere.
  • Everyone wants to be a hero, but no one wants to die.
  • The frog in well knows nothing of the great ocean.
  • The house was nowhere near the sea.
  • Everybody should be made aware of the risks involved.
  • His children go everywhere with him.

Indefinite Pronoun Infographic

Indefinite PronounsPin

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irish
irish
4 years ago

nice info, imma pass me test

Allian Christie
4 years ago

The info is great I’m learning alot

Last edited 4 years ago by Allian Christie
Teacher
3 years ago

Great material!

Batholomew Chege
Batholomew Chege
1 year ago

Great!!! Really helped me.

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