Indefinite pronouns

Pronouns

1. Indefinite pronouns with some, any, no and every

There is nobody in the room.

I have something in my eye.

2. When do we use the indefinite pronouns: some, any, no and every?

The indefinite pronouns constructed with some, any, no and every vary depending on whether we are referring to people, things or places and also depending on the type of sentence: affirmative, negative or interrogative.

• Affirmative sentences

  The indefinite pronouns used in sentences with a positive verb are:

  	Pronouns		Examples
  PEOPLE	Somebody / Someone	Unspecified or unknown person	There is somebody in the kitchen.
  	Anybody / Anyone	It doesn’t matter who	Anyone can be a hero.
  	Nobody / No one	No person	Nobody knows the truth.
  	Everybody / Everyone	All people	Everybody is excited.
  THINGS	Something	Unspecified or unknown thing	There is something under the table.
  	Anything	It doesn’t matter what thing	I would do anything to get his autograph.
  	Nothing	Not a thing	It's nothing, don't worry.
  	Everything	All things	Everything is ready.
  PLACES	Somewhere	Unspecified or unknown place	Let's find somewhere to park the car.
  	Anywhere	It doesn’t matter what place	Your keys could be anywhere.
  	Nowhere	No place	This road leads nowhere.
  	Everywhere	All places	I've looked everywhere.

  Pronouns with some are used to describe an undetermined person, thing or place. The pronouns with no imply an absence of people, things or places and the pronouns with every, refer to the whole set of people, things or places.

  Pronouns with the particle no, are used with a positive verb because in English you cannot use two negative forms in one sentence.

  I want nothing. / I don't want nothing.
• Negative sentences

  Indefinite pronouns used in sentences with a verb in the negative form mainly begin with any:

  	Pronouns		Examples
  PEOPLE	Anybody / Anyone	Not a person	I don't know anybody in this party.
  	Everybody / Everyone	All people	She didn't invite everyone to the party.
  THINGS	Anything	All people	There isn't anything inside the box.
  	Everything	All things	You haven't put everything in the suitcase.
  PLACES	Anywhere	Not a place	There isn't anywhere to park the car.
  	Everywhere	All places	I can't be everywhere.

• Interrogative sentences

  The indefinite pronouns used in interrogative phrases are as follows:

  	Pronouns		Examples
  PEOPLE	Somebody	A person	Are you looking for somebody?
  	Anybody / Anyone	A person	Is there anybody home?
  	Everybody / Everyone	All people	Is everyone in the car?
  THINGS	Something	A thing	Did you say something?
  	Anything	A thing	Is there anything I can do for you?
  	Everything	All things	Is everything all right?
  PLACES	Somewhere	A place	Are you going somewhere?
  	Anywhere	A place	Did you go anywhere last weekend?
  	Everywhere	All places	Why is there water everywhere?

  In general, in interrogative sentences, we use indefinite pronouns with any. However, when we are quite sure that the answer to the question is a yes, we use some. That usually happens when the question is an offer or a request.

  

  Do you want to talk to someone in particular?

  

  Would you like something to drink?

Indefinite pronouns are used with a singular verb.

(he/she) Somebody is talking to our teacher.

(he/she) Nobody wants to work on Sundays.

Remember!