Indefinite pronouns
We use indefinite pronouns to refer a person, thing, or place that is not known or specified.
Watch the video below to learn more about this topic:
Indefinite pronouns are composed of two parts.
- The first part talks about a number of elements.
- The second part lets us know if the pronoun refers to a person, thing, or place.
We always use a singular verb after an indefinite pronoun.
Everybody, Everyone, Everything, Everywhere:
We use these pronouns to refer a completed number of persons, things, and places. For example:
- Everybody came to the party. (All of the people on the guest list came to the party.)
- Everyone cheered the local team in the game.
- There are butterflies everywhere.
- We will buy everything for tomorrow's barbecue.
Somebody, Someone, Something, Somewhere:
- Is somebody calling?
- I want to eat something sweet.
- That building is somewhere between the 4th and 5th Avenue.
- Someone stole the jewels.
Anybody, Anyone, Anything, Anywhere:
- Is anybody here?
- Has anyone called yet?
- Is there anything I can do for you?
- I could go anywhere far from here.
Nobody, No one, Nothing, Nowhere:
We use these pronouns to deny or refer to an absence of persons, things, and places.
- As usual, he says nothing to me.
- Nobody came to the funeral.
- No one will believe me. My day was unbelievable.
- He has nowhere to spend the night.
The pronouns ending in -body and -one mean the same. The only difference between them is that -body is used in informal context, while -one is used in formal writing.