Post on 25-Jun-2015
Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite PronounsAn indefinite pronoun is a pronoun
that does not refer to a particular person, place, or thing.
Does anyone know the story of Midas?
Most indefinite pronouns are either singular or plural.
Indefinite PronounsSingular Plural
another everybody no one
anybody everyone nothing
anyone everything one
anything much somebody
each neither someone
either nobody something
both
few
many
others
several
All, any, most, none All, any, most, none and somesome can be singular or plural, depending on the phrase that follows them.
S A N E
O N O V
M Y E
E R
Y
BODY
S A N E
O N O V
M Y E
E R
Y
ONE
S A N E
O N O V
M Y E
E R
Y
THING
SomebodySomebody
AnybodyAnybody
NobodyNobody
everybodyeverybody
SomeoneSomeone
AnyoneAnyone
No oneNo one
everyoneeveryone
SomethingSomething
AnythingAnything
NothingNothing
EverythingEverything
Singular Indefinite Pronouns
One
Neither
Each
Another
Much
Either
Indefinite PronounsWhen an indefinite pronoun is used as the subject, the verb must agree with it in number.
Everyone discusses the plot. (singular)
Both talk about King Minos. (plural)
All of mythology is about beliefs and ideals. (singular)
All of the myths are about beliefs and ideals. (plural)
Indefinite PronounsPossessive pronouns often have indefinite pronouns as their antecedents. In such cases, the pronouns must agree in number. Note that in the first example the intervening prepositional phrase does not affect the agreement.
Each of the characters has his or her chapter.
Several have conflict with their siblings.
Guided Practice
Select the pronoun.
1. Each knows about the plot.
a. Each
b. about
c. the
d. plot
2. Many of the students do their homework.
a. Many
b. or
c. do
d. their
3. __________ of the boys offered their help to the little old lady who was crossing the street.
a. Another
b. Each
c. All
d. One
4. My sister is the _______ wearing the red shirt.
a. one
b. few
c. most
d. several
5. Which of the following indefinite pronouns can be either singular or plural?
a. few
b. none
c. nothing
d. many
Pronoun Agreement
Each of the students has his or her ideas about homework.
Singular indefinite pronoun
Singular possessive pronouns
6. Which verb agrees with the indefinite pronoun “many?”
a. walks
b. are
c. is
d. dances
Guided Practice
Select the appropriate pronoun.
7. No one brought ______ book.
a. his or her
b. their
8. Each has __ point of view.
a. his or her
b. their
9. All of the students give
_______ opinions, too.
a. his or her
b. their
10. Why are indefinite pronouns called “indefinite?”
a. They do not have one definition.
b. They refer to nouns are not defined – not specific.
c. They are impossible to see because they are invisible.