B1Pronouns

Indefinite Pronouns

What is it?

Indefinite pronouns refer to non-specific people or things. COMPOUND PRONOUNS: everyone/everybody, someone/somebody, anyone/anybody, no one/nobody (people); everything, something, anything, nothing (things); everywhere, somewhere, anywhere, nowhere (places). QUANTIFIERS: all, some, any, none, both, each, every, either, neither, several, many, much, few, little. They don't refer to specific people/things: "Everyone is here" (all people, but not naming them). Most are singular: "Everyone is here" (not are). Some can be singular or plural: all, some, none.

How to form it

Subject	Positive	Negative	Question
Compound (people)	everyone, someone, anyone, no one, everybody, somebody, anybody, nobody	not used	Is anyone here?
Compound (things)	everything, something, anything, nothing	not used	Is there anything?
Compound (places)	everywhere, somewhere, anywhere, nowhere	not used	Are you going anywhere?
Quantifiers	all, some, any, none, both, each, every, either, neither	not used	Do you want any?
Singular agreement	Everyone is here. / Each is ready. / Nobody knows.	not used	Is everyone ready?
Plural agreement	Both are good. / Several are here. / Many know.	not used	Are both ready?

• Compound pronouns: everyone, someone, anyone, no one (+ thing, where, body)
• Everyone/everybody, someone/somebody, anyone/anybody: SINGULAR verb → Everyone is here.
• No one, nobody, nothing: negative (use positive verb) → No one is here. (not: isn't)
• All, some, none: can be singular or plural → All is ready. (singular) / All are ready. (plural)
• Both, several, many, few: always PLURAL → Both are good. / Several are here.
• Each, every, either, neither: SINGULAR → Each is ready. / Every student has...
• Use with 'of': some of, all of, none of, both of, each of, several of
• After indefinite pronouns: use they/them/their (informal) → Everyone has their book.

When to use it

1
Everyone/everybody/everything — all (singular verb)
"Everyone is here." / "Everybody knows." / "Everything is ready." / "Is everyone OK?"
2
Someone/somebody/something — an unknown person/thing (singular)
"Someone called." / "Somebody knows." / "Something happened." / "I saw someone."
3
Anyone/anybody/anything — any person/thing (questions & negatives)
Question: "Is anyone here?" | Negative: "I don't know anyone." | Positive: "Anyone can do it." (any person)
4
No one/nobody/nothing — zero (use positive verb)
"No one is here." (not: isn't) / "Nobody knows." / "Nothing happened." / "I saw nothing."
5
Both/several/many/few — plural verb
"Both are good." / "Several are here." / "Many know the answer." / "Few understand."
6
Each/every/either/neither — singular verb
"Each is ready." / "Every student has..." / "Either is fine." / "Neither is correct."
7
All/some/none — can be singular or plural
Singular: "All (of the water) is gone." | Plural: "All (of the students) are here."

Common mistakes

Everyone are here.

Everyone is here.

Everyone, everybody, everything are SINGULAR (use 'is', not 'are').

No one aren't here. (double negative)

No one is here.

'No one' is already negative. Use positive verb form ('is', not 'aren't').

Both is good.

Both are good.

'Both' is PLURAL (always use 'are', not 'is').

Each are ready.

Each is ready.

'Each' is SINGULAR (use 'is', not 'are').

Quick reference

Compound: everyone, someone, anyone, no one (+ thing, where, body)
Everyone/somebody/everything: SINGULAR → Everyone is here.
No one/nobody/nothing: negative + positive verb → No one is here.
Both/several/many: PLURAL → Both are good. / Several are here.
Each/every/either/neither: SINGULAR → Each is ready. / Every student has...
All/some/none: singular OR plural → All is ready. / All are ready.
Questions/negatives: anyone, anything, anywhere
After indefinite: use they/their → Everyone has their book.

Natural conversation example

Organizing a party

Tom

Is everyone coming to the party?

Lisa

I think so! Everybody said yes.

Tom

Great! Is there anything we need to buy?

Lisa

I don't think so. Everything is ready!

Tom

Did anyone call about the music?

Lisa

No, no one called. But several people offered to bring speakers.

Tom

Perfect! Both options sound good. Each is fine with me!

Practice Exercises

Complete with indefinite pronouns.

1.
is here. (all people)
2.
called. (unknown person)
3.
Is here? (any person)
4.
is here. (zero people)
5.
are good. (two things)
6.
is ready. (one by one)

Intensive Pronouns All Topics Either and Neither

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