INDEFINITE PRONOUNS

1. An indefinite pronoun does not refer to any specific person, thing or amount. Examples of indefinite pronouns are:

Some Any None

Something Anything Nothing Everything

Someone Anyone No one Everyone Both

Somebody Anybody Nobody Everybody

Each

Either

2. We can use anybody instead of anyone, everybody instead of everyone and so on. 3. We use everybody when we want to include all the people. But we use anybody when we want to refer to just one person. Example: Does everybody know what happened to Adam? Does anyone know what happened to Adam?

4. Some and something refer to things. Someone and somebody refer to persons. Example: I have a cake; would you like some? Somebody is calling you

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5. None is the pronoun of no. Nothing means not any. No one and nobody refer to people. Example: she wanted a yellow ribbon but there is none in the shop. Nothing went right today I think there is no one at home Nobody answers the doorbell

6. Each is used when we refer to a number of persons or things individually Example: These apples cost forty cents each. Each of us need to pay RM5.

7. Both and either are only used in place of countable nouns. Both means two persons and things. Either refers to only one of two persons or things. Example: I hung both of the pictures on the wall If Jane did not go, she was not going either

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INDEFINITE PROUNOUNS EXERCISE.

Choose the best answer.

I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. XII.

(Everybody, Everything) was startled by the explosion. (Someone, Nothing) could be saved from the fire. Everything was burnt. The children are busy. (Either, each) has his own job to do. There isnt (something, anything) interesting in this book. If you dont want these two shirts, could I have (both, each)? (None, No one) is here; they have left already. Did (anyone, anything) tell you about the surprise party? He was searching for a few nails but there were (none, any) in the drawer. There girls were given a mop (some, each) and told to clean the floor. They have (everything, everybody) anybody could want. She lent me to dresses but I did not like (something, either). We put (something, anything) on the shelf but it is missing now.

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ANSWERS I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. XII. Everybody Nothing Each Anything Both No one Anyone None Each Everything Either something

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REFERENCES Tracey, R. (1989). KBSM ENGLISH GRAMMAR With Answers. Petaling Jaya: Pencetakan & Penerbitan Preston Times Sdn Bhd.

Gaudart. H, Hughes. R, Micheal. J. (2007). Towards Better English Grammar. Shah Alam: Oxford Fajar Sdn. Bhd.

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