"Is there ANYTHING in that bag? No, there's NOTHING". These are examples of indefinite pronouns. This lesson will teach you lots of indefinite pronouns and how to use them.
Indefinite pronouns are used to make reference to unspecified people, things, places or quantities; as such they are called “indefinite”. We have already seen some of the indefinite pronouns related to quantity in the lesson on quantifiers. Below you will find a list of indefinite pronouns with an explanation of their meaning, rules of use (Singular or Plural) and an example.
Indefinite pronouns are used to make reference to unspecified people, things, places or quantities; as such they are called “indefinite”. We have already seen some of the indefinite pronouns related to quantity in the lesson on quantifiers. Below you will find a list of indefinite pronouns with an explanation of their meaning, rules of use (Singular or Plural) and an example.
S = singular
P = plural
1. The singular form of the verb (third person) is used with singular indefinite pronouns.
Examples:
2. The rules regulating the uses of the indefinite pronouns that are compounds of “some”, “any” and “no” are the same as the rules of use for these quantifiers (“some”, “any” and “no”) when used alone. “Some” and its compounds are used in affirmative and interrogative sentences; “any” and its compounds are used in negative and interrogative sentences; and “no” and its compounds are used only in affirmative sentences (with a negative meaning). For more information, see the lesson on quantifiers.
2. The rules regulating the uses of the indefinite pronouns that are compounds of “some”, “any” and “no” are the same as the rules of use for these quantifiers (“some”, “any” and “no”) when used alone. “Some” and its compounds are used in affirmative and interrogative sentences; “any” and its compounds are used in negative and interrogative sentences; and “no” and its compounds are used only in affirmative sentences (with a negative meaning). For more information, see the lesson on quantifiers.
Examples:
3. When we make reference to an indefinite pronoun (singular or plural), we generally use the plural pronoun.
Examples:
4. We can use the saxon genitive with indefinite pronouns to indicate possession.
Example: