indefinite pronouns

 

The indefinite pronouns are:

somebody someone something
anybody anyone anything
nobody no one nothing
everybody everyone everything

We use indefinite pronouns to refer to people or things without saying exactly who or what they are. We use pronouns ending in -body or -one for people, and pronouns ending in -thing for things:

Everybody enjoyed the concert.
I opened the door but there was no one at home.
It was a very clear day. We could see everything.

We use a singular verb after an indefinite pronoun:

Everybody loves Sally.
Everything was ready for the party.

When we refer back to an indefinite pronoun we normally use a plural pronoun:

Everybody enjoyed the concert. They stood up and clapped.
I will tell somebody that dinner is ready. They have been waiting a long time.

We can add -'s to an indefinite pronoun to make a possessive.

They were staying in somebody’s house.
Is this anybody’s coat?

We use indefinite pronouns with no- as the subject in negative clauses (not pronouns with any.)

Anybody didn’t come >> Nobody came.

We do not use another negative in a clause with nobody, no one or nothing:

Nobody came.
Nothing happened.

We use else after indefinite pronouns to refer to people or things in addition to the ones we already mentioned.

All the family came, but no one else.
If Michael can’t come we’ll ask somebody else.
So that's eggs, peas and chips. Do you want anything else?

Exercise

Comments

AdamJK's picture
LearnEnglish
team

Hello,
Grammatically your sentence is fine. The meaning is ambiguous, because there isn't any context. I don't know if it means 'everyone should know' or 'I am sure everyone knows'. However, in a longer text, the meaning would be clearer.
Best wishes,
Adam
The LearnEnglish Team

dragligt's picture

i don't think this sentence:" somebody must know who committed this crime" is clear because we can understand with 2 meaning like everyone.. could you make it clear for me, thanks

AdamJK's picture
LearnEnglish
team

Hello,
I'm not quite sure what you're asking. This sentence can have two meanings, as I said in my previous comment. Without knowing the context, we can't be sure which one it is.
Best wishes,
Adam
The LearnEnglish Team

arisaed's picture

hi Alex
 

alex_sale's picture

Hello,
would both ways will be correct if I would say:
"I don't have anything to wear to the party tomorrow",and"I have nothing to wear to the party tomorrow"?
Thanks.

Jack Radford's picture
LearnEnglish
team

Hi Alex

Both sentences are correct.

Thanks

Jack

The LearnEnglish Team

jeeca2005's picture

The reading grammar is very important and it refelcts the knowledge of the speaker on english.
my grammar is not good, this site is very helpful. It willl be better, if some one from english country will available for voice Chat

Domino's picture

Hello,
I don't understand why it is not "anyone" in the 6th sentence instead of "no one". Is it because of the positive verb "walks"?
No one walks anywhere in the USA, they just get into their car.
 
Thank you.

Tedimpro's picture

Hi there,
why I cannot use 'nothing' in the 5th sentence.
'They spent absolutely nothing on that house. It looks amazing.'
Moreover why cannot I use 'everyone' in the 8th sentence.
'Everyone must know who committed this crime.'

andipangeran's picture

in the question number two, what if I answer 'nothing', would it be incorrect? why?
"There's nothing strange about that man"
Thanks :)