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?
Recherche
Tags for teachers
- No terms applicable.
A - Z of Content
- 1 de 6
- ››
Grammar Support
Read more about these areas of grammar:

Comments
Hello there,
the answer in number two is:
Q 2. there's something strange about that man.
thanks
thats agood cours!
very good exercise .I'm learning a lot. Many thanks to you .
is that true when I say "nothing is happened"?
I think "nothing has happened" or "nothing happened" is correct.
hello.
i cant understand when we must use 'anything' or 'nothing'.
is it wrong to say :
'I have nothing to wear to the party tomorrow.' ???
is it mean that when we use negative verb (don't, isn't...) we say 'anything', and in otherway - 'nothing' ???
team
Hi there,
Yes, it's correct to say 'I have nothing to wear to the party tomorrow.' If you were going to use 'anything', you would say 'I don't have anything to wear to the party tomorrow.'
If the meaning of the sentence is negative, we usually use 'anything' in sentences with a negative verb and 'nothing' in sentences with a positive verb. However, we can use 'anything' in sentences with a positive verb, for example 'When I'm hungry I will eat anything!'
I hope that helps.
Adam
The LearnEnglish Team
Thank you!
hello every body i'm new here :D:D:DD:D
'm a friendly person from albania and i love english languge