Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns refer to one or several unspecified objects, humans, or places. They are called “indefinite” because they do not point to the exact item, person, or place.

Indefinite Pronouns follow two rules:

1. Indefinite pronouns can be singular or plural, or both depending on what they indicate in a sentence.

b) They follow simple rules of Subject-Verb agreement

         Singular indefinite pronouns take a singular verb

          Plural indefinite pronouns take a plural verb.

Singular

One---- everyone, someone, no one, anyone

Body--- everybody, somebody, somebody, anybody

Thing--- everything, something, something, anything

All these 12 words are singular that many people mistakenly take to be plural.

Everybody is here so we can start the meeting.

Other such singular ‘Indefinite Pronouns’ are---Neither, each, either

Each has his own opinion.

Neither of us is available for this meeting.

Plural

Both, many, few, others, several

Many people were called but only a few were given jobs.

Several job opportunities exist in our country.

Both of them hoped for a better outcome.

Singular or plural

A pronoun can be singular or plural depending on the context it takes.

all, most, none, some, any

Most of the employees are getting a raise (plural)

Most of the cake has been eaten. (Singular)