Indefinite Pronouns indicate unknown objects, signs, quantity.
| derivatives of indefinite pronouns | use | |||
| -thing |
-body |
-one |
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| indefinite pronoun some some, some, several |
something[ˈsʌmθiŋ] something, anything | somebody[ˈsʌmbɒdi], someone[ˈsʌmwʌn] someone, anyone | 1. In affirmative sentences. 2. In incentive offers. 3. In special matters. |
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| indefinite pronoun any[ˈeni] some, several, any |
anything[ˈeniθiŋ] something | anybody[ˈeniˌbɒdi], anyone[ˈeniwʌn] somebody | 1. In interrogative sentences. 2. In conditional sentences. |
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| anything | anyone, anyone | 3. In affirmative sentences. | ||
| nothing | nobody | 4. In negative sentences (with a negative form of the verb). | ||
| indefinite pronoun one any |
1. In sentences that correspond to Russian indefinite personal sentences to denote an indefinite person. 2. To avoid repetition of a previously mentioned noun. |
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Indefinite pronoun some
1. English pronoun some has no categories of gender, number and case. It is used as a definition before a noun or independently. It is most often not translated into Russian and in English it is often, but not always, used in affirmative sentences.
Examples: There are some letters on the shelf. – There are several letters on the shelf (affirmative sentence).
Pass me some bread, please. – Pass me the bread, please (incentive offer).
Who has got some colored pencils? – Who has colored pencils? (special question)
2. Pronoun some often used in questions for which the answer “yes” is expected. Some also used in questions when the request or suggestion contained in them prompts the listener to answer positively - “yes”.
Examples: Could I have some more coffee, please? – Yes, of course. – Can I have some more coffee, please? Yes please.
3. Pronoun some often used to create contrast.
Examples:Some museums are worth visiting, but others aren’t. Some museums are worth visiting, but others are not.
Indefinite pronoun any
1. English pronoun any has no categories of gender, number and case. It is used as a definition before a noun or independently. In English it is most often used in negative sentences, but not always.
Examples: There is not any chalk in this box. – There is (not) chalk in this box (negative sentence).
Have you got any writing paper? – Do you have any paper for notes? (interrogative sentence)
If you need any information, tell me. – If you need any information, tell me (conditional sentence)
I can come and see you any day next week. “I can come and see you any day next week.”
2. Pronoun any used after words with a negative meaning, for example without– without, if not, never- never, rarely- infrequently, rarely- rarely, hardly– barely, almost not, etc.
Examples: I found a taxi without any trouble. – I found a taxi without (any) problems.
Indefinite pronoun one
1. Pronoun one has the categories of case and number and acts as a definition in a sentence. The possessive case form is formed like a noun. The plural form is formed.
Examples:One must always be in time for classes. – You need to come to class on time. (the sentence corresponds to the Russian indefinite-personal sentence to denote an indefinite person)
My new house is much bigger than my old one. – My new house is much larger than the old one (to avoid repeating the previously mentioned noun).
Examples: Which picture do you prefer, this one or that one? – Which painting do you prefer, this one or that one?
I like these shoes more than those. – I like these shoes better than those.
I like these shoes more than those white ones. – I like these shoes more than those white ones (before the pronoun ones worth adjective white).
4. Pronoun one can be used in questions Which one(s)..? and after each.
Examples:Which one is correct? – – Which one is correct? (for example about the answer)
Each one did his part. “Everyone did what they were supposed to do.”
5. Pronoun one(s) used only instead of countable nouns. With uncountable nouns (glass - glass, water - water, sand - sand, etc.) the noun is either repeated, or it can often be omitted.
Examples: There is some brown sugar in the cupboard, but there isn’t any white ( sugar). – There is brown sugar in the cupboard, but no white (sugar).
Derivations from the pronouns some and any - something, anything, somebody, anybody, anyone, someone, etc.
1. Derivative indefinite pronouns are formed by adding to some And any -thing, -body, -one and do not have categories of gender and number. Difference between something/somebody And anything/anybody etc. similar to the difference between some And any.
2. Derivative indefinite pronouns something/somebody/someone are used most often in affirmative sentences, and anything/anybody/anyone used in negative sentences and questions.
Examples: It may be something you need, something you want or something you desire. – It could be something you need, something you want or something you dream about.
Somebody has written in my book. – Someone wrote in my book.
There isn't anybody watching the TV at the moment. – Nobody is watching TV at the moment.
Have you got anything to say? Do you have anything to say?
But note that very often in English something/somebody etc. are used in questions when we expect or want to receive the answer “yes” (when expressing proposals and requests).
Examples: Can I get you something to drink? – Can I offer you something to drink?
Would you like someone to help you? – Would you like someone to help you?
3. If derivatives from a pronoun some And any act as the subject, the verb is used singular.
Examples:Something is wrong with you. - Something is wrong with you.
Anything is possible! - Everything is possible!
4. Pronouns ending in –body or –one, For example, somebody/someone, anybody/anyone have a case category– general and possessive. The possessive case form is formed by analogy with a noun.
Examples: There was someone's bag in the hall. “Someone’s bag was hanging in the hallway.
Indefinite pronouns are needed when talking about an unknown object, person, substance, or if their quantity is unknown. They can be translated depending on the context.
In a proposal they may be:
Subject:
cannot make friends without being ready to reach a compromise. It is impossible to make friends if you are not willing to compromise.
Definition:
Can I borrow some textbooks from your library?
Addition:
I can give you some. If you like tomato juice, I can give you some.
In order not to get confused when using indefinite pronouns in English, you can use the table below of indefinite pronouns in English.
Table of indefinite pronouns in English
| Word | Translation | Function | Example |
| some (any) | some, several | Indicates an unspecified quantity. | Some men stole my blanket. Some people stole my blanket. |
| somebody (someone) | Someone, someone, someone | Plays the role of an unidentified person. | Somebody helped me, when I passed out from pain. Someone helped me when I passed out from pain. |
| anybody (anyone) | Someone, someone, someone | Used in questions and negatives. | Does anyone hear me? Did I say anything inappropriate? Can anyone hear me? Did I say something inappropriate? |
| anything | Something, something, something | ||
| something | Something, something, something | Used when talking about an object unknown to the interlocutor (or speaker). | |
| one | Some, any | Often used in sayings when talking about people in general; in advice or prohibitions. Another function is to point to an object previously named. It is translated into Russian using repetitions or personal pronouns. | One must watch for one’s posture (You need to watch your posture). Ilovepets, butIcan’taffordtobuyone (I love pets, but I can’t afford to have a pet). |
Sometimes "anybody"/"anyone"/"anything" can be translated as "what/whoever/anyone".
You can think anything you want, but I am the one to make a choice. You can think whatever you want, but the choice is yours.You can pick any body from your class to go to your promwith. You can choose anyone from your class to go to prom with.
Perhaps the largest group of pronouns can be considered indefinite pronouns in the English language. They occur quite often in speech, such as the same Reflexive and Emphatic Pronouns (reflexive and intensifying pronouns), and therefore it is simply necessary to know them. As you already understand, we will talk about them today.
Indefinite Pronouns or indefinite pronouns are a group that shows that the pronoun does not refer to a specific person, place or thing. Most often, this group is used when they simply do not know or do not have the desire to name someone / something specific.
In simple words, these are used when talking about some kind of uncertainty. A similar group exists in Russian grammar. It is very similar to English, which means there should be no difficulties in learning it.
This group includes 4 main pronouns:
- some (some, some);
- any (some, some, everyone);
- no (none);
- every (everyone)
With their help, a series of derivatives are formed ending in –body, –one, –thing, –where.
So, if we are talking about people in an indefinite pronoun, they can contain –body and –one:
| Basic pronouns | Derivatives | |
| one | body | |
| some | someone - someone | somebody - someone |
| any | anyone - someone | anybody - someone |
| no | no one - no one | nobody - no one |
| every | everyone - everyone | everybody - everyone |
If we are talking about a thing, –thing is added to the pronouns:
| Basic pronouns | Derivatives |
| thing | |
| some | something - something |
| any | anything - anything |
| no | nothing - nothing |
| every | everything - everything |
If location is implied, the main pronouns are appended with –where:
| Basic pronouns | Derivatives |
| where | |
| some | somewhere - somewhere |
| any | anywhere - somewhere |
| no | nowhere - nowhere |
| every | everywhere - everywhere |
In this case, derivatives become adverbs.
In addition to the above indefinite pronouns, the following are also used:
Indefinite pronouns in English: the difference
You may have noticed that some pronouns translated into Russian have the same meaning. Accordingly, a question may arise about the difference between these pronouns. Let's look at this point in more detail:
- There is absolutely no difference between derived pronouns ending in –one and –body. They can be interchanged while maintaining the original meaning of the sentence:
| Everybody (everyone) is fine. | Everything is fine. |
- But the pronouns any and some, as well as their derivatives, have differences. Some and its derivatives are usually used in affirmative sentences, while any and its derivatives are used in negative and interrogative sentences:
With countable nouns, these pronouns are used to mean “a little.”
However, it is possible to use any to mean “any” in affirmative sentences:
- The pronoun any in the meaning “no” also has much in common with the pronoun no and its derivatives. Both of these words mean negation, but since English grammar allows only one negation in a sentence, while no itself already implies a negation, it is used in the affirmative form of a sentence, and any in the negative:
- Other and another are another pair of indefinite pronouns that can cause difficulties. Other is used to mean "other" with certain nouns. In such cases, it is preceded by the definite article the. It is also used for the plural. Another is used only with singular indefinite nouns. There is no need to precede it with an indefinite article.
- Both and either differ in that the first pronoun is used to mean “both”, and the second - “either one or the other”:
Indefinite pronouns in English: role in a sentence
Indefinite pronouns in sentences are:
- As the subject:
Please note that a singular verb is used after the pronouns.
- As a supplement:
- As a circumstance with derivatives ending in –where:
And also with derivatives that end in –one and –body in the possessive case:
Indefinite pronouns in English: usage
From the examples above, it was already possible to draw conclusions regarding the cases in which indefinite pronouns are used. But let's take a closer look at this point and still consider the main cases of their use. Indefinite articles are used:
- If you don't know the person/thing or don't want to name it exactly:
- If you want to generalize:
- To indicate quantity:
- To show negation:
- To replace or omit a repeated noun:
| Jim has a lot of friends but Jane has none. | Jim has friends, but Jane doesn't. |
| - Do you have money? - Yes, I have some. |
- You have money? - Yes, I have some. |
This was the basic information on this topic. To consolidate the material, do exercises on indefinite pronouns, and consolidate these exercises with practice. Subsequently, we will consider both the previously mentioned Reflexive Emphatic Pronouns and the other 7 types of pronouns.
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Indefinite pronouns are used when talking about persons or things, but it is unknown or unimportant who or what exactly they are. An indefinite pronoun only indicates that we are talking about persons or objects, but specific persons or objects are not named.
The following is a list of indefinite pronouns:
anybody, everybody, nobody, somebody, anyone, everyone, no one, someone, anything, everything, nothing, something
All indefinite pronouns are written together, except no one, which can also be written with a hyphen: no-one.
Use with singular verb only
With indefinite pronouns, the singular verb is always used.
Designation of objects
thing, are used to denote objects, ideas, situations and activities.
Can I do anything?
Jane said nothing for a moment.
Indefinite pronouns ending in – one And - body, are used to refer to people.
It had to be someone like Dan.
Why does everyone believe in the law of gravity?
Use with personal pronouns
Despite the fact that with indefinite pronouns the verb is always singular, the pronouns that replace them are plural pronouns: they, them, their or themselves.
Use
In formal English it is sometimes preferred he, him or himself for retrospective reference to an indefinite pronoun, however many English people object to this on the grounds that it implies that the person in question can only be male.
Somebody shouted and other voices joined him.
Everybody has his dream.
Everybody determines his own rates.
To denote objects belonging to or associated with people, an apostrophe is added to the indefinite pronoun 's(apostrophe s)
She was given a room in someone’s studio.
That was nobody's business.
I would defend anyone's rights.
Everything has been arranged to everyone’s satisfaction.
‘s is not usually added to indefinite pronouns denoting objects. So, for example, it is more likely to use the expression the value of something, than the expression something's value.
Use of adjectives
Adjectives are also used to convey additional information. Adjectives are most often placed after the indefinite pronoun, and determiners are not used. This is not the way to say it an important someone, it should rather be said someone important.
Use with else
If you have already mentioned some object or some person and want to designate another or another person or another object, you can use the word else after an indefinite pronoun.
If affiliation or association is expressed by an indefinite pronoun with else, To else's is added.
Did you take this photograph or was it someone else’s photograph?
No one has control over anyone else’s career.
Constructions with some- and every-
Like all substantive groups, indefinite pronouns are used in a sentence as a subject, direct or indirect object. They can also be used as complements to prepositions. Indefinite pronouns starting with some- And every-, are most often found in affirmative sentences.
Everything went according to plan.
I remember somebody putting a pillow under my head.
“Now you’ll see something.” he said.
I gave everyone a generous helping.
Sometimes they are also used as the subject of negative sentences.
Couldn't tell that something wasn't right.
Everyone hadn't arrived yet.
Indefinite pronouns starting with some-. are used as objects in a negative clause only if they are followed by a qualifier, usually a prepositional phrase or a relative clause.
Wasn’t someone I admired as a writer.
I wouldn’t forget something that I finished reading only half an hour ago.
Designs with any-
Indefinite pronouns starting with any-, are used as a direct or indirect object in a question or in a negative clause.
I couldn't kill anybody, Dr Marlowe.
You still haven't told me anything.
Take a good look and tell me if you see anything different.
I haven’t given anyone their presents yet.
They are often used as the subject of both negative and affirmative questions. However, they cannot be used as the subject of negative statements. So, for example, you cannot say: Anybody can't come in.
Does anyone agree with me?
Won't anyone help me?
If anything unusual happens, could you call me on this number?
Please note that in the affirmative statement anyone And anybody are used to refer to people in general, rather than any specific person.
Anybody who wants to can come in and buy a car from me.
Designs with no-
Indefinite pronouns starting with no- are always used with the affirmative form of the verb and give the sentence the status of a negative one.
Sometimes they are also used in questions. In such cases, the expected answer is most often negative.
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