An indefinite pronoun is a pronoun that refers to non-specific beings, objects, or places.
Indefinite pronouns can represent either count nouns or noncount nouns and include a number
of sub-categories: universal, assertive existential, elective existential, and negative.
They are associated with indefinite determiners of a similar form. A pronoun can be thought
of as replacing a noun phrase, while a determiner introduces a noun phrase and precedes any
adjectives that modify the noun. Thus all is an indefinite determiner in "all good boys
deserves favour" but a pronoun in "all are happy".
List of English indefinite pronouns Note that many of these words can function
as other parts of speech too, depending on context. For example, in many disagree with
his views the word "many" functions as an indefinite pronoun, while in many people disagree
with his views it functions as a quantifier that qualifies the noun "people". Example
sentences in which the word functions as an indefinite pronoun are given.
Most indefinite pronouns are either singular or plural. However, some of them can be singular
in one context and plural in another. The most common indefinite pronouns are listed
below, with examples, as singular, plural or singular/plural.
Notice that a singular pronoun takes a singular verb AND that any personal pronoun should
also agree. Look at these examples: Each of the players has a doctor. I met two
girls. One has given me her phone number. Similarly, plural pronouns need plural agreement:
Many have expressed their views. Table of indefinite pronouns
*The elective existential pronouns are often used with negatives, and in questions.
List of quantifier pronouns English has the following quantifier pronouns:
Uncountable enough – Enough is enough.
little – Little is known about this period of history.
less – Less is known about this period of history.
much – Much was discussed at the meeting. more – More is better.
most – Most was rotten. plenty – Thanks, that's plenty.
Countable, singular one – One has got through.
Countable, plural several – Several were chosen.
few – Few were chosen. fewer – Fewer are going to church these
days. many – Many were chosen.
more – More were ignored. most – Most would agree.
Some people say that "none" should always take a singular verb, even when talking about
countable nouns. They argue that "none" means "no one", and "one" is obviously singular.
They say that "I invited five friends but none has come" is correct and "I invited five
friends but none have come" is incorrect. Historically and grammatically there is little
to support this view. "None" has been used for hundreds of years with both a singular
and a plural verb, according to the context and the emphasis required.
Possessive forms Some of the English indefinite pronouns above
have possessive forms. These are made as for nouns, by adding 's, or just an apostrophe
following a plural -s. The most commonly encountered possessive forms
of the above pronouns are: one's, as in "One should mind one's own business".
those derived from the singular indefinite pronouns ending in -one or -body: nobody's,
someone's, etc. whoever's, as in "We used whoever's phone
that is." those derived from other and its variants:
the other's, another's, and the plural others': "We should not take others' possessions."
either's, neither's Note that most of these forms are identical
to a form representing the pronoun plus -'s as a contraction of is or has. Hence someone's
may also mean someone is or someone has, as well as serving as a possessive.
Compound indefinite pronouns Two indefinite pronouns can sometimes be used
in combination together. Examples: We should respect each other. People
should love one another. And they can also be made possessive by adding
an apostrophe and s. Examples: We should respect each other's beliefs.
We were checking each other's work. See also
One Generic you
English personal pronouns English grammar: Pronouns
Numeral Notes
References
Bibliography Quirk, Randolph; Greenbaum, Sidney; Leech,
Geoffrey; Svartvik, Jan. A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language. Harlow: Longman.
pp. 376–392. ISBN 9780582517349. Haspelmath, Martin. Indefinite pronouns. Oxford:
Clarendon. External links
Using Indefinite Pronouns