Indefinite Pronouns

Mini-lesson #10
From the UWF Writing Lab’s
101 Grammar Mini-Lessons Series
 Singular Indefinite Pronouns
 The following pronouns are
singular:
each, nobody, something, anybody,
no one, somebody, one, everybody,
someone, neither, anyone,
anything, either, nothing, everyone,
everything, and other pronouns
ending in one, body, and thing.
 Example: Everybody is going to the
party.
 Example: Only one of my friends is
going to the party.
 Example: Neither of my friends is
going to the party.
Plural Indefinite Pronouns

 The following pronouns are

plural:
Several, few, both, and many.

 Example: Several of my
friends are going to the party.
 Singular and Plural Indefinite Pronouns
 The following pronouns may be singular or plural depending on
either their antecedent (the word or phrase to which they refer) or
on the noun or pronoun in the prepositional phrase:
 Some, all, most, none, and any.

 Examples:

 Some of the mail has arrived.

 Some of the letters have arrived.

Singular and Plural Indefinite Pronouns,
Cont.

When none is used to mean not one of, it

is construed as singular; when it tells how
many, it is construed as plural.

Examples:

Of these medicines, none is effective.

None of the people are here.
 Practicing Indefinite Pronouns

Everybody (love/loves) somebody.

• Everybody loves somebody.

If either of the two students (are/is) caught

cheating again, he will be suspended for
three weeks.
• If either of the two students is caught cheating again, he
will be suspended for three weeks.
 Practicing More Indefinite Pronouns

Several of the audience members at the

circus (was/were) accosted by the juggling
platypus.
• Several of the audience members at the circus were
accosted by the juggling platypus.

Both of my parents (is/are) from Kentucky.

• Both of my parents are from Kentucky.
I hope everybody has a great day!