Indefinite pronouns: what are they, how to use, examples

You indefinitepronounsbelong to the great class of pronouns in English. They are also identified as compound pronouns|1|, why are formed by two words separate that combine. Furthermore, the indefinite pronouns are called that because do not refer to anything that is specific, that is, defined. We don't know what or who we're talking about.

They are also used in different types of sentences: affirmative, negative or interrogative. In view of all these details, we will explore, in this text, the different types of indefinite pronouns and its usage rules. Let’s go!!!

Read too: reflexive pronouns: what are and how to use?

**What are the indefinitepronouns?**

See in the following table the indefinite pronouns according to the use in different sentences and according to the words (add any no every) that give rise to them.

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add up

Any

At the

every

people

somebody - somebody

(affirmative phrases)

Anybody - nobody

(sentences with the verb in the negative form)

Somebody

(interrogative sentences)

Nobody - nobody

(phrases with the affirmative verb)

todo Mundo - everyone

(affirmative sentences and questions)

people

someone – someone (affirmative phrases)

Anyone - nobody

(sentences with the verb in the negative form)

Somebody

(interrogative sentences)

no one - nobody

(phrases with the verb in the affirmative form)

everyone - everyone

(affirmative sentences and questions)

thing

something - something

(affirmative phrases)

anything - nothing

(sentences with the verb in the negative form)

Something

(interrogative sentences)

Nothing - nothing

(phrases with the verb in the affirmative form)

Everything - everything

(affirmative sentences and questions)

place

somewhere - somewhere

(affirmative phrases)

Anywhere - nowhere

(negative sentences)

Somewhere

(interrogative sentences)

nowhere - nowhere

(phrases with the verb in the affirmative form)

everywhere - all the places

(affirmative sentences and questions)

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Rules for the use of indefinitepronouns

There are some usage rules that should be learned when studying the indefinite pronouns. First, all indefinite pronouns that start with disappear should be used in affirmative sentences, except when we offer something - in this case, disappearcan come in questions.

Second, to differentiate the use of at theand any, we must know that any accompanies a negative verb in the sentence and that at the accompanies a positive verb in the prayer. Already everyit can appear in both questions and affirmative sentences. See the examples below:

she told me something.
(She told me something.)
would like something to drink?
(Would you like to something to drink?)
I didn’t see anyone from our group.
(I have not seen nobody from our group.)
Nobody is living there.
(It does not have nobody living there.)
I have looked for you everywhere.
(I searched for you everywhere.)

Note that, in the fourth example, we use the verb is, therefore, after a indefinite pronoun, we must use the singular verb:

is is there anybody here?
(There is someone here?)
she has bought flowers for someone.
(Is it over there he bought flowers for someone.)
Everything was arranged for the trip.
(Everything was organized for the trip.)

When we refer to some indefinite pronoun, it is common to use the third person plural pronoun. However, we can also use the third person of the singular, HE/SHE |2|.

Everybody had the opportunity to say what they really thought.
(Everyone had a chance to say what they really thought.)
somebody left his or her book with me.
(someone left your book with me.)

Know more: Possessive pronouns: what are and when to use?

**Difference between indefinitepronouns and indefiniteadjectives (determiners)**

In the same way as the indefinite pronouns do not refer to something specific, the indefinite adjectives also do not express an idea of something exact|3|. In addition, the indefinite adjectives are not composed of two words, as with the indefinite pronouns. are examples of indefinite adjectives: disappear, any, many, a few, a lot, several.

THE main difference between them is in the use. You indefinite pronouns replace the place of substantive, while the indefinite adjectives modify the nouns that accompany. Finally, it is important to note that grammars usually deal with indefinite adjectives like quantifiers.

Note the following examples:

For this recipe, I will need add bananas.
(For this recipe, I will need some bananas.)
Really? I have disappear At home.
(Serious? I've some at home.)

See that, in sentences 1 and 2, we have a dialogue. At first, disappear it is a indefinite adjective that accompanies the noun bananas, modifying it, but without indicating a specific amount. On the other hand, in the second sentence, disappear it is a pronoun, because it doesn't change the idea of the noun bananas. In fact, it replaces it, that is, it takes up the idea of the first sentence of disappearbananas. To be one indefinite pronoun, it would need to be composed |2|:something, someone, somebody, somewhere.

Indefinite pronouns are also called compound pronouns. — You indefinite pronouns are also called compound pronouns.

solved exercises

Question 1 (CRM-PR - adapted) Judge the following item.

“Everybody” in “everybody could record” (line 13) and somebody are synonyms.

Right
Wrong

Solution

wrong because todo Mundo means "everyone/everyone", while somebody means “someone”. They could not, therefore, be synonymous.

Question 2 (IFB) Pronoun is a word used instead of a noun group for referring to a person, group, or thing that has already been mentioned or that is obvious from the context. The only option that does NOT present a pronoun is