Indefinite pronouns: One, someone, anyone, no one...

Indefinite Pronouns
Referring to an unknown or specified noun

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Definite Noun vs. Indefinite Pronoun

SUBJECT IS NAMED
SUBJECT IS AN INDEFINITE PRONOUN

A noun or personal noun is used when the subject is known and specified.
We use an indefinite pronoun when the noun is unknown or not specified.

Tom caught twelve fish.
Norman, Tom and Icaught fish.
Norman, Tom and I didn`t give up.
A fish got away.
Someone caught twelve fish.
All caught fish.
Nobody gave up.
One got away.


1. Indefinite Pronouns- Singular
Singular Indefinite Pronouns

Everybody
Everyone
Everything
Either
One
Another
Each
All
More
Most
Somebody
Someone
Something
Little
Some
Nobody
No one
Nothing
Neither
None



is ready to go.



I don`t think
anybody
anyone
anything
any
everybody
everyone
everything
either
one
another
each
much
more
most




is ready to go. (neg.)


anybody
nobody

anyone
no one

anything
nothing

any (with a noncount noun)
neither

*much
none¹ (with a noncount noun)


 

*Used mainly in questions and negative sentences

2. Indefinite Pronouns- Plural
 Plural Indefinite Pronouns


Both
Several
Others
All
Many
More
Most
Few
Some
None



are ready to go.

 
I don`t think
both
several
others
any
all
many
more
most



are ready to go. (neg.)

any (count noun)  many (with a count noun)


3. Indefinite Pronouns
Anyone / Any one
 
Anyone / Any one


ALL
ONE

Use – everyone, anyone –  as an indefinite pronoun to refer to the group.
Use – every, any – as a modifier to one to refer to the individual or a single item.

Has anyone seen my fishing pole?  (anybody)
Everyone is catching fish but me.   (everybody)
No one will help me find it.   (nobody)
Has anyone of you seen my fishing pole? 
Anyone (pole) will work well.

Everyone of you has caught a fish. 
Everyone of the fish is big enough to eat.
None¹ / Notone of you is helping me find my pole. 





4. Indefinite Pronouns
Nobody / Anybody
 
 Negative / Positive "polarity"
NOBODY


Use nobody as the subject of a positive statement. anybody = anyone 
POSITIVE VERB
Nobody fishes on the bridge after sunset.

NEGATIVE VERB OR A QUESTION
Nobody doesn`t fish on the bridge after sunset.
*I have never seen nobody fishing after sunset.
*Not nobody fishes after sunset.
*Hardly nobody fishes asfter sunset.
Can nobody fish after sunset?

ANYBODY


Use anybody  when it is not necessary to say `how many`. Use any after a negative verb or in a question
POSITIVE VERB OR A QUESTION
Anybody can fish if he/she/they want to.    
I have never seen anybody fishing after sunset.
Not anyone fishes after sunset.
Hardlyanybody fishes after six o`clock.
Can anybody fish after sunset?
NEGATIVE VERB OR A QUESTION
*Anybody can`t fish if they want to. 

*not used
Anybody alone does not have a negative meaning.  It is only negative when used with not.
 Everyone—their

II- Possessive refers to subject
 
Everyone`s Problem - Gender Neutral Phrasing


PROBLEM 
Although everyone is singular, it may include a group of individuals, some of which are male and others female. Because English is notblessed with a gender neutral singular possessive pronoun, people often use their when referring back to the subject.

SOLUTIONS
Some strategies that people use include: mentioning both possessive pronouns his or her (cumbersome), using `slash` forms his/her, s/he or s(he) (awkard), or rewording the sentence to plural, which can result in


Everyone had their hat.
The pronoun and noun do not agree in number.
Everyone must file his income tax by April 15.
Only men have to file their taxes? 

All the people washed their feet (confusing).
Everyone had his hat.  Use "his" for both genders