Indefinite Pronouns:Definition, Rules, list, and Examples

Test your understanding of indefinite pronouns with this quick grammar quiz and easy examples. Learn definitions, rules, and meanings through FAQs explained in simple English. Do you ever talk about someone, everyone, or nothing without actually pointing out a particular person or object? These kinds of words are known as indefinite pronouns. They’re extremely common in English and help us refer to people, objects, or quantities in a general, non-specific way. Instead of repeating nouns again and again, indefinite pronouns make our sentences sound smoother and more natural.
In this article, we’ll clearly explain what indefinite pronouns are, their definitions, types, rules of usage, and how they differ from other types of pronouns.

Table of Contents

What Is an Indefinite Pronouns?

Indefinite pronouns like someone, anything, everyone, and nobody refer to people or things without naming them directly. We use them when the exact person or object isn’t known or doesn’t matter in the context of the sentence.

Definition of an Indefinite Pronouns

An indefinite pronoun is a pronoun that does not refer to a specific person or thing.
The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary describes it as “a pronoun that does not refer to any particular person or thing, for example, ‘anything’ or ‘everyone’.

Rules for Using Indefinite Pronouns

Here are some important grammar guidelines you should keep in mind when using indefinite pronouns:

Rule 1 – Verb Agreement

Singular indefinite pronouns always take singular verbs.

Everyone enjoys chocolate.
Incorrect: Everyone enjoy chocolate.

Plural indefinite pronouns take plural verbs.

Many are chosen.
Incorrect: Many is chosen.

Rule 2 – Use of Possessive Pronouns

When an indefinite pronoun functions as the subject, it requires a singular possessive pronoun like his or her.

Someone left his or her bag here.

In modern English, a gender-neutral option is often used:

Someone left their bag here.

Rule 3 – Avoid Double Negatives

Avoid using another negative with a negative indefinite pronoun.
Incorrect: I don’t know nobody.
correct: I don’t know anybody.
correct: Nobody knows.

Rule 4 – Use of “Of” After Indefinite Pronouns

Certain indefinite pronouns are frequently followed by of + a noun phrase.

Some of the guests left early.
None of the juice was finished.

Rule 5 – Count and Noncount Nouns

Use much and little with noncount nouns, and many and few with count nouns.

Much time has been wasted.
Few students attended class today.

Examples of Indefinite Pronouns in Sentences

Someone called you a few minutes ago.
Is anybody inside the room?
Nobody wants to study on weekends.
I think something fell from the shelf.
Has anyone seen my keys?
Everyone arrived before the meeting began.
She didn’t notice anything unusual.
No one knows the truth yet.
There’s nothing left on the table.
Anybody can take part in the competition.
Somebody left a note on the desk.
We need someone to manage the event.
Do you know anything about this plan?
Everything looks perfect now.
Nobody opened the door.
Can anyone answer this question?
Something smells delicious in the kitchen.
Nothing can change our decision.
Everyone enjoyed the concert.
Is anybody coming along?

Test Your Understanding of Indefinite Pronouns

Let’s check how well you’ve learned about indefinite pronouns!
Fill in the blanks using the correct indefinite pronouns from your knowledge.

Fill in the blanks:

Can ___________ explain what’s going on here?
I searched for ________ sugar cubes, but I couldn’t find ________.
Jason invited ___________ to his birthday celebration.
Could you lend me ___________ to write with?
___________ enjoyed the concert yesterday.
___________ will be joining us for lunch today.
The teacher asked ___________ to sit in their assigned seats.
I believe ___________ borrowed my English notebook.
___________ wants to know what happened during the event.
The doctor advised me not to eat ___________ before the medical test.

Answers:

Can someone / somebody explain what’s going on here?
I searched for some sugar cubes, but I couldn’t find any.
Jason invited everyone / everybody to his birthday celebration.
Could you lend me something to write with?
Everyone / Everybody enjoyed the concert yesterday.
No one / Nobody / Everyone / Everybody will be joining us for lunch today.
The teacher asked everyone / everybody to sit in their assigned seats.
I believe someone / somebody borrowed my English notebook.
No one / Nobody / Everyone / Everybody wants to know what happened during the event.
The doctor advised me not to eat anything before the medical test.

Frequently Asked Questions about Indefinite Pronouns

Q1. What is an indefinite pronoun?

An indefinite pronoun is a word used in place of a noun when the exact person, object, or amount is not specified.

Example: Someone knocked on the door. — Here, “someone” refers to an unknown person.

Q2. What is the definition of an indefinite pronoun?

Different dictionaries define indefinite pronouns in slightly different ways:

Merriam-Webster Dictionary:
“A pronoun that does not refer to a specific person or thing.”
Oxford Learner’s Dictionary:
“A pronoun that does not refer to any person or thing in particular — for example, anything or everyone.”
Macmillan Dictionary:
“A pronoun that refers to no particular person or thing — such as anybody, everyone, or something.”

Q3. Can you give some examples of indefinite pronouns?

Yes! Here are some common indefinite pronouns used in English:

any, anyone, anybody, each, none, no one, nobody, everyone, everybody, something, nothing, everything, someone, somebody, many, several, few, all, some, one, another