Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns are words that refer to people, places, or things without saying exactly who, where, or what they are. We use them when we don't know the specific details or when the details are not important. Learn how to use indefinite pronouns such as someone, anyone, everyone, something, anything, and nothing. This guide explains their meaning, when to use them in positive, negative, and question sentences, and common grammar rules.
How to use
We divide indefinite pronouns into three main groups based on what we are talking about: people, things, or places.
- People: someone, anyone, everyone, no one
- Things: something, anything, everything, nothing
- Places: somewhere, anywhere, everywhere, nowhere
We usually use someone, something, and somewhere in positive sentences when we talk about something that exists or when we expect the answer to be 'yes.'
- Someone called you this morning.
- I have something for you.
- We stayed somewhere near the beach.
We use anyone, anything, anywhere in three situations: negative sentences, questions, and positive sentences where the specific person, thing, or place is not important (meaning it doesn't matter who/what/where).
- She didn't see anyone at the park.
- Is anyone home right now?
- Sit anywhere you feel comfortable.
We use everyone, everything, and everywhere in positive sentences to talk about the whole group.
- Everyone enjoyed the party.
- Everything is ready.
- There were flowers everywhere.
We use no one, nothing, nowhere to say that there is zero of something in positive sentences (but with a negative meaning). This means you cannot use them with the word 'not' in the same sentence.
- No one came to the party.
- There is nothing in the box.
- We have nowhere to park.
Although these words may refer to many people or things, they usually take a singular verb.
- Everyone is here.
- Something smells good.
- No one knows the answer.
