DEFINITE & INDEFINITE PRONOUN


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Definite and Indefinite pronoun
An indefinite pronoun does not refer to any specific person, thing or amount. It is vague and "not definite". Some typical indefinite pronouns are:
  • all, another, any, anybody/anyone, anything, each, everybody/everyone, everything, few, many, nobody, none, one, several, some, somebody/someone
Note that many indefinite pronouns also function as other parts of speech. Look at "another" in the following sentences:
  • He has one job in the day and another at night. (pronoun)
  • I'd like another drink, please. (adjective)
Most indefinite pronouns are either singular or plural. However, some of them can be singular in one context and plural in another. The most common indefinite pronouns are listed below, with examples, as singular, plural or singular/plural. 
Notice that a singular
 pronoun takes a singular verb AND that any personal pronoun should also agree (in number and gender). Look at these examples:


  • Each of the players has a doctor.
  • I met two girls. One has given me her phone number.
Similarly, plural pronouns need plural agreement: 


  • Many have expressed their views.
pronoun
meaning
example
singular
another
an additional or different person or thing
That ice-cream was good. Can I have another?
anybody/anyone
no matter what person
Can anyone answer this question?
anything
no matter what thing
The doctor needs to know if you have eatenanything in the last two hours.
each
every one of two or more people or things, seen separately
Each has his own thoughts.
either
one or the other of two people or things
Do you want tea or coffee? / I don't mind.Either is good for me.
enough
as much or as many as needed
Enough is enough.
everybody/everyone
all people
We can start the meeting because everybody has arrived.
everything
all things
They have no house or possessions. They losteverything in the earthquake.
less
a smaller amount
"Less is more" (Mies van der Rohe)
little
a small amount
Little is known about his early life.
much
a large amount
Much has happend since we met.
neither
not one and not the other of two people or things
I keep telling Jack and Jill but neither believes me.
nobody/no-one
no person
I phoned many times butnobody answered.
nothing
no single thing, not anything
If you don't know the answer it's best to saynothing.
one
an unidentified person
Can one smoke here? | All the students arrived but now one is missing.
other
a different person or thing from one already mentioned
One was tall and theother was short.
somebody/someone
an unspecified or unknown person
Clearly somebodymurdered him. It was not suicide.
something
an unspecified or unknown thing
Listen! I just heardsomething! What could it be?
you
an unidentified person (informal)
And you can see why.
plural
both
two people or things, seen together
John likes coffee but not tea. I think both are good.
few
a small number of people or things
Few have ever disobeyed him and lived.
fewer
a reduced number of people or things
Fewer are smoking these days.
many
a large number of people or things
Many have come already.
others
other people; not us
I'm sure that othershave tried before us.
several
more than two but not many
They all complained andseveral left the meeting.
they
people in general (informal)
They say that vegetables are good for you.
singular or plural
all
the whole quantity of something or of some things or people
All is forgiven.
All
 have arrived.
any
no matter how much or how many
Is any left?
Are
 any coming?
more
a greater quantity of something; a greater number of people or things
There is more over there.
More
 are coming.
most
the majority; nearly all
Most is lost.
Most
 have refused.
none
not any; no person or persons
They fixed the water so why is none coming out of the tap?
I invited five friends butnone
 have come.*
some
an unspecified quantity of something; an unspecified number of people or things
Here is some.
Some
 have arrived.
such
of the type already mentioned
He was a foreigner and he felt that he was treated assuch.

* Some people say that "none" should always take a singular verb, even when talking about countable nouns (eg five friends). They argue that "none" means "no one", and "one" is obviously singular. They say that "I invited five friends but none
 has come" is correct and "I invited five friends but none have come" is incorrect. Historically and grammatically there is little to support this view. "None" has been used for hundreds of years with both a singular and a plural verb, according to the context and the emphasis required




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