What are indefinite pronouns and how are they used?

Indefinite pronouns refer to non-specific people or things (e.g., someone, anyone, everyone, something, anything, everything). They don't refer to any specific person, thing, or amount. Some are singular (use singular verbs) and some are plural (use plural verbs).

What's the difference between 'someone' and 'anyone'?

'Someone' is used in affirmative sentences when we mean an unspecified person. 'Anyone' is used in negative sentences and questions. Example: 'There's someone at the door' (affirmative) vs 'Is there anyone home?' (question). 'Any' can also mean 'it doesn't matter who' in affirmative sentences.

When should I use 'everyone' vs 'everybody'?

'Everyone' and 'everybody' mean exactly the same thing and are interchangeable. 'Everyone' is slightly more formal. Both are singular and take singular verbs: 'Everyone is here' (not 'are here'). The same applies to 'someone/somebody', 'anyone/anybody', 'no one/nobody'.

Why do we say 'everyone is' instead of 'everyone are'?

Even though 'everyone' refers to multiple people, it is grammatically singular and takes singular verbs. This is because we think of 'everyone' as one group or concept. Same for 'someone', 'anyone', 'no one', 'everybody', 'somebody', 'anybody', 'nobody'.

What are plural indefinite pronouns?

Plural indefinite pronouns include: both, few, many, several. These take plural verbs. Example: 'Both are correct,' 'Few understand this,' 'Many have tried,' 'Several were invited.' They refer to more than one person or thing.

What are singular indefinite pronouns?

Singular indefinite pronouns include: anyone, everyone, no one, someone, anybody, everybody, nobody, somebody, anything, everything, nothing, something, each, either, neither, one. These take singular verbs: 'Everyone likes pizza,' 'Something is wrong,' 'Each has its own color.'

How do I know if an indefinite pronoun is singular or plural?

Most indefinite pronouns ending in -one, -body, or -thing are singular. 'Both', 'few', 'many', 'several' are plural. 'All', 'any', 'more', 'most', 'none', 'some' can be singular or plural depending on context (what they refer to).

What does 'none' mean and is it singular or plural?

'None' means 'not one' or 'not any'. Traditionally, 'none' was considered singular ('None of the cake is left'). However, in modern English, when 'none' refers to plural nouns, it's often used with plural verbs ('None of the students have finished'). Both are acceptable, but formal writing prefers singular.

CEFR A2

Indefinite Pronouns

Master the special pronouns that refer to non-specific people or things. Learn to use anyone, someone, everyone, anything, something, everything, both, few, many, and several correctly with singular or plural verbs.

Master Indefinite Pronouns

What You Will Learn

Indefinite pronouns refer to non-specific people, places, or things. Master these essential pronouns to talk about general or unknown quantities and learn when to use singular or plural verbs.

Use singular verbs with pronouns ending in -one, -body, -thing

Use plural verbs with both, few, many, several

Know the difference between someone, anyone, everyone, no one

Use anything, something, everything, nothing correctly

Understand flexible pronouns like all, any, most, none, some

What Are Indefinite Pronouns?

SOMEONE, SOMETHING, SOMEWHERE — use in positive statements and in offers/requests where you expect a yes answer.

Someone called you.I need something to eat.She lives somewhere in the city.Can I have something to drink?

Verb agreement

Indefinite pronouns are always SINGULAR — use is/was/has not are/were/have. 'Someone is at the door.' ✗ 'Someone are at the door.'

Indefinite pronouns are pronouns that don't refer to any specific person, thing, or amount. They are vague or "not definite." We use them when we don't need or want to specify exactly who or what we're talking about.

Key Characteristics

• Refer to non-specific people or things

• Don't have antecedents (specific nouns they replace)

• Can be singular or plural

• Some can be both singular and plural depending on context

• Often used when the exact identity isn't important

Common Indefinite Pronouns

• People: someone, anyone, everyone, no one, somebody, anybody, everybody, nobody

• Things: something, anything, everything, nothing

• Plural: both, few, many, several

• Flexible: all, any, more, most, none, some

• Singular: each, either, neither, one

Key Rule: Singular vs Plural Verbs!

The most important rule: Match the verb to the pronoun's number (singular or plural).

✓ Singular: Everyone is here. (not "are")

✓ Plural: Both are correct. (not "is")

✗ Wrong: Everyone are here. Both is correct.

A Party Surprise

Someone knocked on the door, and everyone turned to look.

Nobody knew who it was, but something told me it was a surprise.

Several of my friends were already there, and both of my sisters had arrived early.

When I opened the door, everyone shouted "Happy Birthday!" — nothing could have made me happier.

Indefinite pronouns help us talk about people and things without being specific — perfect for storytelling and everyday conversation!

Singular Indefinite Pronouns

Most indefinite pronouns are singular. They refer to one unspecified person or thing and take singular verbs (is, has, does, etc.).

Pronoun	Type	Examples (with singular verbs)
someone / somebody	person (affirmative)	• Someone is waiting for you. • Somebody has my book.
anyone / anybody	person (questions/negatives)	• Is anyone here? • I don't know anybody who speaks Russian.
everyone / everybody	all people	• Everyone likes pizza. • Everybody has arrived.
no one / nobody	no person	• No one knows the answer. • Nobody is perfect.
something	thing (affirmative)	• Something is wrong with my computer. • I need something that works.
anything	thing (questions/negatives)	• Do you need anything? • I can't find anything that fits.
everything	all things	• Everything is ready for the party. • Everything has its price.
nothing	no thing	• Nothing makes sense anymore. • Nothing is impossible.

Easy Rule to Remember

If it ends in -one → SINGULAR

If it ends in -body → SINGULAR

If it ends in -thing → SINGULAR

Each, either, neither → SINGULAR

Singular Verb Forms

Everyone is here. (not "are")

Something has happened. (not "have")

Nobody knows the answer. (not "know")

Each student has a book. (not "have")

Try It

Choose the correct verb for each singular indefinite pronoun:

1. Everyone __________ (is/are) invited.

2. Something __________ (smell/smells) good.

3. Nobody __________ (know/knows) what happened.

4. Anything __________ (is/are) possible.

5. Each student __________ (have/has) a different opinion.

💡 💡 Check your answers

1. Everyone is invited.

2. Something smells good.

3. Nobody knows what happened.

4. Anything is possible.

5. Each student has a different opinion.

Want to try a Indefinite Pronouns quiz?

Practice with multiple choice questions

Plural Indefinite Pronouns

Some indefinite pronouns are plural. They refer to more than one unspecified person or thing and take plural verbs (are, have, do, etc.).

Plural Pronouns (Use Plural Verbs)

Both

• Both of my brothers are engineers.

• I like both of these dresses.

• Both options are good.

Few

• Few people understand this.

• Very few have succeeded.

• A few of my friends are coming.

Many

• Many students have this problem.

• Many of us disagree.

• Many think differently.

Several

• Several books are missing.

• Several of my colleagues are sick.

• Several people have complained.

Flexible Pronouns (Singular or Plural)

Depends on Context

• All, any, more, most, none, some

• Look at what they refer to

• Uncountable = singular verb

• Plural countable = plural verb

Examples

• All of the cake is gone. (cake = uncountable → singular)

• All of the students are here. (students = plural)

• Most of the work is finished. (work = uncountable)

• Most people agree. (people = plural)

Singular vs Plural Comparison

Singular (is/has/does)

Everyone is happy.

Something has changed.

Nobody knows.

Ends in -one, -body, -thing

Plural (are/have/do)

Both are correct.

Many have tried.

Few understand.

Both, few, many, several

Quick Reference Chart

Always Singular

• anyone, someone, everyone

• anybody, somebody, everybody

• anything, something, everything

• each, either, neither, one

Always Plural

• both

• few

• many

• several

Flexible (Depends)

• all

• any

• more

• most

• none

• some

For flexible pronouns: Look at the noun they refer to. Uncountable = singular verb, Plural countable = plural verb.

Ready to test your Indefinite Pronouns knowledge?

Challenge yourself with fill-in-the-blank exercises

Usage Differences

Learn the important differences between similar indefinite pronouns and when to use each one.

Someone vs Anyone

Someone/Somebody

• Used in affirmative sentences

• Means "an unspecified person"

• We expect the answer "yes"

• Example: There's someone at the door.

• Example: I need someone to help me.

Anyone/Anybody

• Used in questions and negatives

• Means "any person at all"

• We don't know if the answer is yes/no

• Example: Is anyone home?

• Example: I don't know anyone here.

Exception: "Anyone" can be used in affirmative sentences to mean "it doesn't matter who": "Anyone can learn English if they practice enough."

Something vs Anything

Something

• Used in affirmative sentences

• Means "an unspecified thing"

• We know something exists

• Example: I want something to eat.

• Example: There's something in my eye.

Anything

• Used in questions and negatives

• Means "any thing at all"

• We don't know if something exists

• Example: Do you need anything?

• Example: I don't have anything to wear.

Everyone vs Every one

Everyone (one word)

• Means "every person"

• Refers to people only

• Example: Everyone enjoyed the party.

• Example: Everyone is welcome.

• Singular: Everyone is here.

Every one (two words)

• Means "each individual one"

• Can refer to people or things

• Usually followed by "of"

• Example: Every one of the students passed.

• Example: I read every one of those books.

Important: Few vs A Few

Few (without "a")

• Means "not many"

• Has a negative meaning

• Emphasizes the small number

• Example: Few people understand this. (not many, almost none)

• Example: He has few friends. (not many friends)

A few (with "a")

• Means "some" or "a small number"

• Has a positive meaning

• Emphasizes that there are some

• Example: A few people came to the party. (some people came)

• Example: I have a few ideas. (I have some ideas)

Same for "little" vs "a little" with uncountable nouns: "I have little money" (almost no money) vs "I have a little money" (some money).

Real-Life Usage Examples

See how indefinite pronouns are used in different everyday situations.

Daily Conversations 🗣️

Is there anyone who can help me with this? (asking for help)

Something smells amazing! What are you cooking? (noticing something)

I don't know anything about cars. (expressing lack of knowledge)

Everyone needs to submit their report by Friday. (giving instructions to a group)

Work & School 💼

Several employees have requested flexible hours. (reporting a number)

Both candidates are qualified for the position. (comparing two options)

Many students find this topic difficult. (talking about a common experience)

Nobody has the answer to question number 5. (in a test or quiz)

Shopping & Services 🛒

Do you have anything in a smaller size? (asking in a store)

Everything in this section is 50% off. (advertisement)

Someone will deliver your package tomorrow. (customer service)

Few people know about this hidden gem of a restaurant. (recommendation)

Travel & Directions 🗺️

Is there anyone who speaks English here? (asking for help in a foreign country)

Something seems wrong with this map. (expressing confusion)

Both flights arrive at the same time. (comparing travel options)

Many tourists visit this monument every year. (giving information)

Common Mistakes

❌ Everyone are coming to the party.

✓ Everyone is coming to the party.

'Everyone' is singular (use 'is', not 'are')

❌ I need to talk with someone about this problems.

✓ I need to talk with someone about this problem.

'Someone' is singular, so use singular nouns after it

❌ Both of the option is good.

✓ Both of the options are good.

'Both' is plural and refers to plural nouns (options, not option)

❌ I don't have something to wear.

✓ I don't have anything to wear.

Use 'anything' (not 'something') in negative sentences

❌ Anybody know the answer?

✓ Does anybody know the answer?

With indefinite pronouns in questions, still use 'do/does/did'

❌ Few understands this complex topic.

✓ Few understand this complex topic.

'Few' is plural (use plural verb 'understand', not 'understands')

❌ Each of the students have their own book.

✓ Each of the students has his or her own book.

'Each' is singular (use 'has', not 'have')

❌ Is there someone at home?

✓ Is there anyone at home?

Use 'anyone' (not 'someone') in questions when you don't know if someone is there

❌ Everything are ready for the meeting.

✓ Everything is ready for the meeting.

'Everything' is singular (use 'is', not 'are')

❌ Several has complained about the noise.

✓ Several have complained about the noise.

'Several' is plural (use 'have', not 'has')

Master Indefinite Pronouns sentence building!

Drag and drop words to form correct sentences

Practice Tips

Remember the -one, -body, -thing rule: These endings mean singular verbs.

Memorize the plural ones: both, few, many, several always take plural verbs.

Use someone/something in affirmative sentences, anyone/anything in questions and negatives.

For flexible pronouns (all, any, most, none, some), look at what they refer to: uncountable = singular, plural countable = plural.

Practice with opposites: everyone ↔ no one, everything ↔ nothing, somebody ↔ nobody.

Be careful with each, either, neither - they are always singular even when referring to two things.

Create your own sentences for different situations: at work, shopping, traveling, with friends.

Use the speaking practice section to work on your pronunciation and fluency with indefinite pronouns.

Speaking Practice

To practice your pronunciation, listen to the native speaker audio first. Then 'Record' yourself repeating what you heard, then use the 'Playback' button to compare your pronunciation with the native speaker. If you want to record yourself again, simply click 'Delete'!

Someone is at the door.

Everyone has their own opinion.

I can't find anything in this mess.

Something smells delicious in the kitchen.

Both of my parents are doctors.

Few people understand this complex topic.

Many have tried, but few have succeeded.

Several students were absent yesterday.

Your exercises are loading!

Continue Your Learning Journey

Keep building your English skills with these carefully selected next steps

Help Other People Just Like You Improve Their English!

Share Free Daily English With Them Today!