Indefinite Pronouns

A pronoun that does not have a known antecedent is called an indefinite pronoun. It refers to a person or thing only generally.

Anybody can come.
Several will walk.
Something is missing.

Singular

Some indefinite pronouns refer to only one person or thing. They are singular and take singular verbs:

another
anything
everybody
each
nothing
somebody
much

anybody
neither
everyone
nobody
other
someone

anyone
either
everything
no one
one
something

Everybody wants success.
Each of the students tries hard.
Neither of us is going to fail.
Nothing is impossible.

Plural

The following indefinite pronouns refer to more than one person or thing. They take plural verbs:

several
ones

both
many

few
others

Both are fine.
Few were quiet.
Many are excited.
Others seem nervous.

Singular or Plural

The following indefinite pronouns can be singular or plural depending on their use in the sentence.

all
none

any
some

more
most

They are plural when they refer to things that can be counted.

Most of the offices are closed on holidays.

They are singular when they refer to something that cannot be counted.

Most of the pizza is gone.

Example 1

Write each indefinite pronoun and tell whether it is singular or plural in the sentence.

  1. Much has been written about college.
  2. Each must make his or her own decisions.
  3. Many of the students want more information.
  4. All of the snow is melting.
  5. All are invited to the meeting.
  6. None of the horses were properly shod.
  7. I hope that all of the carnivores have been fed.
  8. Much of the opposition to the Constitution was led by George Mason.
  9. Today, many in Virginia remember George Mason.
  10. Has most of the food been prepared?
  11. Has all of the house been freshly painted?
  12. Of course, none of the delegates agree with the entire document.

Solutions

1. Much, singular
3. Many, plural
5. All, plural
7. all, plural (can be counted)
9. many, plural
11. all, singular (cannot be counted)

2. Each, singular
4. All, singular
6. None, plural
8. Much, singular
10. most, singular
12. none, plural (can be counted)

Example 2

Choose the correct verb form (singular or plural) to match the indefinite pronoun in each sentence.

  1. All of you (is, are) welcome.
  2. Many (need, needs) surfboards.
  3. Few (has, have) enough patience.
  4. (Is, Are) anything more fun than the ocean?
  5. (Is, Are) all of you familiar with George Mason?
  6. Few in Virginia (have, has) forgotten him.
  7. Many of us (realize, realizes) that he refused to sign the Constitution.
  8. (Is, Are) anything more important than our Bill of Rights?

Solution

  1. All of you are welcome.
  2. Many need surfboards.
  3. Few have enough patience.
  4. Is anything more fun than the ocean?
  5. Are all of you familiar with George Mason?
  6. Few in Virginia have forgotten him.
  7. Many of us realize that he refused to sign the Constitution.
  8. Is anything more important than our Bill of Rights?

Adjective or Pronoun?

When indefinite pronouns are placed before nouns, they function as indefinite adjectives.

Some are too ripe. (pronoun)
Some pears are too ripe. (adjective)

He gave one to each. (pronoun)
He gave one to each person. (adjective)

Agreement with Antecedents

If an indefinite pronoun is the antecedent for a personal pronoun, the personal pronoun must agree in number, person, and gender with its antecedent.

There is an exception. When writing, we do not use the plural their with the singular indefinite pronouns everyone, everybody, etc. When speaking, however, it has become acceptable to use their when the phrase his or her would sound awkward.

WRITTEN: Everybody can bring his or her own surfboard.
SPOKEN: Everybody can bring their own surfboard.

Example 3

Choose the correct personal pronoun to match the antecedent when writing.

  1. Something left (their, its) footprints in the mud.
  2. Neither of the boys forgot (their, his) money.
  3. Some have paid (their, his or her) dues already.
  4. Most of the colonists appreciated (their, his or her) freedom.
  5. Everybody lived in (their, his or her) own way.
  6. Nobody criticized (their, his or her) neighbor.

Solutions

1. The antecedent something is singular, so we choose the singular personal pronoun its.

Something left its footprints in the mud.

2. The antecedent neither is singular, so we choose the singular personal pronoun his.

Neither of the boys forgot his money.

3. The antecedent some refers to people, who can be counted. We choose the plural personal pronoun their.

Some have paid their dues already.

4. The antecedent most is plural; it refers to colonists, which can be counted. Therefore, we choose the plural personal pronoun their.

Most of the colonists appreciated their freedom.

5. The antecedent everybody is singular, so we choose the singular pronouns his or her.

Everybody lived in his or her own way.

6. The antecedent nobody is singular, so we choose the singular personal pronouns his or her.

Nobody criticized his or her neighbor.