INDEFINITE PRONOUNS-RULES
Indefinite pronouns with some and any are used to describe indefinite and incomplete quantities in
the same way that some and any are used alone.
Indefinite pronouns are placed in the same location as a noun would go in the sentence.
Noun Indefinite pronoun
I would like to go somewhere this
I would like to go to Paris this summer.
summer.
Jim gave me this book. Someone gave me this book.
I won't tell your secret to Sam. I won't tell your secret to anyone.
I bought my school supplies at the mall. I bought everything at the mall.
Affirmative
In affirmative sentences, indefinite pronouns using some are used to describe an indefinite quantity,
the indefinite pronouns with every are used to describe a complete quantity, and the pronouns
with no are used to describe an absence.
Indefinite pronouns with no are often used in affirmative sentences with a negative meaning.
Examples
• Everyone is sleeping in my bed.
• Someone is sleeping in my bed.
• No one is sleeping in my bed.
• I gave everything to Sally.
• He saw something in the garden.
• There is nothing to eat.
• I looked everywhere for my keys.
• Keith is looking for somewhere to live.
• There is nowhere as beautiful as Paris.
Any and the indefinite pronouns formed with it can also be used in affirmative sentences with a meaning that is
close to every: whichever person, whichever place, whichever thing, etc.
Examples
• They can choose anything from the menu.
• You may invite anybody you want to your birthday party.
• We can go anywhere you'd like this summer.
• He would give anything to get into Oxford.
• Fido would follow you anywhere.
Negative
Negative sentences can only be formed with the indefinite pronouns that include any.
Examples
• I don't have anything to eat.
• She didn't go anywhere last week.
• I can't find anyone to come with me.
Many negative sentences that include an indefinite pronoun with any can be turned into affirmative sentences
with a negative meaning by using an indefinite pronoun with no. However, there is a change in meaning with
this transformation: the sentence that includes an indefinite pronoun with no is stronger, and can imply
emotional content such as definsiveness, hopelessness, anger, etc.
Examples
• I don't know anything about it. = neutral
• I know nothing about it. = defensive
• I don't have anybody to talk to. = neutral
• I have nobody to talk to. = hopeless
• There wasn't anything we could do. = neutral
• There was nothing we could do. = defensive/angry
Questions
Pronouns formed with any and every are used to form true questions, while those with some generally imply a
question to which we already know or suspect the answer.
Examples
• Is there anything to eat?
• Did you go anywhere last night?
• Is everyone here?
• Have you looked everywhere?
Some and pronouns formed with it is only used in questions to which we think we already know the answer, or
questions which are not true questions (invitations, requests, etc.) The person asking these questions is
expecting an answer of "Yes".
Examples
• Are you looking for someone?
• Have you lost something?
• Are you going somewhere?
• Could somebody help me, please? = request
• Would you like to go somewhere this weekend? = invitation
