Indefinite
Pronouns
By: Julian Nigri
Introduction
Indefinite pronouns are used
to refer to people, places, or
things in a general way
without specifying who or
what exactly.
People: someone, no one, anyone,
everyone
Place: somewhere, nowhere,
anywhere, everywhere
Thing: something, nothing, anything,
everything
Indefinite Pronouns for
People
someone, no one,
anyone, everyone
When to Use:
Someone: Refers to an
unspecified person.
E.g., "Someone left their
toothbrush in the bathroom."
No one: Refers to the absence of people.
E.g., "No one brought shampoo to the trip."
Anyone: Used in questions or negatives, refers
to an unspecified person.
E.g., "Did anyone bring nail clippers?"
Everyone: Refers to all people in a group.
E.g., "Everyone needs to bring their own soap."
Example
Someone Example: "Someone forgot to pack
their razor for the trip."
No One Example: "No one remembered to
bring sunscreen to the beach."
Explanation:
"Someone" implies an unspecified person.
"No one" implies the absence of any person
involved.
Example
Anyone Example: "Does anyone need extra
dental floss?"
Everyone Example: "Everyone packed
toothpaste in their bags."
Explanation:
"Anyone" is often used in questions or to
imply uncertainty.
"Everyone" includes all members of a group.
Indefinite Pronouns for
Place
somewhere, nowhere,
anywhere, everywhere
When to Use:
Somewhere: Refers to an
unspecified location.
E.g., "I left my comb
somewhere in the house."
Example
Nowhere: Refers to no location.
E.g., "I found nowhere to store the extra
shampoo."
Anywhere: Used in questions/negatives to
refer to an indefinite location.
E.g., "Is there anywhere I can put my
shaving cream?"
Example
Everywhere: Refers to all places.
E.g., "There’s shampoo everywhere in the
store."
Example
Using "Somewhere" and "Nowhere"
Somewhere Example: "I left my nail polish
somewhere in the room."
Nowhere Example: "There was nowhere to
keep the extra makeup."
Explanation:
"Somewhere" is an indefinite but specific
location.
"Nowhere" implies the absence of any place.
Indefinite Pronouns for
Things
something, nothing,
anything, everything
When to Use:
Something: Refers to an unspecified
thing.
E.g., "I forgot something – was it my
toothbrush?"
Example
Nothing: Refers to the absence of any
specific thing.
E.g., "There’s nothing left of the deodorant."
Anything: Used in questions or negatives to
refer to an indefinite thing.
E.g., "Did you bring anything like sunscreen?"
Example
Everything: Refers to all things in a group.
E.g., "I packed everything, including my
toothpaste and razor."
Quiz Time!
___ forgot their toothbrush in the bathroom.
I looked ___ for my comb but couldn’t find it.
Is there ___ here who has sunscreen?
I have ___ for the trip, including shaving
cream and aftershave.
Quiz Solved!
Someone forgot their toothbrush in the
bathroom.
I looked everywhere for my comb but couldn’t
find it.
Is there anyone here who has sunscreen?
I have everything for the trip, including shaving
cream and aftershave.
