Indefinite pronouns do not refer to particular persons, places, things, or ideas.
Indefinite pronouns may either be singular or plural.
Singular indefinite pronouns take singular verbs. Examples of singular indefinite pronouns are each, everyone, anybody, either, neither, and something.
Plural indefinite pronouns take plural verbs. Examples of plural indefinite pronouns are both, few, many, several, and others.
Some indefinite pronouns are both singular and plural in number. These are all, any, most, none, and some.
Read and study the following questions and answers:
Question: What shall we give to the rich farmer?
Answer: Anything.
Question: Which is better, a fruit or a vegetable?
Answer: Either is good.
Question: Who can help us decide about this proposal?
Answer: Someone can, I am sure.
Question: To whom can we go for help?
Answer: No one right now.
Question: Who owns that stick on the table?
Answer: Someone from the group.
All of the italicized words in the answers above (anything, either, someone, no one, and someone) are indefinite pronouns. They do not refer to particular persons, places, ideas, or things.
Study the table that shows common indefinite pronouns and their corresponding number.
| Singular | anybody, anyone, anything, each, everyone, either, neither, everybody, one, nobody, somebody, no one, someone, nothing, something |
|---|---|
| Plural | both, few, many, most, others, several |
| Singular or Plural | all, any, most, none, some |