Indefinite Pronouns in English Grammar: Definition, Types, Rules and Examples

In English grammar, pronouns are used to replace nouns to avoid repetition and make sentences simplier. There are different types of pronouns, and indefinite pronouns are one of them. They are used to refer to a noun in a general way without mentioning exactly who or what it is. 

In this guide, you will learn what indefinite pronouns are, their types, rules, usage in sentences, common mistakes, and useful examples to help you understand them clearly and use them correctly in your writing and speaking.

Table of Contents

• What is an Indefinite Pronoun?
• Types of Indefinite Pronouns Based on Meaning
• Types of Indefinite Pronouns Based on Number Agreement
• List of 20 + Indefinite Pronouns with Examples
• How Are Indefinite Pronouns Used in Sentences?
• Difference Between Indefinite Pronouns and Determiners
• Common Mistakes in Using Indefinite Pronouns
• How to Avoid Gender Bias in Indefinite Pronouns
• Indefinite Pronouns vs Other Pronouns
• Indefinite Pronoun Examples in Sentence
• Indefinite Pronoun Exercises with Answers

What is an Indefinite Pronoun?

An indefinite pronoun is a pronoun used to refer to a person, place, or thing in a non-specific way. It does not point to any particular noun, making it useful when the exact identity is unknown or unimportant.
In simple terms, indefinite pronouns help us talk about people or things in a general way without naming them directly.

Indefinite pronouns are used when the speaker does not know, or does not need to specify, the exact person or thing being referred to. They can refer to a single person, multiple people, or even no one at all.

Examples:

• Someone is knocking at the door.

• Everybody enjoyed the trip.

• Few understood the lesson.

• Everyone in the family saw the comet except me.

• I asked someone to bring something sweet.

• Nobody answered the door when I knocked.
  
  

Types of Indefinite Pronouns Based on Meaning

There are different types of indefinite pronouns based on their meaning and what they refer to, such as all, some, none, or unknown people or things. Here are the main six types:

All of Something

Indefinite pronouns in this group refer to everything or all members of a group.

Examples:

• All of the lights in the building were turned off.

• Everyone in the class passed the final test.

• Everything in the box belongs to the teacher.

Singling Out

These pronouns are used to select one or more specific people or thing from a group.

Examples:

• Each of the students received a certificate.

• Either of the two books is fine for the project.

• Neither of the answers seemed correct.

Multiple Possibilities

These pronouns refer to an unlimited or wide range of options.

Examples:

• You can choose anything from the list.

• Anyone is allowed to join the competition.

• We could go anywhere for the school trip.

One Nonspecific Object

These refer to an unknown or unspecified person or thing.

Examples:

• Someone called you while you were out.

• I heard something strange in the hallway.

• Somebody left their notebook on my desk.

Absence

These pronouns show that nothing or no one is present.

Examples:

• Nobody showed up for the morning class.

• No one knew the answer to the question.

• Nothing was found in the lost and found box.

Amounts and Quantities

These pronouns refer to general or unspecified quantities.

Examples:

• Many of the guests arrived late to the event.

• Some of the cake was eaten before dinner.

• Few of the students completed the assignment on time.
  
  

Types of Indefinite Pronouns Based on Number Agreement

Indefinite pronouns are divided into three main types based on number agreement.

Singular Indefinite Pronouns

These pronouns always take a singular verb. Common singular indefinite pronouns are:

• everyone
• someone
• anybody
• nobody
• each
• either
• neither 

Plural Indefinite Pronouns

These pronouns take a plural verb. The common examples of plural indefinite pronouns are:

• few
• many
• several
• both 

Singular or Plural Indefinite Pronouns

These depend on the context or noun they refer to. Common examples of singular or plural indefinite pronouns are

• all
• some
• most
• none
• any

List of 20 + Indefinite Pronouns with Examples

Here is a list of 20+ indefinite pronouns with their types and examples.  

How Are Indefinite Pronouns Used in Sentences?

Indefinite pronouns are used as the subject or object of a sentence.

Indefinite pronouns as subject examples: 

• Someone is calling you.

• Everybody likes music.

Indefinite pronouns as object examples: 

• I met someone yesterday.

• She told nobody the secret.

Indefinite Pronouns in Negative Sentences

Indefinite pronouns are often used with negatives to express absence.

Examples:

• Nobody came to the party.

• I don’t know anyone here.

• She didn’t see anything.

Indefinite Pronouns in Questions

They are also used in interrogative sentences.

Examples:

• Is anybody home?

• Did someone call me?

• Are there any questions?

Difference Between Indefinite Pronouns and Determiners

Many words that function as indefinite pronouns can also be used as determiners. The difference depends on how they are used in a sentence. Indefinite pronouns stand alone and replace nouns. Whereas determiners come before a noun and describe or limit it.

The main difference between indefinite pronouns and determiner is that: 

• Indefinite pronoun replaces a noun and acts independently in a sentence.

• Determiner comes directly before a noun and modifies it. 

Here are few examples of how indefinite pronouns and determiners are used in sentences 

Common Mistakes in Using Indefinite Pronouns

• Wrong verb agreement

Incorrect: Everyone are coming.

Correct: Everyone is coming.

• Using incorrect plural forms

Incorrect: Each students

Correct: Each student

• Double negatives

Incorrect: I don’t need nothing.

Correct: I don’t need anything.

How to Avoid Gender Bias in Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns such as everyone, someone, each, and anyone are often used to refer to people in a general way. When referring back to these pronouns, it is better to use the singular they/their/them instead of gender-specific words like he or his. This makes sentences more inclusive and gender-neutral.

Here are few examples of how to avoid gender bias in indefinite pronouns: 

Indefinite Pronouns vs Other Pronouns

Pronouns are used to replace nouns, but not all pronouns are used in the same way. Some pronouns talk about specific people or things, while others refer to unknown or general people and objects. Indefinite pronouns are different because they do not point to a particular person or thing.

The table below shows how indefinite pronouns compare with other common types of pronouns:

Indefinite Pronoun Examples in Sentence

• Someone is waiting outside the classroom.

• Everybody enjoyed the school picnic.

• Nobody knew the correct answer.

• Anyone can participate in the competition.

• Many were excited about the trip.

• Few understood the difficult question.

• Several students joined the science club.

• Everything looks clean and organised.

• Somebody left their water bottle on the desk.

• No one was absent today.

• Each of the players received a medal.

• Both are good options for the project.

• Either of the books can be used for homework.

• Neither of the answers is correct.

• Some are ready for the presentation.

Indefinite Pronoun Exercises with Answers

Fill in the Blanks

Choose the correct indefinite pronoun from the brackets.

1. _________ is ringing the bell. (Someone / Many)

2. _________ was missing from the group photo. (Someone / Few)

3. _________ students participated in the competition. (Several / Nobody)

4. _________ knows the secret. (Nobody / Many)

5. Is _________ interested in joining the club? (anyone / neither)

6. _________ of the answers is correct. (Neither / Many)

7. _________ enjoyed the magic show. (Everybody / Few)

8. _________ is impossible if you work hard. (Nothing / Anything)

9. _________ of the players received certificates. (Each / Many)

10. _________ was left in the lunch box. (Nothing / Several)

Answers

1. Someone

2. Someone

3. Several

4. Nobody

5. anyone

6. Neither

7. Everybody

8. Nothing

9. Each

10. Nothing