Indefinite pronouns are used to talk about people or things in general. They don’t refer to any particular person. Examples are: all, none, any, some, one, someone, no one, nobody, somebody etc.
Study the sentences given below.
- One does not know what to do in such situations.
- One must be content with one’s lot.
- One cannot choose one’s parents.
- One must not boast of one’s achievements.
- One must put one’s best foot forward.
- One must not lose hope no matter what happens.
- None of these stories are worth reading.
- They say he has lost his marbles. (To lose one’s marbles is to go crazy.)
- None of them are here right now.
- All were drowned.
- Some are born great; some achieve greatness; some have greatness thrust upon them.
- Somebody has stolen my phone.
- Nobody was there to save the child from drowning.
- Few escaped unhurt.
- We didn’t see any of them again.
Most of these words can also be used as adjectives. Note that when they are used as adjectives, they are followed by a noun.
- Few people escaped unhurt.
- Some people are born great.
The pronoun he or she is used to refer to the indefinite pronouns anybody, everybody, anyone, everyone and each.
- Every one of the boys has submitted his work.
When the sex is not mentioned, the third person plural pronoun ‘they’ is used to refer to anybody, everybody etc.
- Everybody likes to have their way.