The Indefinite English Pronouns
The Forms and Functions of Indefinite Pronouns in English
Jul 7, 2009
Pronouns are traditionally defined as "small words that take the place of nouns and noun phrases." In additional to the personal pronouns whose antecedents are previously identified proper and common nouns, the English pronoun system also includes a subcategory known as indefinite pronouns. Indefinite pronouns function similarly to personal pronouns but refer to unspecified persons, places, things, and ideas. Indefinite pronouns are most commonly used in impersonal constructions, or sentences that make general statements without a specified grammatical agent. Both native English-speaking and ESL students must learn the types and functions of indefinite pronouns to correctly form sentences in both spoken and written language.
Singular Indefinite -one Pronouns
The first group of indefinite pronouns in English are the singular indefinite -one pronouns. All the -one pronouns are singular in number. The singular indefinite English -one pronouns are:
- anyone
- everyone
- no one
- one
- someone
The indefinite -one pronouns can perform six grammatical functions: subject, predicate nominative, direct object, indirect object, prepositional complement, and possessive modifier. For example:
- Anyone can play guitar. (subject)
- The winner is everyone. (predicate nominative)
- You must tell no one. (direct object)
- Give someone a compliment. (indirect object)
- Our new supervisor bought breakfast for everyone. (prepositional complement)
- One must wash one's hands. (possessive modifier)
The singular indefinite -one pronouns are also referred to as impersonal pronouns.
Singular Indefinite -body Pronouns
The second group of indefinite pronouns in English are the singular indefinite -body pronouns. All the -body pronouns are also singular in number. The singular indefinite English -body pronouns are:
- anybody
- everybody
- nobody
- somebody
The indefinite -body pronouns can also perform six grammatical functions: subject, predicate nominative, direct object, indirect object, prepositional complement, and possessive modifier. For example:
- Somebody is in trouble. (subject)
- The culprit could be anybody. (predicate nominative)
- My dog has bitten nobody. (direct object)
- The boss bought everybody small gifts. (indirect object)
- He must have sold the couch to somebody. (prepositional complement)
- Somebody's car has been stolen. (possessive modifier)
The singular indefinite -body pronouns are also referred to as impersonal pronouns.
Singular Indefinite -thing Pronouns
The third group of indefinite pronouns in English are the singular indefinite -thing pronouns. All the -thing pronouns are again singular in number. The singular indefinite English -thing pronouns are:
- anything
- everything
- nothing
- something
The indefinite -thing pronouns can only perform five grammatical functions: subject, predicate nominative, direct object, indirect object, and prepositional complement. For example:
- Everything is beautiful. (subject)
- The problem has to be something. (predicate nominative)
- We will purchase nothing. (direct object)
- You must give something some consideration. (indirect object)
- I finished my essay early for nothing! (prepositional complement)
The -thing pronouns cannot typically function as possessive modifiers because possession with the apostrophe s or s apostrophe ('s or s') clitic in English is generally limited to people and other animate beings.
Other Singular Indefinite Pronouns
The fourth group of indefinite pronouns in English are the other singular indefinite pronouns that are also singular in number:
- another
- each
- either
- enough
- less
- little
- much
- neither
- other
- plenty
The other singular indefinite pronouns can perform up to six grammatical functions: subject, predicate nominative, direct object, indirect object, prepositional complement, and possessive modifier. For example:
- Little matters to him anymore. (subject)
- Enough is enough. (predicate nominative)
- The little boy ate another. (direct object)
- The committee gave neither any real consideration. (indirect object)
- To each his own. (prepositional complement)
- One's trash is another's treasure. (possessive modifier)
Note that only the indefinite pronouns with antecedents of people or other animate beings can function as possessive modifiers.
Plural Indefinite Pronouns
The fifth group of indefinite pronouns in English are the plural indefinite pronouns that are plural in number:
- both
- few
- fewer
- many
- others
- several
The indefinite plural pronouns can only perform five grammatical functions: subject, predicate nominative, direct object, indirect object, and prepositional complement. For example:
- Few willingly study grammar. (subject)
- The assigned books are both. (predicate nominative)
- The judges chose several. (direct object)
- Your supervisor just gave many a good talking to. (indirect object)
- A good person always thinks of others first. (prepositional complement)
Singular or Plural Indefinite Pronouns
The sixth group of indefinite pronouns in English are the indefinite pronouns that can be either singular or plural in number depending on context:
- all
- any
- more
- most
- none
- some
- such
The singular or plural indefinite pronouns can also only perform five grammatical functions: subject, predicate nominative, direct object, indirect object, and prepositional complement. For example:
- All is lost. (subject)
- The right solution is any. (predicate nominative)
- That customer has requested more. (direct object)
- The judges have decided to award none the prize. (indirect object)
- Our new employee only received help from some. (prepositional complement)
Other Indefinite Pronouns
The seventh group of indefinite pronouns in English are the pronouns that can be either personal or indefinite depending on context:
- you
- they
The other indefinite pronouns more frequently perform the grammatical function of subject but can perform other functions as well. For example:
- You should always wash your hands. (subject)
- They say you should never talk about politics or religion (subject, subject)
- You can never have enough socks. (subject)
When used as indefinite pronouns, you and they are also referred to as impersonal pronouns.
The seven types of indefinite pronouns in English are singular indefinite -one pronouns, singular indefinite -body pronouns, singular indefinite -thing pronouns, other singular indefinite pronouns, plural indefinite pronouns, and singular or plural indefinite pronouns. The indefinite pronouns can perform up to six grammatical functions: subject, predicate nominative, direct object, indirect object, prepositional complement, and possessive modifier. Both native speakers and ESL students must learn and understand the types and functions of indefinite pronouns to fully and correctly use pronouns in both spoken and written English.
Sources
Hopper, Paul J. A Short Course in Grammar. W.W. Norton & Company: New York, 1999.
Huddleston, Rodney. Introduction to the Grammar of English. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, 1984.
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