Transcript Indefinite pronoun

Grammar Unit II:
Lesson 5
Using Indefinite Pronouns
Correctly
Definition
Indefinite pronoun: a pronoun that
does not refer to a specific person,
place, or thing.
Each thinks about the story.
Usage
Indefinite pronouns can be either
SINGULAR or PLURAL.
Why is this important?
If you use an indefinite pronoun as a
subject, then your verb must AGREE
with it.
Subject/verb agreement
Each thinks about the story.
Singular
indefinite
pronoun
Singular
verb
SO, how can we determine which indefinite
pronouns are SINGULAR and WHICH are
plural?
Unfortunately for most, you can’t. You
have to memorize them.  So here they
are. . .
SINGULAR INDEFINITE PRONOUNS
S A N E S A N
O N O V O N O
M Y
E M Y
E
R E
Y
BODY
ONE
Somebody
Someone
Anybody
Anyone
Nobody
No one
everybody
everyone
E
V
E
R
Y
S A N E
O N O V
M Y
E
E
R
Y
THING
Something
Anything
Nothing
Everything
One
Neither
Each
Another
Much
Either
Plural INDEFINITE PRONOUNS
Both
Few
Many
Others
Several
Create your own mnemonic device to help you
remember these five plural indefinite pronouns.
INDEFINITE PRONOUNS that can be
Either Singular or plural
Some
SAMAN – MNEMONIC – these pronouns are
All
singular or plural depending on how they are modified
by prepositional phrases.
Most
Any
All of the students do their homework. (plural)
None
All of the class does his or her homework.
(singular)
How do we determine if these indefinite pronouns are singular
or plural? Use the two examples above to help you.
Guided Practice
Identify each indefinite pronoun as S or P. Then select
the appropriate verb.
1. Each (think, thinks) about the plot.
S
2. Many of the students (do, does) their homework.
p
3. Most of the students (is, are) reliable.
P
4. Several (is, are) presenting their speeches.
P
Pronoun/pronoun
agreement
Each of the students has his or her ideas about homework.
Singular
indefinite
pronoun
Singular
singular
pronouns
Guided Practice
Identify each indefinite pronoun as S or P. Then select
the appropriate pronoun.
1. Everyone studies (his or her, their) book.
S
2. Each has (their, his or her) point of view.
s
3. Several offer (his or her, their) advice.
P
4. All of the students give (his or her, their) opinions, too.
P