Transcript Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite Pronouns
I can correctly use
indefinite pronouns &
their verbs in my
speaking and writing.
An indefinite pronoun:
Does
not refer to a
particular person, place,
thing, or idea
It can be used alone or with
nouns, like possessive
nouns are used.
Examples:
Has
any student read this
Native American folktale?
Have any read “The Voice
of the River”?
Always Singular
another
everybody
anybody
everyone
anything
everything
each
much
other
neither
either
nobody
Always Singular
no
one
nothing
one
somebody
someone
something
Always Plural
both
few
many
others
several
Change their number
all
any
most
none
some
Why does singular or plural
matter?
When you are using a
present tense verb, you
have to know whether to
make it
singular (use an –s) or
plural (do not use –s).
How do you decide?
Look
at the prepositional
phrase after the indefinite
pronoun.
If the object of the preposition
is singular, use a singular verb.
If the object of the preposition
is plural, use a plural verb.
Examples of changing
Some
of the people are
familiar with this folktale.
(plural)
Most of this tale takes
place in Africa. (singular)
Most of the characters are
animals. (plural)
Possessive Pronouns WITH
Indefinites
Possessive
pronouns often
have indefinite pronouns as
their antecedents. The two
must agree in number.
Examples
Many
are happy to share
their folktales. (plural)
Each must be willing to
wait his or her turn.
(singular)
Try it! Choose the correct indefinite
pronoun.
(Everyone,
Many) likes to read
an exciting myth.
(One, Others) from Greece is
about a father and a son.
(Anyone, Few) were able to
guess the myth’s ending.
Try it! Choose the correct indefinite
pronoun.
(All,
Anybody) enjoy the myth
of Daedalus and Icarus.
(Both, One) of the mythical
characters live on the island of
Crete.
Daedalus has artistic talents:
(none, nobody) denies that.
Try it! Choose the correct indefinite
pronoun.
(Few,
Somebody) match
Daedalus’s skill in design.
(Some, Each) of these
students model their work on
his art.
(Each, Both) of the characters
is interesting.
Try it! Choose the correct form the verb or possessive
pronoun so that it matches its antecedent.
Most
of the people (praise,
praises) Daedalus’s ideas for
the huge palace.
Few know (his, their) craft as
well as Daedalus.
No one (is, are) more pleased
than King Minos.
Try it! Choose the correct form the verb or possessive
pronoun so that it matches its antecedent.
Although
many may try, no
one (escape, escapes) the
king’s maze.
Everything (changes, change)
when Daedalus tells the
secret.
At last someone finds
(his or her, their) way out.
Try it! Choose the correct form the verb or possessive
pronoun so that it matches its antecedent.
Some
of the readers (knows,
know) the rest of the story;
the king forbids Daedalus to
leave.
Something (take, takes) shape
in Daedalus’s skilled hands wax wings for himself and
Icarus.
Try it! Choose the correct form the verb or possessive
pronoun so that it matches its antecedent.
Both
(plans, plan) an escape
across the sea.
Each puts on (his, their) pair
of waxy wings.
At first everything (goes, go)
well for the pair.
Several (see, sees) them flying
in the sky.
Try it! Choose the correct form the verb or possessive
pronoun so that it matches its antecedent.
One
(flies, fly) too close to the
sun; the wax melts, and he
plunges to his death.
Which one (lands, land) safely
in Sicily?
When someone tries to do the
impossible, disaster can strike
(him or her, them).