Indefinite Pronouns
Learn how words like someone, everything and several refer to people, things or amounts without naming them specifically.
Someone, everyone, nothing, several
An indefinite pronoun refers to something without specifying it exactly.
An indefinite pronoun refers to a person, thing or amount without identifying exactly who or what it is. The identity is left unspecified, either because it is unknown or because it does not matter for the sentence.
In the sentence Someone left their umbrella here., the word someone refers to an unnamed person.
English has a large group of indefinite pronouns, ranging from words built from some-, any-, every- and no-, to quantity words such as few, several and none.
Before you begin
Indefinite pronouns often pair with other pronouns.
Sentences with indefinite pronouns frequently use they, their or them to refer back to them. Reviewing personal pronouns first can make this connection clearer.
The central idea
An indefinite pronoun leaves identity unspecified.
Compare a sentence naming a specific person with one that does not.
01
Specific
Names exactly who is meant.
Maria called this morning.
02
Indefinite
Does not name who is meant.
Someone called this morning.
The useful question is: Does the sentence identify exactly who or what is meant?
everyone → a group of people, not named individually
nothing → an absence of things, not specified
several → an amount, without naming the specific items
If the sentence does not point to one specific, named person or thing, an indefinite pronoun is likely being used.
Compound indefinite pronouns
Many indefinite pronouns are built from a small set of word parts.
These pronouns combine some-, any-, every- or no- with -one, -body or -thing.
Referring to people
someone / somebody
anyone / anybody
everyone / everybody
no one / nobody
Everyone enjoyed the presentation.
Referring to things
something
anything
everything
nothing
Something smells wonderful in the kitchen.
The prefix affects the meaning
some- → a person or thing exists, unspecified
any- → whether one exists is uncertain, or it does not matter which one
every- → all people or things, taken individually
no- → none at all
Indefinite pronouns showing quantity
Other indefinite pronouns describe an amount.
Common quantity pronouns
all
some
any
none
few
several
many
both
each
either
neither
most
Several arrived early for the meeting.
These words can also come before a noun
Several guests arrived early. → before a noun
Several arrived early. → standing alone as a pronoun
The same word functions as a pronoun only when it stands completely in place of a noun.
Singular and plural agreement
Indefinite pronouns can be singular, plural, or either, depending on the word.
01
Usually Singular
Takes a singular verb.
Everyone is ready.
Nothing was left behind.
02
Usually Plural
Takes a plural verb.
Several are missing.
Both were correct.
Some indefinite pronouns can be either, depending on meaning
Some of the cake is gone. (an amount of one thing)
Some of the guests are here. (a number of separate people)
Words such as some, none, most and all take their number from the noun they refer to, which is often shown in a following of phrase.
Referring back with singular they
Everyone should bring their own lunch.
Even though everyone takes a singular verb, it is commonly followed by they, their or them, since the specific gender of each person is not known.
A useful decision guide
Check the word itself, then check the verb.
01
Does the sentence avoid naming a specific person or thing?
An indefinite pronoun is likely being used.
02
Does it end in -one, -body or -thing?
These compound pronouns are usually treated as singular.
03
Is it a quantity word, such as several or both?
Check whether it usually takes a singular or plural verb.
04
Is it followed by an “of” phrase?
Match the verb to the noun inside that phrase, not to the pronoun alone.
Common mistakes
Do not assume every indefinite pronoun takes the same verb form.
Treating a singular indefinite pronoun as plural.
Not: Everyone are welcome.
Correct: Everyone is welcome.
Everyone, like other -one, -body and -thing pronouns, takes a singular verb.
Ignoring the noun inside an “of” phrase.
Not: Some of the milk are gone.
Correct: Some of the milk is gone.
The verb should match milk, not the word some on its own.
Confusing similar-looking pronouns and quantity words.
each → treated as singular
both → treated as plural
Two quantity words with related meanings can still take different verb forms, so each one needs to be checked individually.
Check your understanding
Singular or plural verb?
Choose the correct verb form for each sentence.
Nobody __________ the answer. (know / knows)
✅ Exactly! Nobody is treated as singular.
❎ Not quite. Compound pronouns ending in -body take a singular verb.
Pronouns ending in -one, -body or -thing are singular.
Both of the applicants __________ well qualified. (was / were)
✅ Exactly! Both is treated as plural.
❎ Not quite. Both refers to two people, so it takes a plural verb.
Some of the bread __________ still fresh. (is / are)
✅ Exactly! Bread is uncountable and singular, so the verb matches it.
❎ Not quite. Look at the noun inside the of phrase to decide the verb.
Several of the windows __________ broken. (was / were)
✅ Exactly! Several is treated as plural.
❎ Not quite. Several refers to more than one window, so it takes a plural verb.
Choose the best explanation
Select the sentence that explains the indefinite pronoun correctly.
Why does “Everyone should bring their own lunch” use their rather than his or her?
✅ Exactly! Their commonly refers back to indefinite pronouns like everyone.
❎ Not quite. Think about why gender isn’t specified in this sentence.
Why does “Some of the cake is gone” use a singular verb?
✅ Exactly! The verb matches the noun inside the of phrase.
❎ Not quite. Look at what noun follows some of the.
Which sentence correctly matches the indefinite pronoun with its verb?
✅ Exactly! Nothing is treated as singular, matching was.
❎ Not quite. Check each pronoun against whether it usually takes a singular or plural verb.
Try it another way
Complete the sentence with the correct indefinite pronoun.
Type the pronoun that fits each sentence.
✅ Exactly! An unnamed person is being referred to.
❎ Not quite. Think of the pronoun used for an unnamed person who did something.
✅ Exactly! Nothing shows that no items remained.
❎ Not quite. Think of the pronoun that shows an absence of things.
✅ Exactly! Everyone refers to the whole group, individually.
❎ Not quite. Think of the pronoun that means all the people, taken individually.
Edit the sentence
Rewrite each sentence with the correct verb form.
Use the indefinite pronoun to decide between a singular and plural verb.
Everyone are welcome to join. (correct the verb)
✅ Exactly! Everyone takes a singular verb.
❎ Not quite. Change the verb to match a singular subject.
Several of the boxes was damaged. (correct the verb)
✅ Exactly! Several refers to more than one box, so it takes a plural verb.
❎ Not quite. Change the verb to match a plural subject.
Some of the water were spilled. (correct the verb)
✅ Exactly! Water is uncountable and singular, so the verb should match it.
❎ Not quite. Look at the noun inside the of phrase to choose the verb.
Quick review
The identity is left open; the number still needs to be checked.
Indefinite pronouns refer to people, things or amounts without specifying exactly who or what they are.
Compound pronouns ending in -one, -body or -thing, such as everyone and nothing, are treated as singular.
Quantity pronouns such as several and both are usually treated as plural; others, such as each, are singular.
Words like some, none, most and all take their number from the noun in a following of phrase.
Indefinite pronouns are often referred to using they, their or them, since gender is not specified.
Remember
Ask which word is doing the counting.
Some indefinite pronouns carry their own fixed number; others take their number from a noun that follows them in an of phrase. Identifying which case applies is the key to choosing the correct verb.