The indefinite pronouns are:

 

somebody	someone	something
anybody	anyone	anything
nobody	no one	nothing
everybody	everyone	everything

 

Indefinite pronouns are used to refer to people or things without saying exactly who o

what they are. Pronouns ending in -body or -one are used for people, and pronouns ending in -thing are for or things:

• Somebody stole my car.
• Everybody enjoyed the show.
• I opened the door but there was no one at home.
• It was a very clear day. We could see everything.
• Does anyone have something that could help me?

 

We use a singular verb after an indefinite pronoun:

• Everybody likes Michael.
• Everything was ready for the concert.

 

When we refer back to an indefinite pronoun we normally use a plural pronoun:

• Everybody enjoyed the concert. They stood up and clapped.
• I will tell somebody that dinner is ready. They have been waiting a long time.

 

We can add -‘s to an indefinite pronoun to make a possessive.

• They were staying in somebody’s house.
• Is this anybody’s coat?

 

We use indefinite pronouns with no- as the subject in negative clauses (not pronouns with any.)

• Nobody came (NOT Anybody didn’t come)

 

We do not use another negative in a clause with nobody, no one or nothing:

• Nobody came.
• Nothing happened.

 

Else is usedafter indefinite pronouns to refer to people or things in addition to the ones we already mentioned.

• All the family came, but no one else.
• If John cannot go, we will ask somebody else.