1. Today’s Notes: Nov. 16, 2010 VII. Indefinite Pronouns
A pronoun that does not refer to a particular person, place, or thing.
1. ex. Someone, anyone, everyone, each, all, either, no one, nothing, both, few, many, several,
2. Most are singular; some are plural.
3. Some, like all, any, most, more, and some, can be either singular or plural (depends on the situation)
B. Match the verb you use with the pronoun (singular verb w/ singular pronoun; plural w/plural)

2. Indefinite Pronouns…maybe…
Pronoun Unit
8th grade English

3. Pop Quiz…sort of… What is a pronoun? What is it like?
What is a pronoun that refers to a person or thing?
What are the three cases of pronouns?
What should always come last in a pronoun list?
What do possessive pronouns take the place of?

4. Whew…
It sounds like everyone is ready…
Everyone…

5. Today…
Today in class we are going to talk about an elusive little pronoun…the indefinite pronoun.
Indefinite pronouns are general…they hate being specific.

6. Indefinite Pronouns
An indefinite pronoun is a pronoun that does not refer to a particular person, place, or thing.

7. Huh? Think of it this way…
I and you refer to specific people. You know EXACTLY who you are talking about.
Indefinite pronouns point to non-specific people- for example, someone, anyone, nobody, and anybody.
These are called indefinite pronouns!

8. Some Indefinite Pronouns
Singular
Another Everybody no one
Anybody Everyone nothing
Anyone Everything one
Anything much somebody
Each neither someone
Either nobody something
Plural
Both
Few
Many
Others
several
Most indefinite pronouns are either singular or plural.

9. Indefinite Subject Pronouns
Make sure your pronoun agrees in number to the verb if it is a subject pronoun!
Use a singular indefinite pronoun with a singular verb.
Everyone reads this part of the novel. (singular pronoun, singular verb)
Use a plural pronoun with a plural verb.
Several enjoy the long ride very much. (Plural pronoun, plural verb)

10. Indefinite Pronouns
Pronouns beginning with any (anyone, anybody, etc…), no (no one, nobody, nothing), every (everyone, everything, etc…), and some (someone, something, etc…) are ALWAYS singular and use a singular verb.
Everyone is laughing.
Nothing is happening!

11. Some more Indefinite Pronouns
Some indefinite pronouns are always plural-both, several, few, many, others.
Each of these needs a plural verb.
The Martin girls are twins. Both are here. (Plural)
I like possums. Several are living in the house next door.

12. Crazy Indefinites
All, any, most, none, some, enough, and half can be singular or plural, depending on the phrase that follows.
Most of the story takes place in England. (singular)
Most of the characters are orange. (plural)

13. Pronouns with…pronouns?
Sometimes possessive pronouns have indefinite pronouns as antecedents.
The two pronouns must agree in number.
Several are presenting their interpretations (plural)
Each of the students has his or her ideas
about its meaning.
(singular)

14. Let’s try it out…
Choose the indefinite pronoun that agrees with the verb or possessive pronoun.
(Neither, All) of Robert Frost’s poems are enjoyed by their readers.
(One, Many) of the poems have New England as their setting.
(Much, Many) of their narrators are people living close to nature.
(Much, Others) of the poetry has rhythm, and its lines rhyme.
(Both, Each) of the poems has its own
rhyme.

15. Let’s try it out…(con.)
6. Everyone studies (his or her, their) Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
7. Many of the characters (talks, talk) peculiarly.
8. Most of the animals (is, are) animals.
9. Everything in Wonderland (confuses, confuse) Alice.
10. The Cheshire cat disappears; nothing (is, are) left but its smile.

16. Remember…
An indefinite pronoun is a pronoun that does not specifically name its antecedent.
It is general.

17. So… How does this fit into what we have learned…
The condensed soup version…

18. What you need to know… A pronoun is like a stunt double.
A pronoun takes the place of a noun.
Antecedent = word being replaced.
Personal pronouns = people or things
Nominative case = pronoun in the subject.
Objective case = pronoun used as the object of something.

19. What you need to know… Pronoun I/me is always last.
You is overused…be careful.
Possessive pronouns show ownership.
A possessive pronoun takes the place of a possessive noun.
Don’t confuse its with it’s.
An indefinite pronoun is a pronoun that does not refer to a particular person, place, or thing.