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 anybody anything each other either everybody everyone everything much neither 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.

Many are happy to share their folktales. (plural) 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.

Few know (his, their) craft as well as Daedalus. 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.

Although many may try, no one (escape, escapes) the king’s maze. 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.

Both (plans, plan) an escape across the sea. 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.

Which one (lands, land) safely in Sicily? 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).