1. Indefinite Pronoun Agreement
Grammar 3.4
Indefinite Pronoun Agreement

2. Main Ideas
Indefinite Pronouns are used like most pronouns, as subjects or objects. However, they do not usually have traditional antecedents.
Agreement problems abound, as there are some indefinite pronouns that are always singular, some that are always plural, and some that can be either depending on sentence construction.

3. Indefinite Pronouns
An indefinite pronoun does not refer to a specific person, place, thing, or idea. Indefinite pronouns often do not have antecedents.
Nothing lasts forever.
Anyone can make a time capsule.
Some indefinite pronouns are always singular, some are always plural, and some can be either singular or plural. Any pronoun containing one, thing, or body is singular.
Singular Plural Singular or Plural
another neither both all
anybody nobody few any
anyone no one many most
anything nothing several none
each one some
either somebody
everybody someone
everyone something
everything

4. Indefinite Pronouns (cont.)
There are lots of mix-ups when it comes to pronoun/antecedent agreement, especially if the antecedent of an indefinite pronoun is another pronoun.
Singular Indefinite Pronouns: use a singular personal pronoun to refer to a singular indefinite person.
Everyone took his or her camera to the lake.
Everyone could be either masculine or feminine, so you should use his or her (and not just his or not just her).
You will not say, “Everyone took their camera to the lake,” because everyone is singular and their is plural.
One of the girls dropped her camera in the lake.
We know both one and her are feminine because the words pertain to girls.
Her -- not their -- must be used after one. Even though girls is plural, her’s antecedent is one.

5. Indefinite Pronouns (cont.)
1. Everyone in class brought ____ book.
A. their
B. his or her
C. our
→ the answer is B. Everyone in singular.
2. Does anybody know where ____ next class is?
C. your
→ the answer is B. Anybody is singular.
3. Neither of the Riveras is happy with _____ classes’ behavior?
B. his
C. my
→ the answer is B. Neither is singular.

6. Indefinite Pronouns (cont.)
Plural Indefinite Pronouns: use a plural personal pronoun to refer to a plural indefinite pronoun.
Many contributed their favorite CDs or video games.
Their refers to many. Many is plural.
Therefore, the sentence must use their and not his or hers or its.
Several reported their sightings of the monster.
Several is plural. Their refers to several.
Therefore, the sentence must use their and not his or her or its.

7. Indefinite Pronouns (cont.)
1. Many could not believe ____ own eyes!
A. their
B. his or her
C. our
→ the answer is A. Many is plural; therefore, the answer must be their.
2. ____ realized that their electronics may become completely outdated.
A. Another
B. Few
C. No one
→ the answer is B. Their is plural; therefore, its antecedent must be plural, as well. Few is plural. Another and no one are singular.
3. Nobody ever remembers to pack ____ clothes.
C. your
→ the answer is B. Nobody is singular; therefore, the answer must also be singular. Since nobody is in the 3rd person, it can’t be your.

8. Indefinite Pronouns (cont.)
Singular or Plural Indefinite Pronouns: some indefinite pronouns can be singular or plural. The phrase that follows the indefinite pronoun will often tell you whether the pronoun is singular or plural.
Most of the monster story has its origin in fantasy.
Its is a singular personal pronoun.
Story is singular in this case, and its and most are referring to it.
Most will agree with its; therefore, in this case, most is singular.
Most of the monster stories have their origins in fantasy.
Their is a plural person pronoun.
Most will agree with their; therefore, in this case, most is plural.

9. Indefinite Pronouns (cont.)
1. All of us have ____ backpacks.
A. my
B. its
C. our
→ The answer is C. All can be either singular or plural. Us is plural and in the 1st person. Therefore, it must be our. All, in this sentence, is plural.
2. Most of our history is assured of its survival, thanks to the capsule. QUESTION: Is most in this sentence plural or singular?
A. plural
B. singular
C. either
→ The answer is B. Most can be either singular or plural; however, history is singular as is its. Therefore, the answer must be B.
3. Someone showed us _____ telescope.
A. their
B. his or her
C. everyone
→ The answer is B. Someone is always singular, so the answer must be singular.

10. Indefinite Pronouns (cont.)
GUM → Exercise A., pg. 69: For every sentence, write either “no corrections needed” or “corrections needed.” If corrections are needed, add the correct pronoun. If necessary, change any verb that must agree with the changed pronoun.
(1) Everybody likes a picnic. (2) But, when somebody planned the picnic I just came back from, they made a few mistakes. (3) First, everybody brought their own dish to share, but everybody brought watermelon. (4) There was watermelon everywhere. (5) Luckily, many of the picnickers had also packed his or her cars with soft drinks and snacks. (6) One of the members of one family had brought enough hamburger for her family, but not for everyone. (7) So after a hearty meal of soft drinks, chips, and watermelon, many of the picnickers decided he or she would take a hike through the woods. (8) Nobody had put any insect repellent in their backpacks, however, and the mosquitoes had the best picnic of all on the hikers’ skin. (9) When the hikers returned, they couldn’t find any of the game equipment, so they had nothing to play with. (10) Most of the people headed back to his or her car at that point. (11) Anyone who plans next year’s picnic should make their preparations a little more carefully. 6.