Indefinite Pronouns

Learn how to use the indefinite pronouns in English.

Special Lesson Activities for This Grammar Point

Infinitive Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns refer to unspecific items that act like a noun.

What - ( ? / -- ) anything ( ? / + ) something ( -- ) nothing

(?) Do you want anything?
(?) Do you want something?
(+) I want something to eat.
(--) I don’t want anything to drink.
(--) I have nothing to drink.

Where - ( ? / - ) anywhere ( ? / + ) somewhere ( -- ) nowhere

(?) Did you go anywhere?
(?) Did you go somewhere?
(+) I want to go somewhere.
(--) I don’t want to go anywhere.
(--) We went nowhere.

Who - ( ? / - ) anyone / ( ? / + ) someone / ( -- ) no one


(?) Do you know anyone?
(?) Do you know someone?
(+) I know someone like that.
(--) I don’t know anyone here.
(--) I know no one here.

Who - ( ? / - ) anybody / ( ? / + ) somebody / ( -- ) nobody


(?) Do you know anybody?
(?) Do you know somebody?
(+) I know somebody like that.
(--) I don’t know anybody here.
(--) I know nobody here.

Note: The words anytime, sometime, and sometimes (for when) and anyhow and somehow (for how) are used like adverbs, not like pronouns.

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