What are Indefinite Pronouns?

Indefinite pronouns do not point to a specific person, thing, or place. They are general.

They are very useful when you don’t know exactly who or what you are talking about, or when it’s not important to be specific.

• For people, we use -one ou -body (par exemple, someone, anyone).
• For things, we use -thing (par exemple, something, anything).
• For places, we use -where (par exemple, somewhere, anywhere).

When Do We Use 'Some-' Words?

We use indefinite pronouns with some- (comme someone, something, somewhere) mainly in positive sentences.

• Utilisation someone ou somebody for an unknown person.
• Utilisation something for an unknown thing.
• Utilisation somewhere for an unknown place.

We also use some- words in questions when we expect a 'yes' answer, or when we are making an offer or a request.

When Do We Use 'Any-' Words?

We use indefinite pronouns with any- (comme anyone, anything, anywhere) in questions and negative sentences.

• Utilisation anyone ou anybody in questions or negative sentences about people.
• Utilisation anything in questions or negative sentences about things.
• Utilisation anywhere in questions or negative sentences about places.

Sometimes, any- words can also be used in positive sentences to mean 'it doesn't matter who/what/where'.

When Do We Use 'No-' Words?

Indefinite pronouns with no- (comme no one, nobody, nothing, nowhere) mean 'zero' or 'not any'.

It is important to use a positive verb with no- words. This is because the no- word itself makes the sentence negative.

• No one et nobody mean 'not a single person'.
• Nothing means 'not a single thing'.
• Nowhere means 'not a single place'.

When Do We Use 'Every-' Words?

Indefinite pronouns with every- (comme everyone, everybody, everything, everywhere) mean 'all' or 'all people/things/places'.

• Everyone et everybody mean 'all people'.
• Everything means 'all things'.
• Everywhere means 'all places'.

Remember that even though every- words refer to many people or things, they always take a singular verb.

Exemples

• I heard something strange outside.
• Is there anyone home?
• Nobody came to the party.
• Everything is ready for the trip.
• Would you like something to drink?
• I can't find my keys anywhere.
• Everyone needs a break sometimes.
• There's somebody at the door.

Entraînement

Erreurs courantes chez les hispanophones

Spanish speakers sometimes make mistakes with indefinite pronouns, especially with negative sentences.

• Double Negatives: In Spanish, you can say 'no tengo nada' (I don't have nothing). But in English, you cannot use two negative words together. You must say I don't have anything ou I have nothing. You cannot say I don't have nothing.
• Verb Agreement with 'Every-' words: Remember that everyone, everybody, et everything always take a singular verb. For example, it's Everyone is happy, et non Everyone are happy.
• Using 'some-' in questions: Only use some- words in questions when you expect a 'yes' answer or are making an offer/request. For general questions, use any- words. For example, Do you have anything to say? (general question) vs. Would you like something to eat? (offer).

Questions fréquemment posées

What is the difference between 'someone' and 'anyone'?

Nous utilisons someone in positive sentences and in questions where we expect a 'yes' answer or are making an offer. We use anyone in questions and negative sentences.

Can I use 'nobody' and 'not' in the same sentence?

No, you cannot. Nobody already makes the sentence negative. For example, say Nobody came, et non Nobody didn't come.

Do 'everyone' and 'everything' take a singular or plural verb?

They always take a singular verb. For example, Everyone is here et Everything looks good.

How can understanding indefinite pronouns help me in the A2 Key exam?

Knowing how to correctly use indefinite pronouns will help you understand questions and texts, especially in Reading and Listening parts, and express yourself clearly in Writing and Speaking tasks, avoiding common grammatical errors.