Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns refer to non-specific people, things, or amounts -- words like everyone, nobody, each, and something that do not point to a particular person or object.

What You'll Learn

In this lesson, you will learn:

• How indefinite pronouns affect subject-verb agreement (why we say "everyone is" and not "everyone are")
• The rule that each, every, no one, nobody, everyone, everybody, someone, somebody, anyone, and anybody always take a singular verb
• How to handle tricky constructions where the indefinite pronoun is separated from the verb by other words
• How to choose the correct verb form in PSLE-level grammar cloze and MCQ questions involving indefinite pronouns

When to Use

1. Talking about all people in a group: "Everyone in the class has submitted the assignment." (not "have")
2. Referring to no person at all: "Nobody knows the answer to that riddle." (not "know")
3. Singling out individual members: "Each of the students is responsible for his or her own project." (not "are")
4. Talking about an unspecified person: "Someone has left a bag on the MRT train." (not "have")
5. Emphasising that every individual counts: "Every student deserves a fair chance to participate in the competition."

How to Form

Indefinite Pronouns and Their Verb Forms

You already know the common indefinite pronouns from earlier levels. At the mastery level, the focus is on getting the verb agreement right, especially in longer, more complex sentences.

"Each of" and "Every" Constructions

These constructions often trip students up because the noun that follows looks plural, but the verb must still be singular.

Words That Do NOT Follow This Rule

Some indefinite pronouns can take either a singular or plural verb depending on the noun they refer to. These are not the focus of this lesson, but be aware of them.

Note: For all, some, none, and most, look at the noun that follows "of" to decide whether the verb is singular or plural. This is covered more fully in the Subject-Verb Agreement topics.

Key Rules

1. Singular indefinite pronouns always take singular verbs: Everyone, everybody, someone, somebody, anyone, anybody, no one, nobody, everything, something, anything, and nothing are always treated as singular, no matter what. "Everyone has arrived." (never "have")

2. "Each" is always singular: Whether used alone or in the construction "each of + plural noun," the verb must be singular. "Each of the contestants was nervous." The word "contestants" does not change the verb.

3. "Every" always pairs with a singular noun and verb: "Every student understands the instructions." You cannot say "every students" or "every understand."

4. Ignore words between the subject and the verb: When an indefinite pronoun is separated from the verb by a prepositional phrase, find the true subject and match the verb to it. "Nobody in any of the three classes was late." (The subject is "nobody," not "classes.")

5. "No one" is two words and always singular: "No one believes the rumour." Do not confuse it with "none," which can be singular or plural depending on context.

6. Compound subjects with "and" take a plural verb: When two indefinite pronouns are joined by "and," they form a compound subject and take a plural verb. "Something and someone are missing." (Two separate things are missing.) Do not be misled by the fact that each pronoun is singular on its own -- once joined by "and," the subject is plural.

Common Mistakes

Clue Words

Indefinite pronouns that always signal a singular verb

everyone, everybody, someone, somebody, anyone, anybody, no one, nobody, everything, something, anything, nothing

Determiners that always signal a singular noun and verb

each, every, each of, every one of

Phrases that separate the subject from the verb (watch out for these)

of the students, of the children, in the class, among the participants, of the books, in the group

Tip: When you see an indefinite pronoun followed by "of the [plural noun]," cross out the prepositional phrase in your mind. The verb must still match the indefinite pronoun, not the plural noun. "Each of the students is responsible" -- the verb matches "each," not "students."

Practice Tips

1. The crossing-out strategy: In any sentence with an indefinite pronoun, mentally cross out all prepositional phrases between the subject and the verb. This reveals the true subject-verb pair. "Nobody (in any of the three classrooms) was late."

2. The substitution test: Replace the indefinite pronoun with "he" or "she." If the sentence sounds correct with "he/she," the verb is right. "Everyone has finished" becomes "He has finished" -- correct. "Everyone have finished" becomes "He have finished" -- clearly wrong.

3. The PSLE cloze strategy: In grammar cloze passages, when you see a blank after an indefinite pronoun, always try the singular verb form first. The vast majority of indefinite pronoun questions in the PSLE test singular agreement.

4. Daily spotting exercise: While reading the newspaper or a novel, highlight sentences containing indefinite pronouns. Check whether the verb is singular, and notice how even professional writers consistently use singular verbs with words like everyone, nobody, and each.

Quick Reference

Singular Indefinite Pronouns -- Verb Agreement

Quick Decision Guide