Pronouns #2
[short version1]
Remember that a pronoun is word that replaces a noun.
Earlier you learned about subject pronouns. These can be used as the
subject of a sentence. The subject is the one doing the action.
I
you
she/he/it
we
you
they
She is working for her GED® credential.
We studied together.
You also studied object pronouns. These can be used as the object in
a sentence. The object is the one receiving the action.
me
you
her/him/it
us
you
them
She looked at him.
I called them.
All those pronouns refer to some definite person, place, or thing.
Here you will learn about indefinite pronouns.
1
This version of my handout leaves out many details. For a more complete story, see the longer version.
D. Stark 2/2010 rev. 3/2016
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Indefinite pronouns
Some indefinite pronouns are always singular:
Singular
anyone
someone
everyone
no one
anybody
somebody
everybody
nobody
anything
something
everything
nothing
one
each
another
either
little
neither
much
Everyone is welcome.
Everybody is bringing his or her own food. [NOT THEIR]
Everything is ready.
Nobody is leaving yet.
One of the pieces is missing.
Another of the suspects was set free.
Either of the books is fine.
Little is known about him.
D. Stark 2/2010 rev. 3/2016
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WATCH OUT!
POSSESSIVE INDEFINITE PRONOUNS DO USE APOSTROPHES!
It was nobody's fault.
It is anyone's guess.
One's honor is important.
Some indefinite pronouns are always plural:
Plural
few
both
many
several
Few of the students are ready.
Both of the girls are happy.
Many of the dogs are friendly.
Several of the books are expensive.
D. Stark 2/2010 rev. 3/2016
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Some indefinite pronouns can be singular or plural:
Singular or Plural
some
any
none
all
more
most
Usually you cross out prepositional phrases since they can trick
you about singular and plural.
One of the boys is sick.
[The subject is “one”, which is singular, not “boys”,
which is plural.]
But just for the pronouns in the box above, it's OK to look inside
the prepositional phrase to decide on singular or plural.
Some of the cake is gone.
Some of the brownies are gone.
Is any of the cake left?
Are any of the brownies left?
None of the cake is left.
None of the brownies are left.
All of the cake is gone.
All of the brownies are gone.
More of the cake was eaten by the girls.
More of the brownies were eaten by the boys.
Most of the cake was eaten.
Most of the brownies were eaten.
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Tricky bits:
1) If there is a noun after a pronoun, pretend the noun isn't there in
order to decide which pronoun to use.
They gave better deals to (we/us) members.
They gave better deals to (we/us).
They gave better deals to us.
They gave better deals to us members.
(We/Us) Americans are proud.
(We/Us) are proud.
We are proud.
We Americans are proud.
2) With comparisons using "as" or "than”, complete the hidden part of
the sentence in order to decide which pronoun to use.
Bob is as tall as (she/her).
Bob is as tall as she is.
Bob is as tall as she.
Bob walks faster than (she/her).
Bob walks faster than she walks.
Bob walks faster than she.
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3) If you use a pronoun after a linking verb, it should be an object
pronoun.
RIGHT: Who is calling? It is I.
WRONG: Who is calling? It's me.
RIGHT: Who said that? It was she.
WRONG: Who said that? It was her.
4) If a pronoun stands for nouns connected by and, use a plural
pronoun.
Tom and Mary Anne brought their books to class.
If a pronoun stands for nouns connected by or, nor, either… or,
neither… nor, or not only… but also, find the noun closest to the
verb. (Usually that is the last noun.) If that noun is singular, use a
singular pronoun. If that noun is plural, use a plural pronoun.
Either the cookies or the cake left its crumbs on the table.
Either the cake or the cookies left their crumbs on the table.
Not only the students but also the teacher needs her work.
Not only the teacher but also the students need their work.
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