Grammar Unit II: Lesson 5

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Grammar Unit II Lesson 5

• Using Indefinite Pronouns
• Correctly

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Definition

• Indefinite pronoun a pronoun that does not refer
  to a specific person, place, or thing.

Each thinks about the story.
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Usage

• Indefinite pronouns can be either SINGULAR or
  PLURAL.

Why is this important?
If you use an indefinite pronoun as a subject,
then your verb must AGREE with it.
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Subject/verb agreement
Each thinks about the story.
Singular verb
Singular indefinite pronoun
SO, how can we determine which indefinite
pronouns are SINGULAR and WHICH are plural?
Unfortunately for most, you cant. You have to
memorize them. ? So here they are. . .
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SINGULAR INDEFINITE PRONOUNS
S A N E O N O V M Y E E R Y BODY S A N E O N O V M Y E E R Y ONE S A N E O N O V M Y E E R Y THING
Somebody Anybody Nobody everybody Someone Anyone No one everyone Something Anything Nothing Everything
One Neither Each Another Much Either
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Plural INDEFINITE PRONOUNS
Both Few Many Others Several
Create your own mnemonic device to help you
remember these five plural indefinite pronouns.
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INDEFINITE PRONOUNS that can be Either Singular
or plural
Some All Most Any None
SAMAN MNEMONIC these pronouns are singular or
plural depending on how they are modified by
prepositional phrases.
All of the students do their homework.
(plural) All of the class does his or her
homework. (singular)
How do we determine if these indefinite pronouns
are singular or plural? Use the two examples
above to help you.
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Guided Practice
Identify each indefinite pronoun as S or P. Then
select the appropriate verb.
1. Each (think, thinks) about the plot.
S
2. Many of the students (do, does) their
homework.
p
3. Most of the students (is, are) reliable.
P
4. Several (is, are) presenting their speeches.
P
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Pronoun/pronounagreement
Each of the students has his or her ideas about
homework.
Singular indefinite pronoun
Singular singular pronouns
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Guided Practice
Identify each indefinite pronoun as S or P. Then
select the appropriate pronoun.
1. Everyone studies (his or her, their) book.
S
2. Each has (their, his or her) point of view.
s
3. Several offer (his or her, their) advice.
P
4. All of the students give (his or her, their)
opinions, too.
P