What are Indefinite Pronouns?

Indefinite pronouns are words that refer to nonspecific people or things. Some indefinite pronouns are singular, some are plural, and some can be both, depending on the context. The verb must agree in number with the indefinite pronoun.

Indefinite Pronouns and Verb Agreement

1. Singular indefinite pronouns  always take a singular verb.

• These are: one, everyone, someone, anyone, no one, everybody, somebody, anybody, nobody, each, every, either, neither 
• Sentences:
  • Correct: Everyone is excited about the trip. (NOT: Everyone are...)
  • Correct: Each of the students has a textbook.  (NOT: Each of the students have...) The word "each" means every individual one in a group and because it focuses on individual members rather than the group as a whole, it requires a singular verb.

2. Plural indefinite pronouns always take a plural verb

• These are: both, few, many, several
• Sentence:
• Correct: Many were absent from the meeting.
• Correct: Few know the answer.

​3. Indefinite pronouns that can be singular or plural:

• Examples: all, any, more, most, none, some
• Rule: Verb agreement depends on the noun they are referring to:
  • Singular noun → Singular verb: Some of the cake is missing.
  • Plural noun → Plural verb: Some of the students are participating.

Common Learner Errors:

1. Using a plural verb with singular indefinite pronouns:
   • Error: Everybody are happy to be here.
   • Correction: Everybody is happy to be here.
2. Misjudging the number of an indefinite pronoun:
   • Error: Each of the players have a jersey.
   • Correction: Each of the players has a jersey.
     (“Each” is singular even though it refers to multiple individuals.)
3. Forgetting the context with "all" or "some":
   • Error: All of the milk are spoiled.
   • Correction: All of the milk is spoiled.
     (“Milk” is uncountable, so the verb is singular.)
4. Treating "none" only as singular (though it can be plural depending on context):
   • Correct (singular): None of the information is relevant.
   • Correct (plural): None of the cookies are left.

Practice Exercises:

1. Choose the correct verb:
   a) Each of the students (is/are) responsible for their own work.
   b) Both of the dogs (barks/bark) loudly.
   c) Some of the water (is/are) leaking from the bottle.
   d) Nobody (was/were) at the door.
2. Correct the errors:
   a) Everybody are welcome to join.
   b) None of the participants is ready.
   c) Many of the equipment is broken.

Let me know if you'd like answers or more examples!