- I gave this same schedule to everyone.
- That is a very big job!
- This is my fi rst project for the company.
Indefi nite Pronouns
Indefi nite pronouns are just that—unclear. They replace nouns without specifying
which ones they replace. In other words, they do not take the place of particular
nouns.
Singular indefi nite pronouns: another, anybody, anyone, anything, each, either,
everybody, everyone, everything, little, much, neither, nobody, no one, nothing, one,
other, somebody, someone, something
Plural indefi nite pronouns: both, few, many, others, several
Singular or plural indefi nite pronouns: all, any, more, most, none, some
The confusion surrounding indefi nite pronouns has to do with deciding their
number and gender. Singular indefi nite pronouns take singular verbs or singular
personal pronouns. For example:
Incorrect: Each of the members have one vote.Correct: Each of the members has one vote.Because the subject each is singular, has is correct.
Incorrect: One of the girls gave up their seat.Correct: One of the girls gave up her seat.Because her refers to one, it is singular.
As you would expect, plural indefi nite pronouns take plural verbs or plural per-
sonal pronouns:
Correct: A few of the teenagers were voicing their disapproval.Because the subject few is plural, so are the verbs were and their.
CHAPTER 3 Verbs, Prepositions, and Pronouns^71