Example Of An Indefinite Pronoun | Clear Picks Fast

Indefinite pronouns are small words with a big job. They help you write smoothly when a name isn’t known, doesn’t matter, or would clutter the sentence. You’ll see them in essays, lab reports, emails, and short answers on tests.

The catch is that they can quietly break grammar when verb agreement or clarity slips. This guide shows how indefinite pronouns work, how to match them with the right verb, and how to fix the mistakes teachers mark the most.

What Makes A Pronoun Indefinite

A pronoun replaces a noun. A pronoun becomes indefinite when it refers to an unknown or not-named person or thing. You’re not pointing at “Maria” or “the red backpack.” You’re pointing at a general person, object, amount, or choice.

Many indefinite pronouns come from two common building blocks:

• Some- (someone, something, somewhere) often suggests an unspecified person or thing that exists.
• Any- (anyone, anything, anywhere) often suggests no limit or no specific choice.

There are also broader words like “each,” “several,” and “none.” They don’t carry “some-” or “any-,” yet they still point to a general quantity or group.

Examples Of Indefinite Pronouns By Group

One fast way to get these right is to sort them by how they usually behave in a sentence. Some are treated as singular, some as plural, and some depend on what comes after them.

Indefinite Pronoun	Usual Number	Typical Verb Pairing
everyone	Singular	everyone is
someone	Singular	someone needs
anybody	Singular	anybody knows
each	Singular	each has
neither	Singular	neither fits
few	Plural	few are
many	Plural	many were
several	Plural	several need
both	Plural	both do
all	Depends	all is / all are
some	Depends	some is / some are
none	Depends	none is / none are

That “Depends” column is where most writers stumble. “All,” “some,” and “none” take their number from the noun that follows in an “of” phrase.

• All of the water is cold. (water = singular mass noun)
• All of the bottles are empty. (bottles = plural count noun)
• Some of the advice is useful. (advice = singular mass noun)
• Some of the answers are wrong. (answers = plural)

Example Of An Indefinite Pronoun In Sentences

Here are clean sentence models that you can copy when you’re unsure. Each one uses an indefinite pronoun in a natural spot: as a subject, an object, or a subject complement.

Indefinite Pronouns As Subjects

When an indefinite pronoun is the subject, it controls the verb. This is where agreement matters most.

• Someone calls every afternoon.
• Everyone was ready by noon.
• Several were missing from the pile.
• None of the paint is dry yet.

Indefinite Pronouns As Objects

As objects, these words still need to make sense, but they don’t control the verb.

• I didn’t see anyone in the hallway.
• She brought something for the group.
• We asked several to stay after class.

Indefinite Pronouns After Linking Verbs

After a linking verb, an indefinite pronoun can rename the subject in a broad way.

• The caller was someone from the main office.
• The best option is one that fits your budget.

Singular Vs Plural: The Rules Students Use Most

If you only remember one trick, make it this: many indefinite pronouns that refer to “one person” or “one thing” act singular, even when they sound like a crowd.

Words like “everyone,” “anyone,” “someone,” “nobody,” and “each” take singular verbs in standard English. Teachers mark “Everyone are…” as an agreement error in most school writing.

Why “Everyone” Takes A Singular Verb

“Everyone” means “every single person.” It feels plural because it points to a group. Grammar treats it as singular because it emphasizes individuals one by one.

• Everyone is invited.
• Everybody wants a seat near the front.

Plural Indefinite Pronouns That Stay Plural

These nearly always take plural verbs: “few,” “many,” “several,” and “both.” They point to more than one by default.

• Many were late because of traffic.
• Few know the full story.
• Both are valid answers.

Pronouns That Depend On The Noun After “Of”

“All,” “some,” “most,” and “none” can be singular or plural. The noun after “of” tells you which way to go.

This is also a place where writers over-correct. They see “none” and force a singular verb every time. That doesn’t match how modern edited English works. Both patterns appear in reputable writing; choose the one that fits the noun and the tone of your sentence.

• None of the equipment is working. (equipment = mass noun)
• None of the students are finished. (students = plural)

Choosing Possessives: Their, His Or Her, Or A Rewrite

Indefinite pronouns create a second problem: possessives. You write “Everyone brought…” and then you need a possessive later: “Everyone brought ___ notes.”

In current academic and professional writing, singular “they/their” is widely used when the person is unknown or when you don’t want to lock the sentence into “he” or “she.” Many style guides accept it. If your teacher prefers a different pattern, you can rewrite the sentence to dodge the issue.

For a quick reference on agreement choices and rewrites, see Purdue OWL pronoun agreement.

Three Clean Options

• Use singular they: Everyone brought their notes.
• Use “his or her” in formal settings that expect it: Everyone brought his or her notes.
• Rewrite to a plural subject: All students brought their notes.

Quick Definitions That Keep You From Mixing Terms

Indefinite pronouns often get mixed up with two nearby ideas: indefinite articles and vague nouns. They aren’t the same.

• Indefinite pronoun: replaces a noun (someone, anything, each, several).
• Indefinite article: comes before a noun (a, an).
• Vague noun: a noun that lacks detail (thing, stuff). It isn’t a pronoun.

If you want a formal definition from a standard dictionary source, Merriam-Webster’s entry for indefinite pronoun is a solid reference.

When Indefinite Pronouns Help Your Writing

Used well, indefinite pronouns keep your sentences light. They also help you avoid repeating the same noun every line.

They’re useful in these situations:

• Unknown identity: Someone left a jacket on the chair.
• General rules: Everyone submits the form before Friday.
• Broad quantities: Most of the data is missing.
• Open choices: You can pick either.

That last point matters in instructions and school writing. When the reader doesn’t need a name, an indefinite pronoun keeps the focus on the action.

Common Mistakes And Quick Fixes

Most indefinite-pronoun errors fall into a few repeat patterns. Fixing them is less about memorizing lists and more about spotting the trigger.

Common Error	Why It Breaks	Better Fix
Everyone are ready.	“Everyone” acts singular.	Everyone is ready.
Each have a ticket.	“Each” acts singular.	Each has a ticket.
Some of the class is late.	“Class” here means people (plural idea).	Some of the class are late.
None of the water are clean.	“Water” is a mass noun.	None of the water is clean.
Someone left their phone, he will return.	Pronouns shift mid-sentence.	Someone left their phone and will return.
Anybody can hand in his paper.	Gendered possessive may not fit.	Anybody can hand in their paper.
All is finished (talking about tasks).	“All” depends on the implied noun.	All are finished / All tasks are finished.

Editing Checklist You Can Run In One Minute

This is the fast pass for catching errors before you hit submit.

1. Circle the subject. If it’s an indefinite pronoun, decide if it acts singular, plural, or depends on an “of” phrase.
2. Check the verb. Make the verb match the number you decided in step one.
3. Scan for “of the ___.” Let that noun control “all/some/most/none.”
4. Check possessives. If you wrote “everyone” or “someone,” pick “their,” use “his or her,” or rewrite to a plural subject.
5. Read once out loud. Your ear catches agreement slips that your eyes miss.

Two Short Models You Can Borrow

If you need a ready-made sentence for an assignment, these templates stay clean across most school styles:

• Rule statement: Everyone is expected to submit their work by the deadline.
• Evidence statement: Some of the evidence is unclear, but several points are consistent.

Final Practice: Spot The Example

Try this quick check: in each sentence, name the indefinite pronoun and the verb it controls. If they don’t match, revise.

• Everyone in the group is responsible for a section.
• Several of the pages were missing from the packet.
• All of the milk is in the fridge.

Once you can spot an example of an indefinite pronoun and pair it with its verb, you’ll stop losing points to tiny agreement errors. If you still get stuck, pick one sentence and rewrite it with a clear noun. That reset often makes the right verb choice obvious.

One last line to lock it in: an example of an indefinite pronoun is “each,” and it takes a singular verb in standard writing.