Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns talk about a thing or a person when we do not know exactly who or what it is, or when it is not important.

In this lesson, you will learn how to use:

• something
• anything
• nothing
• somebody / someone
• anybody / anyone
• nobody / no one

1. What Do These Words Mean?

For Things

• something = one (unspecified) thing (often in positive sentences / offers)
• anything = one thing in questions/negatives; also “it doesn’t matter which” in some positive sentences
• nothing = zero things

For People

• somebody / someone = an unknown / unspecified person
• anybody / anyone = any person (in questions/negatives) or “it doesn’t matter who”
• nobody / no one = zero people

Quick guide:

• something / somebody → usually positive; also offers/requests
• anything / anybody → usually questions/negatives; also positive = “it doesn’t matter which”

2. Using “Something” and “Somebody”

We often use these words in positive sentences.
We also use them in offers and requests.

Structure

Things

• subject + verb + something

People

• subject + verb + somebody / someone

Examples

• “I want something to eat.”
• “She found something interesting.”
• “There is something in my bag.”
• “Somebody is at the door.”
• “I know someone in London.”
• “Someone called you earlier.”

Offers and Requests

• “Would you like something to drink?”
• “Can somebody help me?”

Why?

We know there is a thing or a person, but we do not know exactly which one.

3. Using “Anything” and “Anybody”

We often use these words in negative sentences and questions.

Structure

Present

• subject + don’t/doesn’t + base verb + anything / anybody

Past

• subject + didn’t + base verb + anything / anybody

With be / there

• negative: There isn’t anything in the box.
• question: Is there anything in the box?
• negative (people): There isn’t anybody here. / Nobody is here. (same meaning)

Examples

• “I don’t want anything.”
• “She didn’t see anything.”
• “We don’t need anything.”
• “I don’t know anybody here.”
• “She didn’t call anyone.”
• “We didn’t see anybody.”

Questions

Structure

Present

• Do/Does + subject + base verb + anything / anybody?

Past

• Did + subject + base verb + anything / anybody?

Examples

• “Do you want anything?”
• “Did she say anything?”
• “Does anybody know the answer?”
• “Did anyone call me?”

Why?

We use these words because we do not have a specific thing or person in mind.

4. Using “Nothing” and “Nobody”

We use these words to mean zero things or zero people.

Structure

Things

• subject + verb + nothing

People

• subject + verb + nobody / no one

Examples

• “I saw nothing.”
• “She said nothing.”
• “There is nothing in the box.”
• “Nobody called me.”
• “No one was home.”
• “Nobody knew the answer.”

5. Important Rule: Only One Negative

Do not use another negative word with nothing or nobody

Examples

❌ “I didn’t see nothing.”
✅ “I didn’t see anything.”
✅ “I saw nothing.”

❌ “I don’t know nobody.”
✅ “I don’t know anybody.”
✅ “I know nobody.”

6. Special Use of “Anything” and “Anybody”

Sometimes we use these words in positive sentences to mean “it does not matter which one.”

Compare: I want something to eat (I want food; I don’t say which food) vs I can eat anything (no restriction; any food is OK).

Examples

• “You can choose anything.”
• “I can eat anything.”
• “Anybody can join the class.”
• “Anyone can use this computer.”

7. Word Order with Adjectives

When we use an adjective, it comes after the pronoun.

Structure

• something / anything / nothing + adjective
• somebody / anybody / nobody + adjective

Examples

• “I want something nice.”
• “She didn’t see anything interesting.”
• “There is nothing wrong.”
• “I met somebody famous.”
• “We didn’t see anybody new.”
• “Nobody important was there.”

8. Easy Way to Remember

Positive Sentences

• something
• somebody / someone

Questions and Negatives

• anything
• anybody / anyone

Negative Meaning

• nothing
• nobody / no one

Use

• something / somebody for positive ideas
• anything / anybody in most questions and negatives
• nothing / nobody to mean zero things or zero people