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
- everything
- somebody / someone
- anybody / anyone
- nobody / no one
- everybody / everyone
1. What Do These Words Mean?
For Things
- something = one (unspecified) thing (often in positive sentences / offers)
- anything = one unspecified thing, usually in questions and negatives
- nothing = zero things
- everything = all things
For People
- somebody / someone = an unknown / unspecified person
- anybody / anyone = an unspecified person, usually in questions and negatives
- nobody / no one = zero people
- everybody / everyone = all people
Quick guide:
- something / somebody → usually positive; also offers/requests
- anything / anybody → usually questions and negatives
- nothing / nobody → zero things or people
- everything / everybody → all things or people
Indefinite pronouns take a singular verb.
| Pronoun | Singular verb |
|---|---|
| somebody / everyone | Somebody is at the door. / Everyone knows the rule. |
| nothing / everything | Nothing is wrong. / Everything looks ready. |
We often use they, them, and their to refer to one person when we do not know the person’s gender: “Somebody left their bag.” / “If anybody calls, tell them I’m out.” The verb is still singular: “Somebody is …”
Someone, anyone, and no one are slightly more common in writing, while somebody, anybody, and nobody are very common in conversation. The words in each pair have the same basic meaning. Write no one as two words.
The same system also exists for places: somewhere, anywhere, nowhere, everywhere. For example: Let’s go somewhere quiet. / I can’t find my keys anywhere.
2. Using “Something” and “Somebody”
We often use these words in positive sentences.
We also use them in offers and requests.
Structure: something and somebody
Things
- subject + verb + something
People
- subject + verb + somebody / someone
Examples: something and somebody
- “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?”
Meaning: something and somebody
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: negatives
Present
- subject + don’t/doesn’t + base verb + anything / anybody
Past
- subject + didn’t + base verb + anything / anybody
With other negative verbs
- subject + haven’t/can’t/won’t + 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: negatives
- “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.”
- “I haven’t done anything.”
- “I can’t see anybody.”
- “We won’t buy anything.”
Structure: questions
Present
- Do/Does + subject + base verb + anything / anybody?
Past
- Did + subject + base verb + anything / anybody?
Examples: questions
- “Do you want anything?”
- “Did she say anything?”
- “Does anybody know the answer?”
- “Did anyone call me?”
Other common uses of any-
Use any- after if and in offers or requests:
- “If you need anything, call me.”
- “Would you like anything else?”
Meaning: anything and anybody
We use these words because we do not have a specific thing or person in mind.
You may also see anything and anybody in positive sentences to mean that there is no restriction: “You can choose anything” means any choice is OK, and “Anybody can join” means every person is welcome.
4. Using “Nothing” and “Nobody”
We use these words to mean zero things or zero people.
Structure: nothing and nobody
Things
- subject + verb + nothing
People
- subject + verb + nobody / no one
Examples: nothing and nobody
- “I saw nothing.”
- “She said nothing.”
- “There is nothing in the box.”
- “Nobody called me.”
- “No one was home.”
- “Nobody knew the answer.”
After a verb, nothing and nobody can sound emphatic or formal: “I saw nothing.” In everyday English, people often say “I didn’t see anything.” Nobody is especially natural at the beginning of a sentence: “Nobody called.”
5. Using “Everything” and “Everybody”
Use every- words to talk about all things or all people. They take a singular verb.
Structure:
- everything + singular verb
- everybody / everyone + singular verb
Examples:
- “Everything looks ready.”
- “Everything is in the box.”
- “Everybody is here.”
- “Everyone knows the answer.”
6. Important Rule: Only One Negative
Do not use another negative word with nothing or nobody.
| Incorrect: two negatives | Correct with any- | Correct with no- |
|---|---|---|
| “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.” |
More contrasts:
- “Nobody answered the phone.” The word nobody already gives the sentence a negative meaning.
- “She didn’t invite anybody.” = “She invited nobody.” Use either pattern, not both together.
Some languages use two negative words for one negative idea. In standard English, choose one pattern: not + any- or a no- word.
Do not use a no- word after a negative verb, even when the words are separated:
- ✗ “There isn’t nobody here.” → ✓ “There isn’t anybody here.” / “Nobody is here.”
- ✗ “Nobody doesn’t know the answer.” → ✓ “Nobody knows the answer.”
7. Word Order with Adjectives, Else, and To-Infinitives
When we use an adjective, it comes after the pronoun.
Structure: adjective position
- something / anything / nothing + adjective
- somebody / anybody / nobody + adjective
Use else after the pronoun too: something else, anybody else, nobody else.
Use something / anything / nothing + to + base verb to say what can, should, or needs to happen:
- “I need something to eat.”
- “Is there anything to drink?”
- “There is nothing to worry about.”
Examples: adjective position
- “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.”
- “Would you like something else?”
8. Quick Summary and Common Mistakes
| Meaning | Things | People |
|---|---|---|
| some- | something | somebody / someone |
| any- | anything | anybody / anyone |
| no- | nothing | nobody / no one |
| every- | everything | everybody / everyone |
- ✗ “I don’t want something.” → ✓ “I don’t want anything.”
- ✗ “Everything are ready.” → ✓ “Everything is ready.”
- ✗ “Nobody know the answer.” → ✓ “Nobody knows the answer.”
Quick check
Try one question now
Check your answer when you are ready.
Was this lesson helpful?
Vocabulary in this lesson
Play a word to hear it, then mark it as known or save it to study.
Save words from this lesson
Save any of these 9 words and review them later.
Indefinite pronouns
A2Indefinite Pronouns
9 wordsLast updated August 23, 2026