Indefinite Pronouns in English
Grammar

Some-

Indefinite pronouns are words used to refer to people or things in a non-specific way.

someone, somebody = a non-specific person
Somebody needs to help her.
something = a non-specific object
Please give me something to write with.
somewhere = a non-specific place
My pen is somewhere in my desk but I can't find it.

Every-

Indefinite words with every- refer to all people, things, or places.

everyone, everybody = all the people
Everybody likes chocolate.
everything = all the objects
My teenage son eats everything.
everywhere = all the places
Reporters have to travel everywhere.

No-

The following indefinite pronouns are negative.

no one, nobody = no people
Nobody is home right now.
nothing = no objects
There is nothing in that bag.
nowhere = no places
There's nowhere to eat Mexican food in this town.

Any-

The following indefinite pronouns are used with questions and negative sentences.

anyone, anybody = a non-specific person (when used in a question) OR no person (when used in a negative sentence)
Can anyone help me?
Don't tell anyone the secret.
anything = a non-specific object (when used in a question) OR no object (when used in a negative sentence)
Do you want anything to eat?
I don't eat anything for breakfast.
anywhere = a non-specific place (when used in a question) OR no place (when used in a negative sentence)
Are you going anywhere on Saturday?
I'm not going anywhere on Saturday.

Questions

In questions, both some- and any- can be used, but using any- is more common.

Do you have something?
Do you have anything?

Double Negative

It is not considered grammatically correct to use a negative indefinite pronoun with a negative verb (although it is heard in some dialects). This is known as a double negative. You can use one of the negative indefinite pronouns (no one, nobody, nothing, nowhere) or a negative verb with any- (anyone, anybody, anything, anywhere).

I have nothing.
I don't have anything.
I don't have nothing. Not correct!

Exercise - Indefinite Pronouns

Select the indefinite pronoun. (In some cases, there is more than one possible correct answer.)

Find the Mistake

Instructions
Identify the error in the following sentences and write the corrected version.

example
He are a teacher. → He is a teacher.

Writing

Write a sentence with each of the indefinite words (someone, somebody, something, somewhere, everyone, everybody, everything, everywhere, no one, nobody, nothing, nowhere, anyone, anybody, anything, anywhere).

examples:
Someone needs to help the victim.
Can you give the children anything?
etc.

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