Indefinite Pronouns
Someone, anything, nobody, everywhere — the full system. Learn the rules, then practise.
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The system
Indefinite pronouns combine some / any / no / every with -one / -body / -thing / -where.
| People | Things | Places | |
|---|---|---|---|
| some- | someone, somebody | something | somewhere |
| any- | anyone, anybody | anything | anywhere |
| no- | no one, nobody | nothing | nowhere |
| every- | everyone, everybody | everything | everywhere |
some- vs any-
- some- in positive statements: Someone called you.
- any- in negatives and questions: I didn't see anyone. Is anyone there?
- some- in offers and requests: Would you like something to eat?
- any- = "it doesn't matter which": Anyone can do it. Sit anywhere.
No double negative
English uses only one negative word. After don't / doesn't / won't, use any-:
✅ I don't know anything. ❌ I don't know nothing.
With nobody / nothing / nowhere, the verb stays positive: ✅ Nobody came.
Verb agreement — singular
everyone, everybody, someone, nobody take a singular verb:
✅ Everyone is here.
✅ Nobody knows.
✅ Everybody has a ticket.
The adjective goes after
An adjective comes after the pronoun: something nice, someone special, nothing new. Add else for "other": someone else, somewhere else.
Common mistakes
| ❌ | ✅ |
|---|---|
| I don't know nobody. | I don't know anybody. |
| Everyone are happy. | Everyone is happy. |
| I want interesting something. | I want something interesting. |
| Nobody didn't come. | Nobody came. |
Frequently Asked Questions
When do you use 'some-' and when 'any-'?
Use 'some-' words (someone, something, somewhere) in positive statements. Use 'any-' words (anyone, anything, anywhere) in negatives and questions. There are two key exceptions: use 'some-' in offers and requests ('Would you like something?'), and use 'any-' to mean 'it doesn't matter which' ('Anyone can do it').
Why can't you say 'I don't know nothing'?
Standard English uses only one negative word in a clause. After a negative verb like 'don't', use an 'any-' word: 'I don't know anything'. With 'nobody', 'nothing', or 'nowhere', the verb itself stays positive: 'Nobody came' (not 'Nobody didn't come').
Do indefinite pronouns take a singular or plural verb?
They take a singular verb: 'Everyone is here', 'Nobody knows', 'Everybody has a ticket'. This is true even when the meaning feels plural, as in 'Everyone in the team is working hard'.
Where does the adjective go with an indefinite pronoun?
The adjective comes after the indefinite pronoun, not before: 'something interesting', 'someone special', 'nothing new', 'somewhere quiet'. Add 'else' for 'other' or 'different': 'someone else', 'nothing else', 'somewhere else'.