Grammar Unit II: Lesson 5 Using Indefinite Pronouns Correctly

Each thinks about the story. Definition Indefinite pronoun: a pronoun that does not refer to a specific person, place, or thing. Each thinks about the story.

Usage – All Pronouns Must agree in Number Indefinite pronouns can be either SINGULAR or PLURAL. Why is this important? If you use an indefinite pronoun as a subject, then your verb must AGREE with it. Also other pronouns that use it as an ANTECEDENT.

Subject/verb agreement Each thinks about his/her homework. Singular verb Singular indefinite pronoun SO, how can we determine which indefinite pronouns are SINGULAR and WHICH are plural? Unfortunately for most, you can’t. You have to memorize them.  So here they are. . .

SINGULAR INDEFINITE PRONOUNS S A N E O N O V M Y E E R Y ONE BODY THING Someone Anyone No one everyone Somebody Anybody Nobody everybody Something Anything Nothing Everything One Neither Each Another Much Either

SINGULAR INDEFINITE PRONOUN ANTECEDENTS ALL PRONOUNS IN THE SENTENCES MUST AGREE IN NUMBER. EXAMPLE: WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES USES PRONOUNS CORRECTLY? EACH OF THE SISTERS GAVE THEIR MOTHER A GIFT. OR EACH OF THE SISTERS GAVE HER MOTHER A GIFT.

SINGULAR INDEFINITE PRONOUN ANTECEDENTS EACH (OF THE SISTERS) GAVE HER MOTHER A GIFT.

Pronoun/pronoun agreement Each (of the students) has his or her ideas about homework. Singular indefinite pronoun Singular singular pronouns

Plural INDEFINITE PRONOUNS Many Few Both Others Several Create your own mnemonic device to help you remember these five plural indefinite pronouns. OR try: Mothers Feed Babies On Saturday

Antecedent – Plural Indefinite Pronouns ALL PRONOUNS IN THE SENTENCES MUST AGREE IN NUMBER. WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES USES PRONOUNS CORRECTLY? ____ Few from the class studied his or her notes before the test. Or ____ Few from the class studied their notes before the test.

Antecedents – Plural Indefinite Pronouns ____ Few (from the class) studied their notes before the test.

INDEFINITE PRONOUNS that can be Either Singular or plural Some All Most Any None SAMAN – MNEMONIC – these pronouns are singular or plural depending on how they are modified by prepositional phrases. It’s all about the context clues, including the PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE! All (of the students) do their homework. (plural) All (of the class) does his or her homework. (singular) How do we determine if these indefinite pronouns are singular or plural? Use the two examples above to help you.

SAMAN words are like stinky fish. If you find one in a sentence, you must look around to find out whether it is being used as a singular or plural pronoun! Some (of my favorite things) are brown paper packages tied up with string. Some (of this book) is hilarious. PLURAL SINGULAR

Guided Practice Identify each indefinite pronoun as S or P. Then select the appropriate verb. 1. Each (think, thinks) about the plot. S 2. Many of the students (do, does) their homework. p 3. Most of the students (is, are) reliable. P 4. Several (is, are) presenting their speeches. P

Guided Practice Identify each indefinite pronoun as S or P. Then select the appropriate pronoun. 1. Everyone studies (his or her, their) book. S 2. Each has (their, his or her) point of view. s 3. Several offer (his or her, their) advice. P 4. All of the students give (his or her, their) opinions, too. P