Various types English pronouns are used to express a wide variety of speech situations. As you know, the number of categories of these parts of speech is quite significant, and sometimes determining which form is best to use is quite problematic. Particularly difficult can be the use of indefinite pronouns in the English language, since there are many nuances, as well as negative pronouns, which also have a number of features. These include some any no, as well as their derivatives. All their characteristics require special attention and detailed study.
Main features of indefinite pronouns
Indefinite pronouns in English (indefinite pronouns) are called so for the reason that they do not carry any definite and precise information and are usually translated as “something, someone, someone...”. This category is based on two main structures: some any, as well as their derivatives. Before focusing on the rules for using some and any, we can show what all possible variants look like, derived from these words that are actively used in the language. The following table will show the possible options:
For some/any, the usage rule is quite clear, and it is this that determines what the difference will be: the use of some is typical for affirmative sentences, and any is usually used in interrogative sentences and phrases with negation. For example:
· He has some information, and he wants to share it with me – He has some information, and he wants to share it with me
· Do you have any information? – No, I don’t have any – Do you have any information? - There is no
This difference between some and any is key, however, as with any rule, there are some exceptions.
For example, it is sometimes acceptable to use some in interrogative sentences that carry the meaning of a polite sentence; similar situation with any would look somewhat impolite:
Would you like some tea? – Would you like some tea? (the one who asks the question expects a positive answer and does not mean “at least some tea”)
Examples of any in affirmative sentences are phrases from the Conditionals category, i.e. conditional mood, as well as situations where pronoun any has the translation “any”:
· She would set off with us if had any passion for adventures – She would go with us if she had any passion for adventure
· Give me please any of these donuts – Please give me any of these donuts
Derivatives of some any
As for the use of derivatives, everything here is quite typical. Somebody/someone and anybody/anyone are used to express animate objects, and something/anything - inanimate. At the same time, there is no difference between somebody and somebody (do not confuse these words with the specific pronoun everybody, which is translated as “everyone” or “everyone”), while the differences between somebody and nobody lie in the basic principles of some/any. All nouns used after these words are used only in the singular. The pronouns themselves can form the possessive case – somebody’s, anybody’s.
It is believed that both the word no and differences in using some, any and no are pretty obvious. However, it is still better to talk about no in the context of negative pronouns, since this word carries a negative connotation.
Features of negative pronouns
Negative pronouns are used to display negative values- “nobody, nothing...” As a rule, the basis of all these structures is no and its main derivatives: nobody/no one(for the animate) and nothing(for inanimate ones).
In addition, such words include: none (“none of”, typical for plural), neither (“none of”, typical for choosing between two objects), directly no, which has a basic translation of “none, no...” and differs from particles not because no is used in the meaning of adjectives: I have no money - I don’t have any money; She had no friends - She didn’t have any friends.
A very important nuance is the fact that two negatives within one English sentences it can not be. Accordingly, two versions of the same phrase may look like this:
She didn’t have any sweets or She had no sweets - She didn’t have any sweets
As can be seen from these two examples, no is written only when there is no other negative in the sentence. Thus, the pronouns some, any and no have a fairly close relationship, but in which cases the corresponding pronouns are used largely depends on the structure of the sentence.
Use in sayings
Negative and indefinite pronouns can be included in the construction set expressions and proverbs. These sayings are very popular in the language, and their use will emphasize the speaker’s knowledge of traditional lexical expressions. So, proverbs with indefinite pronouns and negative ones can be as follows:
– By doing nothing we learn to do ill – Idleness is the mother of all vices
– To put a spoke in somebody’s wheel – To put a spoke in the wheel
– To know everything is to know nothing – To know everything means to know nothing
– There is no rose without a thorn – There is no rose without thorns
– Nothing is impossible to a willing heart – Nothing is impossible for a loving heart
Thus, grammatical features These two categories of pronouns make it necessary to study them closely. Proper Use some any no will allow you to build sentences in English without errors and avoid awkward situations caused by the incorrect use of certain constructions. Indefinite and negative pronouns have quite a lot of features and nuances that are important to keep track of.
In order not to miss new useful materials,
Somebody has killed him. - Someone killed him.
Someone still loves you. - Someone still loves you.
She knows something about it. “She knows something about it.”
Would you like something to eat? – Would you like something to eat?
Why didn't you ask somebody to show you the way to the hospital? – Why didn’t you ask someone to show you how to get to the hospital?
Does anybody believe him? – Does anyone believe him?
I didn't tell anyone about our relations. – I didn’t tell anyone about our relationship.
If anyone agrees to sign this contract, I will resign. – If someone agrees to sign this contract, I will quit.
Is there anything to drink? - Is there anything to drink?
After such indefinite pronouns as somebody And anybody, we don't use of. If we want to convey the phrase “one of us,” we say one of us. If we want to convey the phrase “any of us,” we say any of us.
Yes, pronouns derived from any, can mean “any”, “any”, “anything” in affirmative sentences and questions. For example:
Anyone can run fast. – Anyone can run fast.
I would do anything for love (but I won’t do that). – I would do anything for love (but I won’t do that).
There are two more pronouns in this group that we haven't talked about. These are the words somewhere And anywhere, which are translated “somewhere”, “somewhere”, “somewhere”, “somewhere”, “somewhere”.
She is somewhere in Sydney. - She's somewhere in Sydney.
Is there a shop anywhere? – Is there a store somewhere?
Often after indefinite pronouns derived from some And any, you may discover else or, expressed. And one more thing: these pronouns can be used without problems in .
Tell me something curious. - Tell me something interesting.
Does anybody else find this woman attractive? “Does anyone else think this woman is attractive?”
The burglar broke into somebody's house. – A burglar broke into someone’s house.
I'll never be anybody's hero. “I will never be anyone’s hero.”
Pronouns derived from no: nobody, no one, nothing, nowhere
Like the indefinite pronouns of the previous section, these negative pronouns are formed by combining no with words body, one, thing, where. And they are translated accordingly: no one, nothing, nowhere. Being pronouns-nouns, these words are used in sentences only with a verb in the affirmative form, since, according to the rules, double negatives are not allowed in English. But this axiom is being questioned. You can read more about double negation and its admissibility in the article “”.
Nobody knows him. - Nobody knows him.
No one lives forever. - Nobody lives forever.
I have nothing to hide from you. “I have nothing to hide from you.”
This conversation is getting us nowhere. - This conversation will lead us nowhere (nowhere).
Note that these pronouns require a third person singular verb as a subject. And after these negative pronouns we do not put of. If we want to say “none of us”, we choose – none of us. And if we're talking about only about two persons, suitable option – neither of us.
None of us is perfect. - Nobody's perfect.
Neither of them knows the truth. “They both don’t know the truth.”
By the way, the pronoun none also works as a pronoun-noun. It can replace in an English sentence.
You have money and I have none. – You have money, but I don’t.
She bought a lot of toys and he bought none. “She bought a lot of toys, but he didn’t buy any.”
Pronoun all
But this indefinite pronoun in English can be both a noun pronoun and an adjective pronoun. And in a sentence its functions are as follows: subject, object, definition.
When we work with pronoun-adjective all, we use it to mean “everything” (countable nouns, plural) and to mean “all”, “everything”, “all” (uncountable nouns). If this pronoun has , or , then their placement is after all.
I remember all the things she said. “I remember everything she said.”
It can't rain all the time. – It can’t rain all the time.
If we are working with a singular countable noun and want to convey the meaning “all”, we use the pronoun instead all we usually use a combination the whole. By the way, if there are words morning, day, night, as well as other time symbols, we have the right to use all, And wholesale.
The whole city is going crazy. “The whole city is going crazy.”
The birds were singing all the morning (the whole morning). - The birds sang all morning.
When we work with a pronoun-noun all, we use it to mean “all”, “everything”:
They all deserve to die. “They all deserve to die.”
I think we are all doomed. “I think we're all doomed.”
You have all read this book. – You have all read this book.
We must all take responsibility. “We all have to be responsible.”
They have all been knighted. “They were all knighted.”
Who should do it? – Who should do this?
– We all should. - All of us.
She'll give invitations to them all. “She’ll give them all invitations.”
Look carefully at the examples above and pay attention to the placement of the pronoun all V different situations, namely:
- before the predicate verb;
- after the verb to be;
- after or ;
- if there are two auxiliary verbs, then after the first of them;
- before the auxiliary or modal verb in short answers;
- after pronouns in object.
all is the subject of the sentence and has the meaning “everything”, the predicate verb is in the plural:
All are equal. - Everyone is equal.
When an indefinite pronoun all is the subject of the sentence and has the meaning “everything”, the predicate verb is singular:
All is lost. - Everything is lost.
Read about other indefinite pronouns in English in the second article (). You will need them to pass the next test.
Test
Indefinite pronouns in English
In English, pronouns play a particularly important role. Their use requires the development of certain skills and abilities. In this article, we will learn how indefinite pronouns behave in English and familiarize ourselves with the rules for their use.
Exist different schools English language, and they use different classifications pronouns, so we will focus on those words whose uncertainty raises the least doubt.
Pronouns can be called 100 percent indefinite some And any in English, and, with a slight stretch, no, since this word and its derivatives simply deny the presence of an object or person.
Therefore, let us first dwell in detail on the first mentioned prepositions. Let's start with the word some, which in most cases is used in affirmative sentences to mean “a little.”
There is some coffee in the thermos. There is some coffee in the thermos.
There are some potatoes in the pale. There are some potatoes in the bucket.
The rule of usage in a statement does not work when we ask polite questions with in the words could would:
Would you like some fish and chips? Would you like some fish and chips?
Any has a meaning close to some, but is used in questions and in sentences with a negative context. Examples:
Are there any plums in the bowl? Are there any more plums in the bowl?
I cannot see any clouds in the sky. I don't see a cloud in the sky.
In affirmative sentences, the pronoun any can be used to mean - any.
You can use any computer in the room. You can use any computer in the room.
To understand how the pronouns some, any, no and their derivatives are used, it is necessary to provide a sufficient number of examples.
From some, three words are formed that speak of the uncertainty of objects - someone, somebody, something.
At the same time, someone means the same as somebody. It is no coincidence that the Oxford Dictionary puts an equal sign between them. Examples:
Someone (somebody) is knocking at the door. Someone is knocking on the door.
I saw someone crossing the field in the morning. I saw someone crossing the field this morning.
Example of use in an interrogative sentence:
Should they meet a brother or someone? Do they meet a brother or someone else?
The difference between someone(somebody) and anyone(anybody) is about the same as between the words from which they come, that is, the English pronouns some and any:
I see someone stealing along the wall. I see someone creeping along the wall.
I cannot see anyone at the wall. I don't see anyone near the wall.
An example of using anyone in an affirmative sentence, here this pronoun means “anyone”:
My father forbids anyone to use his car. My dad doesn't allow anyone to use his car.
The word nobody means no one and carries a negation in itself. It is translated in the same way, but is used mostly in written language.
Nobody saw yeti. No one has seen Bigfoot.
To indicate inanimate objects something, anything, nothing are used:
She has put something in the box. She put something in the box.
Have you got anything tasty? Do you have anything tasty?
Nothing is more important. Nothing is more important.
A table will help us better understand indefinite pronouns in English. We suggest that you first fill it with examples from the text, and then come up with or find other examples in search engines.
|
The pronoun Some and its derivatives |
Any and its derivatives |
No and its derivatives |
For better memorization Indefinite pronouns are useful to solve exercises, write short letters, and participate in chats. The sooner you start talking to native speakers, the better your conversational skills will become.
Friends, we have already studied many types of English pronouns. Everyone has long known that a pronoun is one of the main parts of speech that replaces a noun in a sentence and in speech.
Today we will discuss another type of English pronouns - indefinite pronouns. Indefinite pronouns in English are a very curious thing. After all, they all come from two short words — Some And Any, which seem similar, but are used differently.
Let's figure out what these words are, how and where they are used, what meaning they have in a sentence. Some And Any translated as “some, some, several, a little.” In a sentence they serve as a definition. They are translated virtually identically, but used differently in sentences. And here is the very use of these words.
Some used in affirmative sentences:
- Ihavesome goodfriends. — I have several good friends.
- Sandrahassome Frenchbooksathome. — Sandra has several French books at home.
Any used in negative and interrogative sentences. Sometimes it can be translated as “none” or omitted altogether in translation:
- Ihaven"tany booksofMathematics. — I don’t have any books on mathematics.
- Doyouhaveany lettersfromTom? — Do you have any letters from Tom?
Sometimes the word Some can be used in interrogative sentences if you offer something to your interlocutor:
- Would you like some coffee? - Would you like some coffee?
As you already noticed, Some And Any go well with both countable and uncountable nouns:
- Wehavesome milkandtwoeggs;sowecanmakeacake. — We have some milk and two eggs; we can bake a cake.
- Wehavesome pepper,butwedon"thaveany sugar;weshouldbuysome. — We have some pepper, but no sugar; need to buy some (sugar).
To consolidate your acquired knowledge, try translating the following sentences into English using the words Some And Any. Exercises of this type will train you in knowing indefinite pronouns:
- Do you have knives and forks?
- He has several German books Houses.
- Show him some photos, please.
- Does he have any English magazines at home?
- Do you have children?
- Jim has several colored pencils.
- My friend has several geographical maps.
Indefinite Pronoun Chart Made Easy!
All we need to know is that indefinite pronouns in English are formed from the words Some And Any. And together we will make a table of these indefinite pronouns!
Please note: we take words Some And thing and we get Something; or Any And body and we get Anybody. You probably recognize these indefinite pronouns. The use of such words in speech is familiar to everyone who studies English! Well, we've refreshed our memory, now let's get down to the table!
| Pronoun | Translation |
| Some | Some, some a few, (none) |
| Someone | Someone, someone, someone Someone, someone, none |
| Somebody | Someone, someone, someone Someone, someone, none |
| Something | Something, something, something Something, something, nothing |
| Somewhere | Somewhere, somewhere Somewhere, somewhere (nowhere) |
| Somehow | Somehow, somehow, somehow Somehow, somehow, no way |
This is the table we have. Small, but very necessary for using indefinite pronouns in speech.
The use of these pronouns in sentences and in speech corresponds to the use of words Some And Any. All on Some used in affirmative sentences; everything is on Any- in negative and interrogative. Eg:
- You should finish your report somehow, otherwise you can get a bad mark. — You have to finish your report somehow, otherwise you may get a bad grade.
- Doyouknowanyone whocouldhelpus? - Do you know someone who could help us?
- Ican"tstopthewater,please,dosomething ! “I can’t stop the water, please do something!”
- Isanybody in? - Is anyone home?
- Weneedsomeone whoknowsEnglish. — We need someone who knows English.
We hope, friends, you understand everything about indefinite pronouns. Now let's see how to learn them easily and quickly.
How to easily and quickly master indefinite pronouns?
Friends, if you are learning English, then you cannot do without indefinite pronouns. With them, your speech will be much more developed. How to learn them easily and quickly?
Most the best way- this is to compose sentences and perform exercises with indefinite pronouns. Do as much of this type of work as possible and you will very quickly master indefinite pronouns, and most importantly, get used to using them in speech.
We wish you good luck and speedy mastery of indefinite pronouns in English!
Indefinite Pronouns indicate unknown objects, signs, quantity.
| derivatives of indefinite pronouns | use | |||
| -thing |
-body |
-one |
||
| indefinite pronoun some some, some, several |
something[ˈsʌmθiŋ] something, anything | somebody[ˈsʌmbɒdi], someone[ˈsʌmwʌn] someone, anyone | 1. In affirmative sentences. 2. B incentive offers. 3. In special matters. |
|
| indefinite pronoun any[ˈeni] some, several, any |
anything[ˈeniθiŋ] something | anybody[ˈeniˌbɒdi], anyone[ˈeniwʌn] somebody | 1. In interrogative sentences. 2. In conditional sentences. |
|
| anything | anyone, anyone | 3. In affirmative sentences. | ||
| nothing | nobody | 4. B negative sentences(at negative form verb). | ||
| indefinite pronoun one any |
1. In sentences that correspond to Russian indefinite-personal sentences to indicate unknown person. 2. To avoid repetition of a previously mentioned noun. |
|||
Indefinite pronoun some
1. English pronoun some has no categories of gender, number and case. It is used as a definition before a noun or independently. It is most often not translated into Russian and in English it is often, but not always, used in affirmative sentences.
Examples: There are some letters on the shelf. – There are several letters on the shelf (affirmative sentence).
Pass me some bread, please. – Pass me the bread, please (incentive offer).
Who has got some colored pencils? – Who has colored pencils? (special question)
2. Pronoun some often used in questions for which the answer “yes” is expected. Some also used in questions when the request or suggestion contained in them prompts the listener to answer positively - “yes”.
Examples: Could I have some more coffee, please? – Yes, of course. – Can I have some more coffee, please? Yes please.
3. Pronoun some often used to create contrast.
Examples:Some museums are worth visiting, but others aren’t. Some museums are worth visiting, but others are not.
Indefinite pronoun any
1. English pronoun any has no categories of gender, number and case. It is used as a definition before a noun or independently. In English it is most often used in negative sentences, but not always.
Examples: There is not any chalk in this box. – There is (not) chalk in this box (negative sentence).
Have you got any writing paper? – Do you have any paper for notes? (interrogative sentence)
If you need any information, tell me. – If you need any information, tell me (conditional sentence)
I can come and see you any day next week. “I can come and see you any day next week.”
2. Pronoun any used after words with a negative meaning, for example without– without, if not, never- never, rarely- infrequently, rarely- rarely, hardly– barely, almost not, etc.
Examples: I found a taxi without any trouble. – I found a taxi without (any) problems.
Indefinite pronoun one
1. Pronoun one has the categories of case and number and acts as a definition in a sentence. The possessive case form is formed like a noun. The plural form is formed.
Examples:One must always be in time for classes. – You need to come to class on time. (the sentence corresponds to the Russian indefinite-personal sentence to denote an indefinite person)
My new house is much bigger than my old one. – My new house is much larger than the old one (to avoid repeating the previously mentioned noun).
Examples: Which picture do you prefer, this one or that one
? – Which picture do you prefer, this one or that one?
I like these shoes more than those. – I like these shoes better than those.
I like these shoes more than those white ones. – I like these shoes more than those white ones (before the pronoun ones worth adjective white).
4. Pronoun one can be used in questions Which one(s)..? and after each.
Examples:Which one is correct? - Which one is correct? (for example about the answer)
Each one did his part. “Everyone did what they were supposed to do.”
5. Pronoun one(s) used only instead of countable nouns. With uncountable nouns (glass, water, sand, etc.), the noun is either repeated or can often be omitted.
Examples: There is some brown sugar in the cupboard, but there isn’t any white ( sugar). – There is brown sugar in the cupboard, but no white (sugar).
Derivations from the pronouns some and any - something, anything, somebody, anybody, anyone, someone, etc.
1. Derivative indefinite pronouns are formed by adding to some And any -thing, -body, -one and do not have categories of gender and number. Difference between something/somebody And anything/anybody etc. similar to the difference between some And any.
2. Derivative indefinite pronouns something/somebody/someone are used most often in affirmative sentences, and anything/anybody/anyone used in negative sentences and questions.
Examples: It may be something you need, something you want or something you desire. – It could be something you need, something you want or something you dream about.
Somebody has written in my book. – Someone wrote in my book.
There isn't anybody watching the TV at the moment. - IN this moment no one watches TV.
Have you got anything to say? Do you have anything to say?
But note that very often in English something/somebody etc. are used in questions when we expect or want to receive the answer “yes” (when expressing proposals and requests).
Examples: Can I get you something to drink? – Can I offer you something to drink?
Would you like someone to help you? – Would you like someone to help you?
3. If derivatives from a pronoun some And any act as the subject, the verb is used singular.
Examples:Something is wrong with you. - Something is wrong with you.
Anything is possible! - Everything is possible!
4. Pronouns ending in –body or –one, For example, somebody/someone, anybody/anyone have a case category– general and possessive. The possessive case form is formed by analogy with a noun.
Examples: There was someone's bag in the hall. “Someone’s bag was hanging in the hallway.