Questions tagged [indefinite-pronouns]
The indefinite-pronouns tag has no usage guidance.
32
questions
0
votes
2
answers
59
views
How should I refer to a person without identifying them? Can I use 'one'? [closed]
If I wish to refer to an individual person but without describing that person or drawing attention to the characteristics of that person or without identifying that person - how should I do it ?
The ...
- 25k
1
vote
2
answers
89
views
What is it called when indefinite pronouns are used as determiner?
AFAIK it is correct English grammar to say something along the lines of
Familiarize yourself with everything Apple.
What is this use of "everything" called? Is it just a short colloquial ...
- 111
0
votes
1
answer
34
views
Can we use the indefinite pronoun “someone” as a possessive pronoun “someone’s”? (not only as a possessive determiner)
We can use personal pronouns in the possessive case:
The book is mine. / Mine is missing.
The shirt is yours. / Yours is missing.
Can we use the indefinite pronoun someone like this?
The book is ...
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
13
views
Relative clause - situational instances [duplicate]
I was taught “which” can be used to refer to a situation or event in the preceding clause, as well as referring directly to the person or thing immediately in front of “which”. But how do you tell the ...
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
273
views
What type of pronouns are "other" and "another"? [closed]
When used as pronouns, are "other" and "another" classified as indefinite pronouns?
- 149
0
votes
3
answers
307
views
Is 'each other' used correctly when talking about sets of more than two people?
I have seen a statement:
We have a Christian duty to serve each other.
Is this statement correct?
Because 'each other' is used for two persons and 'one another' for more than two persons.
1
vote
0
answers
217
views
Pronoun "something" in negative sentences [duplicate]
I haven't found any information about a grammar rule that describes the possibility of somebody/something in negative sentences. My example is:
"Something is not right."
Please give me a reference to ...
3
votes
3
answers
2k
views
something the matter (strange word order: indefinite pronoun + noun) [duplicate]
ldoceonline.com:
1. There was nothing the matter with it when I lent it to him.
2. She had something the matter with her back.
oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com:
3. There's something the ...
- 514
0
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Should an antecedent of "everyone" take "their" or "his" or "our" as its corresponding possessive pronoun? [duplicate]
I am still confused about how to use the word everyone. I have this sentence on a test:
Everyone wants to do their part.
Everyone wants to do his part.
Everyone wants to do our part.
...
- 1
-1
votes
1
answer
84
views
Doesn't and Their [duplicate]
'Everyone who doesn't cook their food'
Is it correct?
If it's correct then can you explain why do we use doesn't but the possessive pronoun is Their?
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What possessive is used when "everybody" is the antecedent? [duplicate]
Is this sentence right?
Everybody is wasting his time.
Is his or its the possessive of everybody?
Most people use his but in my opinion it should be its:
Everybody is wasting its time.
I ...
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
989
views
What does "without one" mean? [duplicate]
I would like to pose the following question:
does the expression "without one X"
mean unambiguously "without any X",
mean unambiguously "without a(n) X" or
can have both meanings and thus is an odd ...
0
votes
0
answers
58
views
can "one' be substituted by "they" in a sentence? [duplicate]
I'm wondering if this sentence makes sense. If more examples could be offered, that would be appreciated. Thank you.
As long as one has a pastor certificate and gifts and can analyze the Bible, it ...
- 43
2
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What is the possessive form of “neither”?
I’m working on a worksheet and it’s telling me to make up a sentence using the possessive form of the indefinite pronoun neither. It says to use apostrophes on all these pronouns to make them ...
- 31
1
vote
1
answer
240
views
Style of grammar in which one does not refer directly to people?
There is first person, second person and third person grammar, but what is the term for the type of grammar used when one should refrain from directly referring from specific people (you, them, me, I, ...
- 575
0
votes
1
answer
186
views
Is there a technical name, grammatically, for the use of "it" in a non-specific way?
A year or more ago, someone on this website used a word which I cannot now recall. He or she used the word to describe how the word it is often used in a non-specific way and with no clear referent.
...
- 19.2k
0
votes
1
answer
79
views
Is 'you' acceptable here, or should it be 'he'? [closed]
Jonas found a job as a newspaper boy, when you could find a boy selling newspapers on every corner.
Is 'you' here acceptable or does it need to be changed to 'he'? I see it as a matter of everyone ...
- 509
0
votes
1
answer
235
views
Use of 'which' versus 'that'
The examples are as follows.
The idea that has drawn a significant interest is very hard to design.
The idea, which has drawn a significant interest, is very hard to design.
The idea that has drawn a ...
- 105
0
votes
2
answers
6k
views
"This one is" OR "This is"
I have seen people using "This one is Daddy's" with the word "one" before a form of the verb be. I am confused about which is more accurate, to use:
This is Daddy's.
or
This one is Daddy's.
...
1
vote
2
answers
180
views
Can the pronoun "one" precede the thing it is referring to in a sentence?
I give an example so you understand right away what I'm asking. Does the following sentence sound right:
Users are parts of not only the one being discussed right now, but the already-mentioned two ...
- 203
0
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Why are indefinite singular third person pronouns treated as plurals? [duplicate]
It's always bugged me.
My research behind this question was rather shallow, so I apologize if it's a duplicates.
Thanks!
Edit, example:
Say you don't know who you are talking to on Reddit, you simply ...
- 119
-2
votes
1
answer
176
views
Pronoun Agreement [duplicate]
Lately, I've been trying to understand the use of pronoun agreement in depth. While in the process I came across this website.
According to the Author:
Professional writers might revise the ...
- 11
9
votes
1
answer
37k
views
From one to another or From one to the other?
Is there a difference if I say "the recipe varies from one cook to the other" or "the recipe varies from one cook to another"?
- 99
1
vote
1
answer
38k
views
What's the difference between "someone" and "somebody"? [duplicate]
What is the difference between "someone is waiting for me" and "somebody is waiting for me?" Please make it clear for me.
- 21
2
votes
2
answers
805
views
Plural indefinite pronouns?
Can some indefinite pronouns be plural? One commenter on Mr K's Grammar World says they cannot. He also says the following examples contain quantifiers, and not indefinite pronouns.
Many have ...
- 117
4
votes
1
answer
8k
views
One vs someone, can be used interchangeably?
I've been searching about the ability to use "one" and "someone" interchangeably but found almost nothing. So what's the difference between them and can they be used interchangeably, for example, in ...
- 873
-1
votes
1
answer
473
views
Comma before indefinite pronoun
While I would surround a noun or pronoun with commas, should I do the same for indefinite pronouns? For example:
Have a good weekend, all.
I'm sorry, everybody, I can't do that.
Thanks.
3
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Difference between "an" and "one"
Forgive me if I miss something very obvious; English is not my native language.
I am currently taking an online (sort of) Math class that aims to teach creating/writing unambiguous Mathematical ...
- 141
0
votes
2
answers
825
views
Antecedents of indefinite pronouns
Consider the sentence, "Most of the apples are fresh." Is it incorrect to say that apples is the antecedent of the indefinite pronoun most?
- 111
3
votes
1
answer
502
views
Combination of similar pronouns (indefinite)
Are there any significant differences in meaning or usage between "everyone" and "everybody", or "anybody" and "anyone"?
As far as I know, there are some grammatical points involving
"everyone" and "...
- 133
4
votes
2
answers
28k
views
How to form the possessive case of indefinite pronouns? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Should I use “everyone's”, “everyones'” or “everyones”?
I was writing a sentence in Google Docs that contained the following ...
- 639
32
votes
4
answers
16k
views
"None" as plural indefinite pronoun
In my grammar book (English Grammar, HarperCollins Publishers), I read that none is occasionally treated as plural, but it is usually regarded as singular. Can you give me an example of sentence where ...
- 58.5k