Spoonful #5: INDEFINITE PRONOUNS

​In the song Bohemian Rhapsody, Freddie Mercury croons about a desire to find "somebody to love." Because SOMEBODY is one of the INDEFINITE PRONOUNS, this spoonful is dedicated to Freddie's memory!

INDEFINITE PRONOUNS are members of the pronoun family and can also act as SUBJECTS. But determining which are SINGULAR and which are PLURAL can stump the most seasoned grammarian. To help clear the confusion, here's a handy-dandy list:
 
ALWAYS SINGULAR
each, one, either, neither, another, little, much, anyone, anything, anybody, someone, something, somebody, everyone, everything, everybody, nothing, no one, nobody 

Words starting with EVERY refer to multiple people or things, but are always matched with singular verbs. Here are two examples: "Everyone is invited" and "Everything is packed up." 

ALWAYS PLURAL
few, many, both, others, several

SINGULAR OR PLURAL (depending on usage) 
all, any, enough, more, most, some, who, half, none

In my next post, I'll provide examples from each grouping. Stay tuned!

Sincerely,
Laura Fineberg Cooper

www.laurafcooper.com
​@spoonfulgrammar

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