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Indefinite Pronouns
Just for fun….try this….
Pronouns are words that replace nouns or noun phrases
The word or words the pronoun replaces is called the antecedent of the pronoun
Pronouns must agree with their antecedents – singular antecedents are replaced with singular pronouns, and plural antecedents are replaced with plural pronouns
Pronoun review
You don’t know the antecedent?
But what if……
Say you come home and find a broken vase. You have no idea how it got broken, or who broke it. Your parents walk in, and say “What happened?”
For example…..
“_____________ broke the vase.”
What word do you put here, if you have no idea who really did it?
What do you say??
Somebody
Something
Someone
No one Nobody
Everybody
Everyon
e
Anyone Anybody
All of these pronouns are indefinite. They do not refer to a specific antecedent,
or the antecedent is unknown.
Indefinite pronouns
in=not definite=clearly stated Indefinite pronouns=pronouns for
which the antecedent is not clearly stated (or is unknown)
Singular vs. Plural
Some indefinite pronouns are singular. Some are plural. Some can be either singular or plural
This is important, because indefinite pronouns must agree with their verbs.
Indefinite pronouns often fail the “sounds right test.” Proper usage may sound awkward, or weird.
It is necessary to memorize which pronouns are singular, which are plural, and which can be either/or.
How can you tell?
each anotheranybody somebodymuch no onesomethingeveryonenobody neitheranything everythingeither anyonenothing someone everybody
Singular indefinite pronouns
Can you separate these into
categories to make them easier to
remember?
Create a chant to help you remember the main singular pronouns and the SANE (some, any, no, every) pronouns:
“Each, much, either, neither, another, and all the ones, bodies, and things”
One idea….
Learn the first singular indefinite pronouns: “each, much, either, neither another” and the following chart:
Another idea…..
someanynoevery
bodyonething
Any combination of words from the right and left side make a singular indefinite pronoun
You can remember the 12 “one, body, thing” pronouns by the mnemonic SANE BOT
INDEFINITE
Attack of the (IN)SANE BOT!
SomeAnyNoEvery
BodyOneThing
Try one of the methods above, or create one of your own
Find some way to help you remember the singular indefinite pronouns
Memorizing the singulars
There are only 5!
Both Few Many Several Others
Plural Indefinite Pronouns
Can you create a mnemonic to help
you remember them?
Bears often sleep for months.
Try this one….
both others several few many
B F M S O Or create your own!
Some indefinite pronouns can be both singular and plural.
These are called the SANAM pronouns
Some All None Any Most
Either/or Indefinite pronouns
When determining if a SANAM pronoun is singular or plural, look at how it’s used in the sentence and ask “Of what?”
Using SANAM Pronouns
Some of the kittens have opened their eyes.
Ask “Some of what?” Kittens is plural, so this pronoun is plural.
SANAM Pronouns
Most of my talent is wasted here. Ask “most of what?” Talent is singular, so this pronoun is singular
SANAM Pronouns
1. Indefinite pronouns do not refer to specific antecedents, or the antecedent is unknown
2. Some indefinite pronouns are singular, some plural, and some can be either/or
3. These pronouns MUST be memorized.4. TONIGHT – look back over your notes and
determine what comprehension aid (mnemonic, chant, etc.) you will use to help you memorize your indefinite pronouns.
Takeaways for today