Indefinite Pronouns
Read and listen to four conversations using the grammar.
Conversation 1
Man: Do you want something to
eat?
Woman: I want something, but
not just anything.
Man: What are you the mood for?
Woman: I’m in the mood for
something spicy.
Man: What about spicy Thai
soup?
Woman: That sounds great. But
you know what? Anything is fine.
Conversation 2
Man: Did you go anywhere this
weekend?
Woman: Nowhere special, just
the mall.
Man: Did you buy anything?
Woman: No, I had no money.
Man: Did you see anyone there?
Woman: No, I didn’t see anyone.
Conversation 3
Man: Where did you go
yesterday?
Woman: Nowhere.
Man: Nowhere! Come on. I’m sure
you went somewhere.
Woman: No, really, I didn’t go
anywhere. I stayed home.
Man: I didn’t go anywhere
either.
Woman: My gosh. We are so
boring!
Conversation 4
Man: Did anyone call?
Woman: No. No one.
Man: Nobody called?
Woman: No. Were you expecting
someone to call you?
Man: Yes, someone.
Woman: Ooh, who is this
someone?
Man: Just someone. Nobody you
know.
Infinitive Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns refer to unspecific items that act like a noun.
(?) Do you want anything?
(?) Do you want something?
(+) I want something to eat.
(--) I don’t want anything to drink.
(--) I have nothing to drink.
(?) Did you go anywhere?
(?) Did you go somewhere?
(+) I want to go somewhere.
(--) I don’t want to go anywhere.
(--) We went nowhere.
(?) Do you know anyone?
(?) Do you know someone?
(+) I know someone like that.
(--) I don’t know anyone here.
(--) I know no one here.
(?) Do you know anybody?
(?) Do you know somebody?
(+) I know somebody like that.
(--) I don’t know anybody here.
(--) I know nobody here.
Note: The words anytime, sometime, and sometimes (for when) and anyhow and somehow (for how) are used like adverbs, not like pronouns.
Under Construction
This Grammar Puzzle will be available May 6th.