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.

Parsing Some and Any

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 pepperbutwedon"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:

1. Do you have knives and forks?
2. He has several German books at home.
3. Show him some photos, please.
4. Does he have any English magazines at home?
5. Do you have children?
6. Jim has several colored pencils.
7. 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!

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 must somehow finish your report, 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?

The best way is to make sentences and do 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!

The meaning of indefinite pronouns and their translation into Russian depends on the sentence in which they are used: affirmative, interrogative or negative.

1. a) Some several, some used in affirmative sentences, for example:

b) When the adjective pronoun some (with the meaning some amount) stands before an uncountable noun, replacing the article; it is not translated into Russian.

Some before a numeral matters approximately, about.

Some is sometimes used before singular countable nouns with the meaning some.

c) The noun pronoun some translates some of with the subsequent definition introduced by the preposition of.

2. Any is used:

a) In affirmative sentences with the meaning everyone, any before countable nouns in the singular. For example:

b) In conditional sentences with some meaning. For example:

c) In negative sentences with the meaning none. For example:

d) With uncountable nouns or when you need to replace them. In this case, the word any is usually not translated into Russian. For example:

Any of translates any of. For example:

With a noun, only the pronoun no (and not not any) is used as the subject, which is translated into Russian none, none.

None is used instead of an already mentioned noun.

None as a pronoun-noun with a definition introduced by the preposition of, translates none from:

Derived words from the indefinite pronouns some, any and the negative pronoun no

The pronouns some, any, no, as well as the pronoun avery everyone occur with the words thing thing, body person, one someone, were where, where.
With negative pronouns and adverbs, there can be two options for constructing an English sentence. For example:

In negative sentences if available no, nothing, nobody, no one, none, nowhere the verb is put in the affirmative form, since there should not be two negatives in the sentence. For example:

Notes: 1. In negative sentences, only nobody, no one, and nothing are used as subjects.

2. After the pronouns nobody, nothing, anybody (in an affirmative sentence), anything, no one, somebody, something, everything, everybody The verb is in the 3rd person singular.

3. The English word every as an adjective in English-Russian dictionaries is translated by the Russian word every. Derivatives of the words everybody, everyone are also given in the meanings everyone, everyone (person).
In order to comply with the stylistic norms of Russian speech, combinations of the word every with a noun (every effort, every action) can often be translated into the Russian word all (all efforts).
In this case, the predicate of the English sentence, expressed in the personal form of the verb in the singular, is conveyed by the Russian verb in the plural:

Indefinite Pronouns in the role definitions indicate an indefinite quantity or quality, and in the role nouns– to vague or unknown objects and persons.

Some affirmative proposals (as well as in special questions and general questions expressing a request or proposal).

Any and its derivatives are used in negative proposals and general issues. In affirmative sentences any and its derivatives are used in the meaning any.

For example:

I have n't any questions. = I do n't have any questions.orI've got no questions.I have no ( no) questions.

There is n't anything on the table.orThere is nothing on the table.Not on the tableNothing .

1 As pronoun-adjective used:

A) Before countable nouns in plural number in meaning several, some(sometimes not translated):

b) Before countable nouns in the only one number in meaning some, some:

V) Before uncountable noun means some amount, some amount, a little and usually not translated:

Note: Pronoun some with uncountable nouns means only some amount, part of something, compare:

2 As pronoun-noun used:

A) Instead of countable plural nouns in meaning some, some:

b) Instead of uncountable nouns:

If the pronoun some in meaning some refers to a specific group of persons or objects, then after some a pretext is given of, and before a noun there is usually a definite article the, possessive or demonstrative pronoun:

1 In meaning anyone, everyone pronoun any can be used in all types of sentences before countable nouns in the only one number and uncountable nouns (as pronoun-adjective):

2 In the role pronoun-noun, replacing the previously mentioned noun, with the same meaning - any:

Which newspaper do you want? – Any will do. What newspaper do you need? – Any will do.

Which of these books may I take? – Any. Which of these books can I take? – I love it.

Generally speaking, some And any can be used in any type of sentence. Using some, the speaker assumes the existence of what is being spoken about. And using any, he is not sure of this, or the existence of this is generally denied.

A) Negative meaning can be transmitted not only through not, but also with the help of various, negative in meaning, words: hardlybarely, scarcelyhardly (barely), hardly, withoutwithout and so on.

b) In subordinate conditional clauses, usually with a conjunction if. Here any occurs 10-20 times more often than some.

It is worth recalling once again that questions and negations in the Present and Past Indefinite are formed with the help of the auxiliary do. An auxiliary verb is not required with a predicate to be (is, are, was...), A to have may be used like with do, and without.

IN general issues(questions without a question word that require a short answer - Yes or No ).

As pronoun-adjective used:

A) Before countable nouns in plural any, often not translated:

b) Before uncountable nouns and abstract concepts (usually not translated):

Note: Combination any more translated as more , For example:

In ordinary speech, of course, they don’t say this at length, and such a formulation is shortened to: Any questions? – More questions? and is pronounced with a questioning intonation.

As pronoun-noun used instead of themselves countable nouns in plural number and instead uncountable nouns:

I want some pencils. Do you have any? or maybe Have you any?

I need pencils. Do you have (pencils)?

Can be used with a preposition of, like a pronoun some in affirmative sentences:

In meaning anyone, everyone :

Pronoun some(but not any) is used:

A) IN special issues(starting with question words):

b) And also in general issues, expressing offer:

Note: or simpler: Some more? – More ?(if it’s already clear what we’re talking about).

or request:

Note: You can ask without resorting to interrogative formulation:

In negative sentences some not used, only pronoun any. Moreover, the predicate of the sentence must be in a negative form. Often instead not... any used no.

As pronoun-adjective used:

A) Before countable nouns in plural number. Can be translated as none , often not translated:

He didn't n't make any mistakes in his dictation. = He made no mistakes in his dictation.

He didn't ( no) mistakes in dictation.

b) Before uncountable nouns. Can be translated as no, often not translated:

I don't have any money.= I have no money.(the second option is used twice as often)

I don't have (any) money.

There is n't any milk in the fridge. = There is (There’s) no milk in the fridge.

There is no milk in the refrigerator.

Note: As mentioned above, the pronoun any in meaning anyone, everyone can be used in all types of sentences:

As pronoun-noun used:

A) Instead of countable plural nouns:

I asked him for some cigarettes but he didn’t have any. I asked him for cigarettes, but he didn't have any.

b ) Instead of uncountable nouns:

Please give me some coffee. – I’m sorry, there isn’t any.

Give me some coffee, please. - Unfortunately, there is no (coffee).

–one And –body: someone, somebody And anyone, anybody- synonyms that have the same meaning (which does not surprise us at all, since this phenomenon is very common in the Russian language). Approximately, according to statistics, the frequency of use. pronouns from –one twice as much as from –body; and in some individual cases the discrepancy in frequency reaches up to five times, of course in favor –one.

Derived pronouns Alwaysused as pronouns-nouns and the same rules of use in different types of sentences apply to them as for some And any.

IN nominative in case they are used in the function subject or additions. In the function of the subject, they are combined with a singular predicate verb.

Pronouns formed with –one And –body, are used only in a relationship of people and can have the form of the possessive case, acting as definitions: someone's, somebody's, anyone's, anybody's.

Pronouns formed with –thing, are used only in relation to inanimate objects and concepts.

1 Affirmative sentences:

In the role subject:

In the role additions:

I know someone (somebody) who can help you.I know someone who can help you.

The same goes for to inanimate subjects and concepts:

Note: After somebody(as after anybody) preposition of rarely used. Expression one of (us, you, them) better translate as someone of or one of (us, you, them), For example:

Someone (One) of your friends called in the morning.Someone from your friends came in this morning.

IN possessive case in the role definitions:

In this case anybody, anyone matter anyone, anyone, anyone; anything – anything:

About inanimate objects and abstract concepts:

The same as in the cases with any, may be used in various affirmative sentences having negative connotation or reflective uncertainty the author in the facts stated:

Often in conditional sentences, usually with if:

2 Interrogative sentences:

In general questions:

In relation to inanimate things, concepts:

In the possessive case in the role definitions:

Note: Pronouns anyone, anybody, anything can be used similarly to the pronoun any, with the meaning anyone, anyone, both in affirmative and interrogative sentences:

May I take anything I like?Can I take it what I want? (any thing I want)

Pronouns somebody, someone And something(not anybody, anyone and anything) used, similar to the pronoun some, V special issues:

Why didn't you ask someone to help you? Why didn't you ask someone help you?

And also in general issues expressing a proposal or request:

3 Negative sentences:

In a negative sentence, a construction like with indefinite pronouns is possible not...anyone (anybody, anything), and with negative pronouns – no one, nobody, nothing.

I did n't see anyone (anybody) there. = I saw no one (nobody) there.(the option with nobody is rarely used, the rest are approximately the same) I no one didn't see it there.

Regarding inanimate objects and concepts:

They did n't find anything. = They found nothing. They Nothing not found.

I do n 't see anything. = I see nothing. (both options are the same) I do not see Nothing.

He didn't n't say anything. = He said nothing. ( the second option is a little more common) He Nothing didn't say.

Pronoun one(the form coincides with the numeral oneone) has two main meanings: vaguely personal And substitute words .

Pronoun one used as pronoun-noun. IN nominative case one serves as a function subject or additions, and in possessive case – one's– in function definitions. Has a shape plural numbers – ones[wAnz]. Usually in Russian does not translate.

1 Subject in indefinite personal proposals. In sentences of this type, only the form is used the only one numbers one And possessive case one's.

If one wants a thing done, one had the best to do it alone.If you want something done, do it yourself. = If someone wants (to have) something/(thing) done, someone should better do it myself.

In the composition of predicate sentences with an indefinite-personal subject one modal verbs are often included ( must, can, should and etc.):

In the possessive case one's used in the role definitions to an indefinite-personal subject one:

Can perform in the complement function in meaning anyone, anyone and so on

It offends one to be told one is not wanted. Everyone gets offended when to him you say that He not needed.=It offends one (it offends someone/everyone) to be told ( they will tell him) one is not wanted ( he/anyone is not required).

Statements with one considered too formal, bookish and in colloquial speech less formal is preferred you:

2 As a substitute word pronoun one is used instead of the previously mentioned noun to avoid its repetition. Used instead countable nouns in the only one ( one) and plural ( ones). The possessive case form is not used in this capacity. Can refer to persons and inanimate objects; most often it is not translated.

Take my pen. – Thank you, I've got one. Take my pen. - Thank you, I have (a pen).

Is there a bank near here? – Yes, there is one at the end of this street.Is there a bank nearby? - Yes, there is, at the end of the street.

Uncountable nouns are not replaced by one (ones). They are either repeated or omitted.

I prefer French cheese to Dutch.I prefer French cheese to Dutch (cheese).

Typical cases useone in this capacity:

A) Def. article the + one + individualizing definition. The creature it replaces can be translated either by words That; that; that, which:

b) Adjective (in the positive or comparative degree; after the superlative degree one usually omitted) + one (ones). For example, in the singular:

In plural ( ones):

V) F culturally (optional) after pronouns this, that, which, another, the other:

Here are some books. Whichones would you like?Here are some books. Which You want?

Plural after these, those pronoun ones not placed, but simply omitted.

G) Can be used after ordinal numbers the first, the second… and words the last, the next :

One (ones ) not used after both ; and possessive pronouns: my, her, our… (they must always be followed by a noun, and in the absence of one they are used in the form of a pronoun-noun: mine, hers, ours.. ); not used after nouns in the possessive case.

Whose pen is this? – It is (It’s) my pen.= It’smine . (it's not allowed here my one) Whose is this pen?- My(pen).

d) The one can be used to mean Human , replacing words man, woman, girl and so on. in sentences with individualizing definitions, for example:

e) Plural form numbers ones also used combined: article the + adjective(participle) + ones to refer to all people characterized by this adjective, for example: the youngones youth, young, the lovedones lovers.

and) Widely used in advertising messages: