Indefinite and Distributive pronouns

The term indefinite itself exhibit the meaning that it does not refer to any definite or specific things or people. A distributive pronoun considers members of a group separately, rather than collectively. Hence, here we will learn about Indefinite and Distributive pronouns.

Indefinite and Distributive pronouns

Indefinite pronouns

These Indefinite pronouns are always singular

  1. Everybody
  2. Somebody
  3. Nobody
  4. Everyone
  5. Someone
  6. Everything
  7. Something
  8. Nothing
  9. Anything
  10. Neither
  11. Either
  12. Any
  13. Each

These Indefinite pronouns are always plural, but there is some exception with “all”.

  1. All
  2. Both
  3. Few
  4. Many
  5. Others
  6. Several

Distributive Pronouns

  1. Each
  2. Either
  3. Neither
  4. None
  • Neither:- (2/0) no one from two (singular).
  • Either:- (2/1) one from two (singular).
  • None:- (many/0) (2+) no one from many (singular & plural)
  • All:- (many/many) many from many.
  • Any:- (many/1) one from many (singular).
  • Both:- (2/2) two from two (plural).

Examples

  1. Someone is waiting for you.
  2. Anybody can dance.
  3. One must not boas one’s success.
  4. Some are born great.
  5. He helps everyone.
  6. Everybody wants to succeed in life.
  1. None/neither of the two boys came late. (for 2/0 we use neither)
  2. Neither/none of those six girls was wearing a black shoes. (for many/0 use none)
  3. Either/any of these three candidates can be selected. (many/1)
  4. None/ neither of your hands is damaged. (2/0) since we have two hands only.
  5. None/ both of your hands are damaged. (2/2)
  6. All/ both of my hands are full. (2/2)
  7. He has bought two cars, but neither is new.

Some more example

  • Neither of my eyes is/are not(neither is already negative) hurting. (singular)
  • None of them have not(none is already negative) decided to come. (none is singular and plural both)
  • Both of them are coming. (we use Both for positive)
  • Both of them are not coming. (incorrect)
  • Neither of them is/are coming. (correct)

Why do either of, neither of, one of, etc. take plural nouns and singular verbs?

Since these neither, either, and one all are singular. But after adding “of” the next pronouns become the object of the preposition “of”, but still the subject remains singular. Hence, the coming verb follows the subject and be in the singular form. See the explicit sense below. (Indefinite and Distributive pronouns)

Example for one of and none of by Alok Pandey and online English teacher.
  1. Neither of them is coming. (Distributive)
  2. All is well. (Indefinite)
  3. All of them have come. (Distributive)
  4. Everyone is happy. (Indefinite)
  5. Every one of us is happy. (Distributive)
  6. Both are coming. (Indefinite)
  7. Both of them are coming. (distributive)

Use of “One” indefinite pronoun.

SubjectObjectPluralPossessive
OneOneOnesOne’s

Generally, no gender is used with “one” it has its own gender, “one’s”.

Indefinite

  1. Everyone should do his duty.
  2. One should do one’s duty.
  3. Everyone should protect himself from cold.
  4. One should respect his/one’s parent.
  5. Each is free to do whatever he wants.
  6. One should keep one’s/his promise.
  7. One must take care of his/one’s dressing.

Distributive

  1. One of my friends has got his dream job.
  2. One of my sisters has sold her old car.
  3. When it comes to animals. One of my dogs lost its patience.
  4. One of my friends has given me his book.

Some more examples

  1. This one.
  2. That one.
  3. The red one.
  4. The black one.
  5. Which one.
  6. This is a new phone, but that is an old one.
  7. The phone you have are better than the ones I have.

Indefinite and Distributive pronouns

Indefinite and Distributive pronouns