Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns are words used to refer to people, places, things, or amounts in a general or non-specific way. They do not point to a particular person or thing, but rather to an unknown, unspecified, or unimportant one.
Common examples of indefinite pronouns include: someone, anyone, everyone, something, anything, nothing, each, few, many, several, and all.
They are often used when the exact identity or quantity is not known or not necessary to mention.
Example:
Someone left their bag in the classroom. (We don’t know who.)
Everything is ready for the presentation. (Refers to all things in general.)
Indefinite pronouns can function as subjects, objects, or complements in a sentence.
|
Pronoun |
Meaning
(English) |
Meaning
(Spanish) |
Sentence
Example |
|
anything |
a thing of
any kind |
algo /
cualquier cosa |
You can
choose anything you like. |
|
nothing |
not a thing |
nada |
There is
nothing in the box. |
|
something |
an
unspecified thing |
algo |
I heard
something strange. |
|
someone |
an
unspecified person |
alguien |
Someone is at
the door. |
|
anyone |
any person |
alguien /
cualquiera |
Can anyone
help me? |
|
nobody |
no person |
nadie |
Nobody knows
the answer. |
|
everybody |
all people |
todos / todo
el mundo |
Everybody is
happy today. |
|
some |
an
unspecified amount |
algo de /
algunos-as |
I have some
apples. |
|
many |
a large
number |
muchos/as |
Many students
are here. |
|
all |
the whole
quantity |
todo / todos |
All are
welcome. |
|
both |
the two
together |
ambos/as |
Both are
correct. |
|
each |
every
individual |
cada uno/a |
Each student
has a book. |
|
another |
one more / an
additional |
otro/a |
I want
another cookie. |
|
other |
a different
one |
otro/a |
This pen is
blue, the other is black. |
