Reciprocal pronouns and indefinite pronouns
Reciprocal
pronouns: each other and one another
We use the reciprocal pronouns each other and one
another when two or more people do the same thing.
Traditionally, each other refers to two people and one
another refers to more than two people, but this distinction is
disappearing in modern English.
- Peter and Mary helped one
another.
= Peter helped Mary and Mary helped Peter. - We sent each other Christmas
cards.
= We sent them a Christmas card and they sent us a Christmas card. - They didn’t look at one
another.
= He didn't look at her and she didn't look at him.
We also use the possessive forms each other’s and
one another’s:
They helped to look after each other’s children.
We often stayed in one another’s houses.
We often stayed in one another’s houses.
NOTE: We do not
use reciprocal pronouns as the subject of a clause.
indefinite
pronouns
The indefinite pronouns are:
somebody
|
someone
|
something
|
anybody
|
anyone
|
anything
|
nobody
|
no one
|
nothing
|
everybody
|
everyone
|
everything
|
We use indefinite pronouns to refer to people or things
without saying exactly who or what they are. We use pronouns ending in -body
or -one for people, and pronouns ending in -thing
for things:
Everybody enjoyed
the concert.
I opened the door but there was no one at home.
It was a very clear day. We could see everything.
I opened the door but there was no one at home.
It was a very clear day. We could see everything.
We use a singular verb after an indefinite pronoun:
Everybody loves Sally.
Everything was ready for the party.
Everything was ready for the party.
When we refer back to an indefinite pronoun we
normally use a plural pronoun:
Everybody enjoyed
the concert. They stood up and clapped.
I will tell somebody that dinner is ready. They have been waiting a long time.
I will tell somebody that dinner is ready. They have been waiting a long time.
We can add -'s to an indefinite pronoun to
make a possessive.
They were staying in somebody’s house.
Is this anybody’s coat?
Is this anybody’s coat?
We use indefinite pronouns with no- as the subject
in negative clauses (not pronouns with any.)
We do not use another negative in a clause with nobody,
no one or nothing:
Nobody came.
Nothing happened.
Nothing happened.
We use else after indefinite pronouns to refer
to people or things in addition to the ones we already mentioned.
All the family came, but no one else.
If Michael can’t come we’ll ask somebody else.
So that's eggs, peas and chips. Do you want anything else?
If Michael can’t come we’ll ask somebody else.
So that's eggs, peas and chips. Do you want anything else?
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