Indefinite Pronouns worksheet - Free Printable

Let's solve this worksheet on indefinite pronouns step by step. Indefinite pronouns refer to non-specific people, things, or places (e.g., *someone*, *anything*, *everybody*, etc.). The key is understanding the context — whether the sentence implies existence, negation, or possibility.

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Section A: Choose the correct answer

1. I didn't see Max at the gym. In fact, I didn't see _______ somebody / anybody / nobody. The place was empty.
✔ nobody
→ "Didn't see" + negative context → "nobody" fits.
*Note:* "Nobody" is already negative; "didn't see anybody" would also be correct, but here "nobody" is more direct.

2. Please tell the salesman at the door that we don't want to buy _______ anything / something / nothing.
✔ nothing
→ "Don't want to buy" + negative meaning → "nothing" is correct.
*Note:* "Something" is used in positive offers; "anything" in questions/negatives, but here it's a statement of refusal.

3. Bob, _______ anyone / someone / none is here to see you.
✔ someone
→ We’re saying someone is here. "Anyone" is usually for questions or negatives. "None" is not grammatically correct here.
So: “Someone is here to see you.”

4. Your secret is safe with me. I won't tell _______ anyone / someone / nobody.
✔ anyone
→ "Won’t tell" = negative → use anyone (negative context).
"Nobody" would be incorrect because “I won’t tell nobody” is double negative (incorrect).

5. Check in that bag. I bought you _______ anything / something / nothing.
✔ something
→ Positive statement: “I bought you something.”
"Anything" is for questions/negatives. "Nothing" contradicts the idea of buying.

6. If the phone call is for me, I'm not here. I'm not talking to _______ anybody / nobody / somebody this weekend.
✔ anybody
→ "Not talking to" = negative → use anybody.
"Nobody" would make it "not talking to nobody" → double negative = wrong.

7. I need _______ someone / noone / anyone to talk to. I am very lonely.
✔ someone
→ Needing a person → "someone" (positive).
"Noone" is not a word (should be "no one"). "Anyone" is too vague and doesn't fit the emotional need.

8. I don't care who it is. It can be _______ nobody / somebody / anybody.
✔ anybody
→ "It can be anyone" = no preference → "anybody" is correct.
"Somebody" implies a specific person; "nobody" contradicts the idea.

9. At that restaurant, you can't buy _______ anything / something / nothing for less than $20.
✔ anything
→ "Can't buy" = negative → use anything.
"Nothing" would mean you can buy nothing at all, which isn't what’s meant.

10. You should take _______ anything / something / nothing for that cough.
✔ something
→ Advice to do something helpful → "take something".
"Anything" would imply uncertainty. "Nothing" would suggest not taking medicine, which contradicts advice.

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Section B: Choose the correct answer

1. Would you like _______ nothing / something to eat?
✔ something
→ Offers food → "Would you like something?" is standard.
"Nothing" would be illogical in an offer.

2. It was really dark and I couldn't see _______ something / anything.
✔ anything
→ Negative ("couldn't see") → use anything.

3. Does _______ anybody / nobody live in that house?
✔ anybody
→ Question about existence → use anybody.
"Nobody" would make it negative: "Does nobody live..." → possible, but less natural.
But since it's a question asking if *someone* lives there, anybody is better.

4. It doesn't matter where we go. We can go _______ somewhere / anywhere we want to.
✔ anywhere
→ "We can go anywhere" = freedom of choice → anywhere.
"Somewhere" is vague and doesn't match "doesn't matter".

5. This is boring. There's _______ not something / nothing to do.
✔ nothing
→ "There's nothing to do" = common expression.
"Not something" is ungrammatical.

6. The shop is closed. _______ Somebody / Everybody has gone home.
✔ Everybody
→ Since the shop is closed, likely everyone left → "Everybody has gone home."
"Somebody" suggests only one person, which is less logical.

7. _______ Has everyone / have everyone done their homework?
✔ Has everyone
→ "Everyone" is singular → uses singular verb: has.
"Have everyone" is incorrect grammar.

8. The guidebook says there's a good hotel _______ somewhere / everywhere near here.
✔ somewhere
→ "There's a good hotel somewhere" = one location exists.
"Everywhere" would mean many hotels exist in every place, which is too strong.

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✔ Final Answers:

#### Section A:
1. nobody
2. nothing
3. someone
4. anyone
5. something
6. anybody
7. someone
8. anybody
9. anything
10. something

#### Section B:
1. something
2. anything
3. anybody
4. anywhere
5. nothing
6. Everybody
7. Has everyone
8. somewhere

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🔍 Explanation Summary:

- Use something, someone, somewhere in positive statements.
- Use anything, anyone, anywhere in questions and negatives.
- Use nothing, nobody, nowhere for complete absence.
- Avoid double negatives (e.g., "don’t tell nobody").
- Be careful with subject-verb agreement (e.g., "everyone" takes singular verbs).

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