Indefinite pronouns of a simple form into English. Indefinite pronouns in English

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INDEFINITE PRONOUNS (INDEFINITE PRONOUNS)

2. Indefinite pronouns one someone, someone and other other can be plural:

one-ones
other - others

The indefinite pronouns one, other, as well as all complex pronouns containing -one and -body in their composition, can be in the possessive form:

Not attracted everyone's attention by his laughing.
With his laughter, he attracted the attention of everyone (everyone's attention).

3. Indefinite pronouns can perform the following functions in a sentence:
a. Subject:

Then quite suddenly everything became strangely quiet.
Then all of a sudden everything became surprisingly calm.

b. Nominal part of the predicate:

The medical and teaching professions are the ones that are far from easy.
The professions of doctors and teachers are professions that are far from easy.

c. Additions:

Not had been obliged to think of others.
He had to think about others.

d. Definitions:

All things are difficult before they are easy.
Before it becomes easy, everything is difficult. (Every beginning is difficult.)

4. The pronouns some, any usually serve as a definition for a noun. Nouns
defined by these pronouns are always used without an article.

5. The pronoun some is usually used in affirmative sentences.
If the pronoun some is a definition for a countable noun, it is translated by the words several, some:

Some of my friends can speak English.
Some of my friends can speak English.

If the pronoun some is a definition for an uncountable noun, then it is translated by words a little, a certain amount, or not translated at all:

Bring me some water, please!
Please bring me (some) water!

When I have some free time I read English books in the original.
When I have free time, I read English books in the original.

The pronoun some can also mean approximately, about:

Some fifty students were present at this lecture.
About fifty students attended this lecture.

6. The pronoun any is usually used in interrogative and negative sentences.
If the pronoun any is a definition for a countable noun, it is translated by the words any, any:

Have you got any written exercises today?
Do you have any writing exercises today?

If the pronoun any is an attribute to an uncountable noun, it is translated by the words some, some amount, or not translated at all:

Is there any tea in that glass?
Is there tea in that glass?

In affirmative sentences before countable nouns, any means any, anyone:

You can get any book you like in our library.
You can borrow any book you want from our library.

In negative sentences, any means no:

Today we do not have any lessons but mathematics.
Today we have no classes except for mathematics.

The pronoun any, as a rule, is not translated if used instead of the previously mentioned
noun:

I want some material on this subject. Have you got any?
I need material on this topic. Do you have (such material)?

7. Compound pronouns formed from the pronouns some, any, can be used respectively in
affirmative, interrogative and negative sentences:

It was followed by a hush as though something important had been said at last.
Silence followed, as if something important had finally been said.

"I didn't mean anything".
I didn't mean anything.

8. The pronoun all all, all, everything, everything expresses a combination of more than two objects or persons. It can be used with both uncountable and countable nouns in both singular and plural:

All the students were ready for the lesson.
All students were ready for class.

Wasn't busy all the time.
He was busy all the time.

The pronoun all can be used in a sentence in the function of a subject, a nominal part of a predicate, an object, a definition:

All that glitters is not gold. (subject)
All that glitters is gold.

I worked hard all my life. (definition)
I have worked hard all my life.

If the pronoun all is used instead of an animate noun, then it is combined with a plural verb; if the pronoun all is used instead of an inanimate noun, then it is combined with a verb in the singular:

All were ready for the lesson.
Everyone was ready to go.

All is well that ends well.
All is well that ends well.

The pronoun all is often used in phrases like all of us, all of us, all of them, all of them, etc.

All of us watched the Goodwill Games which took place in Moscow, Tallinn and Jurmala in July 1986.
We all followed the Goodwill Games that took place in July 1986 in Moscow, Tallinn and Jurmala.

9. The pronouns each, every can only be used with singular countable nouns.

The pronoun each means each (individually), and the pronoun every means anyone, any:

Each group numbers twenty-five students.
There are twenty-five students in each group.

It is necessary to protect the future of our planet in every possible way.
Any possible ways the future of our planet must be protected.

The pronoun each can be used instead of a noun:

I asked the students to read and translate the text; each read in turn.
I asked the students to read and translate the text; each (student) read in turn.

10. Compound pronouns everybody everyone, anyone, everyone, everyone everyone and everything everything is combined with a verb in the singular:

Everybody was informed of the changes in the agenda of the meeting.
Everyone was informed about the changes in the agenda of the meeting.

11. The pronouns both both, either each of the two, and both can be used when it comes to only two persons or objects.

Both means both as a whole:

Both looked dark and entirely deserted.
Both seemed gloomy and completely abandoned.

Either means each of the two, both, and one of the two:

I didn't see either of them.
I haven't seen any (of either) of them.

12. The pronoun another is used with singular countable nouns and has the meaning one more, another (not this one):

One good turn deserves another. (good turn).
One good service deserves another. (Debt good turn deserves another)

The pronoun other is used with nouns both in the singular and in the plural and has the meaning of other, others:

There is a high building on the other side of the street.
On the other side of the street (there is) a tall building.

My friend took the other magazines.
My friend took other magazines.

The pronouns another, other can be used instead of a noun. In this case, the pronoun other can be pluralized:

Besides he knew what the others would say.
Besides, he knew what others would say.

13. The pronoun one someone, someone can be plural and possessive:

one - the ones
one - one "s

The pronoun one is used in a sentence as a subject when the subject is unknown. In this case, the pronoun one is combined with a verb in the third person singular and is not translated into Russian, and the verb-predicate is translated by a verb in the second person singular or in the third person plural:

One never knows what to do in a situation like this.
You never know what to do in a situation like this.

Often the pronoun one as a subject is combined with modal verbs. Together with modal verbs, it is translated by the words can, need, should:

One must do everything in time.
Everything should be done on time.

The pronoun one can be used instead of the countable noun mentioned earlier to avoid repetition:

It is easier to ask a question, then to answer one.
It is easier to ask a question than to answer it.

As a substitute for a noun, the pronoun one can be used with various definitions:

There are troubles in everyday "s life, and very often the small ones are more irritating than the big ones.
There are (always) troubles in everyday life, and very often the little ones (the troubles) are more annoying than the big ones.

14. Pronouns many - many, many, few - few, a few - several are used with countable
plural nouns:

Parts of the town of Cambridge still remain as they were many years ago.
Some parts of the city of Cambridge are still preserved as they were many years ago.

There are still a few Technical schools in Britain but most of the technical education, full-time or part-time, is provided in Technical Colleges.
There are several other technical schools in the UK, but in most cases technical education, day or night, is provided in technical colleges.

15. Pronouns much a lot, little a little, a little a little are used with uncountable
nouns:

Not will go to London and enjoy himself a little before visiting his step-sister.
Before visiting his half-sister, he will go to London and have some fun.

She knitted stockings and grew vegetables, but she could earn little money; she had to look after her husband, who was like a little child now.
She knitted stockings and grew vegetables, but she could earn little money; she had to look after her husband, who was now like a small child.

The pronouns much much and little little can be used on their own without a definable noun. In this case, they are combined with the verb-predicate in the third person singular:

There is only precious quarter of an hour of freedom and so much can be done in it.
There is only a precious quarter of an hour of freedom, and how much can be done during this time.

is not poor that has little, but he that desires much.
Poor is not the one who has little, but the one who wants a lot.

16. The pronouns few, little, a few, a little, differ in their meaning: few, little are translated a little; a few, a little mean a little, a few:

There is little coffee in my cup.
There is not enough coffee in my cup.

There is a little coffee in my cup.
There is some coffee in my cup.

Indefinite pronouns ( Indefinite pronouns) in the role definitions indicate an indefinite quantity or quality, and in the role nouns- on indefinite or unknown objects and persons.

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

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

For example:

I have n't any questions. = I do n't have any questions.orI've got no questions.I have no ( none) 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 a few, some(sometimes not translated):

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

in) Before uncountable nouns means some amount, a little, some and usually not translated:

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

2 As pronoun-noun used:

a) Instead of countable plural nouns meaning some, some:

b) Instead of uncountable nouns:

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

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

2 Cast 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 fit.

Which of these books may I take? - Any. Which of these books can I borrow? - Any.

Generally speaking, some and any can be used in any type of sentences. By using some, the speaker assumes the existence of what is being said. 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, scarcelyscarcely (hardly), hardly, withoutwithout etc.

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 Present and Past Indefinite are formed with the help of an auxiliary do. The auxiliary verb is not required with the predicate to be (is, are, was…), a to have can use as with do, and without.

AT general issues(questions without a question word requiring 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 translates as more , for example:

In ordinary speech, of course, they don’t speak so long, and such a wording is reduced to: Any questions? – More questions? and pronounced with an interrogative intonation.

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

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

I need pencils. Do you have (pencils)?

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

In meaning any, anyone :

Pronoun some(but not any) is used:

a) AT special issues(beginning with question words):

b) And also in general issues expressing sentence:

Note: or easier: Some more? – More ?(if it's clear what it's about).

or request:

Note: You can ask without resorting to interrogative wording:

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

As pronoun-adjective used:

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

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

He didn't none) errors in the 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 any, anyone 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 coffee, please. – Unfortunately, (coffee) is not.

-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 of -one.

Derived pronouns alwaysare used as noun pronouns and the same rules of use in different types of sentences apply to them as for some and any.

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

Pronouns formed with -one and -body, are used only in a relationship of people and can take the form of the possessive case, acting as a function 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:

Cast subject:

Cast additions:

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

The same for to the inanimate objects and concepts

Note: After somebody(as after anybody) preposition of rarely used. Expression one of (us, you, them) better translated 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 by in the morning.

AT possessive in the role definitions:

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

On inanimate objects and abstract concepts:

Just as in the cases with any, can use in various affirmative sentences having negative connotation or reflective uncertainty the author in the stated facts:

Often in conditional sentences, usually with if:

2 Interrogative sentences:

For general questions:

In relation to inanimate things, concepts:

In the possessive case in the role definitions:

Note: Pronouns anyone, anybody, anything can be used in the same way as the pronoun any, with the value anyone, anyone, in both affirmative and interrogative sentences:

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

Pronouns somebody, someone and something(not anybody , anyone and anything ) used, similar to a pronoun some, in 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 an offer or request:

3 Negative Suggestions:

In a negative sentence, a construction is possible with both indefinite pronouns 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 about the same) I nobody didn't see it there.

Regarding inanimate objects and concepts:

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

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

He did n't say anything. = He said nothing. ( the second option a little more often) He nothing didn't say.

Pronoun one(in form coinciding with the numeral oneone) has two main meanings: indefinite personal and substitute words .

Pronoun one used as pronoun-noun. AT nominative case one functions 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 offers. In sentences of this type, only the form is used the only numbers one and possessive case one's.

If one want a thing done, one had best do it oneself.If you want a job done, do it yourself. = If a someone wants (for) something/(thing) to be done, someone should better do it myself.

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

In the possessive 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 say that he not needed.= It offends one (it offends anyone/everyone) to be told he will be told) one is not wanted ( he/someone is not required).

statements from one considered too formal, bookish and in colloquial speech preference is given to less formal 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) and plural ( ones). The possessive case is not used in this capacity. Can refer to persons and inanimate objects; often not translated.

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

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

Uncountable nouns are not replaced by one (ones). They either repeat or omit.

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

Typical Cases useone in that capacity:

a) Def. article the + one + individualizing definition. Can be translated by the creature it replaces or by words that; that; that, which:

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

In plural ( ones):

in) F cultative (optional) after pronouns this , that , which , another , the other:

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

plural after these, those pronoun ones is not set, 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 ; as well as possessive pronouns: my, her, our… (they must always be followed by a noun, and in its absence 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 . (you can't here my one) Whose pen is it?- My(a pen).

e) The one can be used to mean human , replacing words man, woman, girl etc. in sentences with individualizing definitions, for example:

e) Plural form numbers ones also use. 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 advertisements:

Friends, we have already studied many types of English pronouns. Everyone has long known that the pronoun is one of the main parts of speech, which replaces the noun in a sentence and in speech.

Today we will discuss another kind 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 to be similar, but are used in different ways.

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, a few, a little." In a sentence, they perform the function of a definition. They are actually translated in the same way, but in the sentence they are used in different ways. And here is the use of these words.

Some used in affirmative sentences:

• Ihavesome goodfriends. — I have some 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 even omitted in translation:

• Ihave"tany booksofMathematics. I don't have any books on mathematics.
• Doyouhaveany lettersfromtom? Do you have any letters from Tom?

Sometimes a word Some can be used in interrogative sentences if you offer something to the interlocutor:

• Would you like some coffee? - Would you like some coffee?

As you have 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 pepper,butwedon"thaveany sugar;weshouldbuysome. We have some pepper, but no sugar; need to buy some (sugar).

To consolidate the acquired knowledge, try to translate into English the following sentences using the words Some and Any. Exercises of this type will train you in the knowledge of 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 some colored pencils.
7. My friend has several geographical maps.

The table of indefinite pronouns is 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 must have recognized these indefinite pronouns. The use of such words in speech is familiar to everyone who studies English! Well, well, we refreshed our memory, now let's get down to the table!

This is the table we have. Small, but very necessary for the use of indefinite pronouns in speech.

The use of these pronouns in a sentence and in speech corresponds to the use of words Some and any. All on Some used in affirmative sentences; all on Any- in negative and interrogative. For example:

• You should finish your report somehow, otherwise you can get a bad mark. “You have to somehow finish your report, otherwise you might get a bad mark.
• Doyouknowanyone whocouldhelpus? Do you know someone who would help us?
• Ican"tstopthewater,please,dosomething ! “I can’t stop the water, please do something!”
• Isanybody in? - Is there anyone at 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 learn indefinite pronouns easily and quickly?

Friends, if you are studying 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. As much as possible of this type of work 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 mastering of the indefinite pronouns of the English language!

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English indefinite pronouns some, no, any, every, when combined with the word thing, meaning "thing, object" can form other pronouns that will replace inanimate nouns. And combined with words one and body(body) pronouns are formed replacing animate nouns. "Where" means "where", respectively, the derivatives somewhere, anywhere and nowhere will indicate the location.

How to correctly use derivatives of some, any, no

Pay attention to the pronoun formation table, which details all the pronouns formed in accordance with the above method, with a translation into Russian.

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Derivatives are used in the same way as . Pronouns somebody,someone and something, as well as the indefinite pronoun some, used only in affirmative sentences, a anybody, anyone, and anything replace them in interrogative and negative sentences. Examples:

• I see somebody near the gate. – I see someone near the gate
• I don't see anyone there. - I don't see anyone there
• There is something in the basket. - there is something in the basket
• Is there anything in the basket? - Is there anything in the basket?

A sentence that contains pronouns no, nothing, nobody, called negative, will contain only one negation, i.e. the predicate will not be in a negative, but in an affirmative form.

• There is nobody here - there is nobody here
• I know nothing - I know nothing
• Nobody has come - nobody has come

As can be seen from the above examples, Russian sentences contain two negatives each: the first, expressed by the negative particle “no”, and the second by negative pronouns “nobody, nothing, nobody”, but when translated into English, there should be only one negation. Therefore, if we use nothing, nobody,nowhere, then we need an affirmative sentence. We remind you that if these same sentences are put in an interrogative form, no, nobody, nothing will be replaced by any, anybody, anything.

• There is nobody in the class – is there anybody in the class? - Is there anyone in the class?
• I know nothing - do you know anything? – do you know anything?
• Nobody has come – has anybody come? - did anyone come?

When translating sentences from Russian into English containing indefinite pronouns and their derivatives, first determine which sentence is in front of you: affirmative, negative or interrogative, and only then do the translation.

• Derivatives with every - everybody/everyone - everyone, each and everything - everything - combined with the 3rd person singular verb: Everything is OK. Has everyone come?

In a sentence, derivative pronouns act as a subject or object:

• Somebody is calling you. - in this case, the word "Somebody" is the subject - Someone is calling you.
• Do you hear anything? - and in this sentence is an addition - Do you hear anything?

Derivatives with where

Indefinite pronouns Some, any, no, every also combined with the interrogative pronoun " where- where” and form adverbs from it, which are translated as somewhere , anywhere- "somewhere, somewhere, somewhere, somewhere" nowhere- nowhere, nowhere everywhere- "everywhere".

• Are you going anywhere? – are you going somewhere?
• He works nowhere - he does not work anywhere
• Does he work anywhere? – does he work anywhere?
• The snow is everywhere - snow is everywhere

As you can see from the above examples, the derived adverb somewhere, as in the case of derived pronouns, is used in affirmative sentences, and anywhere replaces it in interrogative and negative.

Different types of English pronouns are used to express a variety of speech situations. As you know, the number of categories of these parts of speech is quite significant, and sometimes it is rather problematic to determine which form is best to use. The use of indefinite pronouns in English can be especially difficult, since there are many nuances here, as well as negative pronouns, which also have a number of features. These include some any no, as well as their derivatives. All their characteristics require special attention and detailed study.

Main features of indefinite pronouns

Indefinite pronouns in English (indefinite pronouns) are called so for the reason that they do not carry any specific and accurate information and are usually translated as “something, someone, someone ...”. This category is based on two main structures: some any, as well as their derivatives. Before focusing on the rules for using some and any, you can display what everyone looks like possible options, formed from these words, which are actively used in the language. The following table will show the possible options:

For some/any, the usage rule is quite clear, and it is this that determines what the difference will be: the use of some is typical for affirmative sentences, while any is usually used in interrogative sentences and negative phrases. For example:

He has some information, and he wants to share it with me - He has some information, and he wants to share it with me
Do you have any information? – No, I don’t have any – Do you have any information? - There is no

This difference between some and any is key, but as with any rule, there are some exceptions.

For example, the use of some is sometimes acceptable in interrogative sentences that carry the meaning of a polite sentence; a similar situation with any would look somewhat impolite:

Would like some tea? – Would you like some tea? (the one who asks the question expects a positive answer and does not mean "at least some tea")

Examples of any in affirmative sentences are phrases from the Conditionals category, that is, the conditional mood, as well as situations where the pronoun any has the translation "any":

She would set off with us if had any passion for adventures - She would go with us if she had any passion for adventure
Give me please any of these donuts - Please give me any of these donuts

Derivatives of some any

As for the use of derivatives, everything is quite typical here. Somebody/someone and anybody/anyone are used to express animate objects, while something/anything are used to express inanimate objects. At the same time, there is no difference between somebody and someone (do not confuse these words with the specific pronoun everybody, which translates as “everyone” or “everyone”), while the differences between somebody and anybody lie in the basic principles of some/any. All nouns used after these words are used only in the singular. The pronouns themselves can form the possessive case - somebody's, anybody's.

It is believed that the word no is also considered to be indefinite pronouns, and the differences in the use of some, any and no are quite obvious. However, it is still better to talk about no in the context of negative pronouns, since this word carries a negative connotation.

Features of negative pronouns

Negative pronouns are used to display negative meanings - "no one, nothing ...". As a rule, the basis of all these structures is no and its main derivatives: nobody/no one(for animate) and nothing(for the inanimate).

In addition, such words include: none ("none of", characteristic of the plural), neither ("none of", characteristic of the choice between two objects), directly no, which has the main translation "none, none ... "and differs from the particle not in that no is used in the meaning of adjectives: I have no money - I don't have any money; She had no friends - She didn't have any friends.

Highly important nuance is the fact that there cannot be two negatives within one English sentence. Accordingly, two variants of the same phrase may look like this:

She didn't have any sweets or She had no sweets - She didn't have any sweets

As you can see from these two examples, no is only written when there is no other negation in the sentence. Thus, the pronouns some, any and no have a fairly close relationship, but in which cases the corresponding pronouns are used depends largely on the structure of the sentence.

Use in sayings

Negative and indefinite pronouns can be included in the construction of set expressions and proverbs. These sayings are very popular in the language, and their use will emphasize the speaker's knowledge of traditional lexical phrases. So, proverbs with indefinite pronouns and negative ones can be as follows:

– By doing nothing we learn to do ill – Idleness is the mother of all vices
– To put a spoke in somebody’s wheel
- To know everything is to know nothing - To know everything means not to know anything
- There is no rose without a thorn - There is no rose without thorns
- Nothing is impossible to a willing heart - Nothing is impossible for a loving heart

Thus, the grammatical features of these two categories of pronouns make it necessary to study them closely. The correct use of some any no will allow you to build sentences in English without errors and avoid embarrassing situations caused by the incorrect use of certain constructions. Indefinite and negative pronouns have quite a few features and nuances that are important to keep an eye on.