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Indefinite Pronouns – Quiz 1
Indefinite Pronouns Quiz 1 (30 MCQs)
This multiple-choice question set evaluates students' understanding of indefinite pronouns, their usage in various contexts, and the agreement between subject and verb. It covers topics such as gender inclusivity, possessive pronoun agreement, present perfect tense, and third-person singular indefinite pronoun usage.
Quiz Instructions
Select an option to see the correct answer instantly.
1.
Antecedent-Indefinite Pronoun:Each of the suspects had (his, their) own alibi.
A) His.
B) Their.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "Each of the suspects had (his, their) own alibi" uses an indefinite pronoun to refer to each individual suspect. The correct choice is
their
, as it agrees with the plural subject "suspects." Using "his" would be incorrect because it implies a singular male subject.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. "His" does not agree with the plural subject "suspects."
Option B:
Correct. "Their" agrees with the plural subject and is appropriate for both singular and plural subjects.
Option C:
Incorrect. This option suggests all choices are correct, which is false in this case.
Option D:
Incorrect. The sentence can be corrected using "their."
2.
ANYONE ..... WANTS TO SEE THE FILM STAND UP.
A) THAT WANT.
B) THAT WANTS.
C) WHO WANTS.
D) WHO WANT.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option C) WHO WANTS is correct because "who" is an indefinite pronoun used to refer to a person, and in this context, it properly introduces the clause that modifies "ANYONE." The subject-verb agreement also supports this choice as "who wants" agrees with the singular "anyone."
Option Analysis:
Option A:
That Want - Incorrect. "That" is not appropriate for referring to a person in this context.
Option B:
That Wants - Incorrect. While grammatically correct, it does not use an indefinite pronoun as required by the question's focus on "Indefinite Pronouns."
Option C:
Who Wants - Correct. Uses the appropriate indefinite pronoun and subject-verb agreement.
Option D:
Who Want - Incorrect. The verb should agree with the singular subject "anyone," hence "wants" is correct, not "want."
3.
I put my glasses ..... in my office but I can't remember exactly where.
A) Anywhere.
B) Somewhere.
C) Nowhere.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
"Somewhere" is the correct answer because it indicates an unspecified location where the glasses were placed in the office, which aligns with the context of not remembering exactly where they are.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
"Anywhere" suggests a random or indefinite place without specifying that the glasses were indeed put somewhere. This doesn't fit the context as well as "somewhere."
Option B:
"Somewhere" correctly indicates an unspecified location where the glasses were placed, matching the scenario of not remembering exactly where they are.
Option C:
"Nowhere" implies that the glasses are not in any place, which contradicts the statement that they were put somewhere in the office.
Option D:
"None of the above" is incorrect since option B correctly fits the context.
4.
CHOOSE THE BEST OPTIONShe didn't tell ..... the truth about her boyfriend.
A) Anybody.
B) Anything.
C) Anywhere.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence requires an indefinite pronoun that refers to people, as the context is about someone not telling the truth to others regarding her boyfriend. "Anybody" fits this requirement because it means any person and can be used in a negative statement like this one.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "Anybody" refers to people, making it suitable for the context.
Option B:
Incorrect. "Anything" is used for non-human objects or abstract concepts, not people.
Option C:
Incorrect. "Anywhere" is used for locations, not people.
Option D:
Incorrect. At least one option (A) is correct.
5.
Does anyone have ..... own flashlight?
A) Her.
B) Their.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "Does anyone have ..... own flashlight?" requires an indefinite pronoun that can refer to a single person of unspecified gender. The correct answer is
A) Her.
This pronoun fits the context as it can be used for any female individual, making the sentence grammatically and logically sound.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "Her" refers to a female person, fitting the indefinite nature of the pronoun in this context.
Option B:
Incorrect. "Their" is a plural possessive pronoun and does not fit the singular subject implied by "anyone."
Option C:
Incorrect. This option suggests all the above, which includes an incorrect answer (B), making it invalid.
Option D:
Incorrect. There is a correct answer among the options provided.
6.
To avoid a double negative, which word best completes this sentence? 'After checking my pockets, I saw that I didn't have ..... money for the bus.'
A) No.
B) None.
C) Any.
D) Nothing.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "After checking my pockets, I saw that I didn't have
any
money for the bus" is correct because it uses an indefinite pronoun "any," which properly negates a plural or uncountable noun. This choice avoids a double negative and clearly conveys that no amount of money was found.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
"No" would be grammatically correct but does not fit the context as well as "any." It could imply a specific absence rather than any quantity.
Option B:
"None" is also correct in some contexts, but it typically refers to a complete lack of something and might sound slightly more formal or specific here.
Option C:
"Any" is the best choice as it fits naturally with the context and avoids ambiguity.
Option D:
"Nothing" could work but sounds less natural in this sentence compared to "any." It might imply a complete absence of any item, not just money for the bus.
7.
What's that smell?-I think ..... is burning.
A) Something.
B) Anything.
C) Everything.
D) Nothing.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option A) Something is correct because "something" is an indefinite pronoun that refers to a particular but unspecified thing, which fits the context of smelling something burning. The other options are incorrect: "anything" implies any possible thing, "everything" suggests all things, and "nothing" means no thing at all, none of which fit the scenario described.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Refers to a particular but unspecified burning object, fitting the context.
Option B:
Implies any possible burning object, which is too broad and not specific enough.
Option C:
Suggests all objects are burning, which is an overgeneralization.
Option D:
Indicates no object is burning, contradicting the question's premise.
8.
Was ..... at home when you knocked on the door?
A) Anyone.
B) No one.
C) Somebody.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "Was ... at home when you knocked on the door?" is asking about who was present at home during a specific time (when the door was knocked). The correct answer is A) Anyone, because it allows for any person or people to have been at home. This indefinite pronoun fits well in the context of an open-ended question where multiple possibilities are considered.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "Anyone" can refer to one or more unspecified individuals who could have been at home.
Option B:
Incorrect. "No one" means nobody was there, which contradicts the possibility of someone being present.
Option C:
Incorrect. "Somebody" implies a specific person, but the question is open-ended and could include multiple people or none at all.
Option D:
Incorrect. This option suggests that none of the above are correct, which is not true since Option A is valid.
9.
Choose the option that contains the correct pronoun and antecedent for the following sentence: "My friends assured me that (they/he) would attend the party.
A) Pronoun He. Antecedent:Party.
B) Pronoun:He Antecedent:Friends.
C) Pronoun:They. Antecedent:Friends.
D) Pronoun They:Antecedent:Party.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is C) Pronoun:They. Antecedent:Friends. The pronoun "they" agrees in number with the plural antecedent "friends." In this sentence, "friends" refers to multiple people who assured the speaker that they would attend the party.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect because "he" is singular and does not match the plural subject "friends."
Option B:
Incorrect because "he" refers to a single person, while "friends" is plural.
Option C:
Correct as explained above.
Option D:
Incorrect because it incorrectly swaps the pronoun and antecedent relationship.
10.
Don't blame yourself for a mistake ..... is perfect!
A) Somebody.
B) Everybody.
C) Nobody.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "Don't blame yourself for a mistake..... is perfect!" uses the indefinite pronoun "nobody" to convey that no one should be blamed, including oneself. This fits grammatically and contextually with the statement's meaning.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Somebody - Incorrect as it implies someone should be blamed.
Option B:
Everybody - Incorrect as it contradicts the idea of not blaming anyone.
Option C:
Nobody - Correct, aligns with the statement's meaning that no one should blame themselves or others for a mistake.
Option D:
None of the above - Incorrect since "nobody" is correct.
11.
Any of those teams ..... a chance to make the tournament.
A) Has.
B) Have.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The indefinite pronoun "any" is used here, which typically requires the plural verb form when referring to more than one team. Therefore, "Have" (Option B) is correct as it agrees with the plural subject "teams."
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect; singular verb does not match plural subject.
Option B:
Correct; matches plural subject and indefinite pronoun usage.
Option C:
Incorrect; "All the above" is not applicable since only one option (B) is correct.
Option D:
Incorrect; there is a correct answer among the options provided.
12.
..... can see through the walls. It's a superpower, we humans don't have it.
A) Someone.
B) Everyone.
C) Anyone.
D) No one.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "..... can see through the walls. It's a superpower, we humans don't have it." is discussing an ability that no human possesses. The indefinite pronoun "no one" correctly conveys this meaning.
Option A (Someone) implies at least one person has this ability.
Option B (Everyone) suggests all people have this ability.
Option C (Anyone) means any individual could potentially have the ability, but not necessarily does.
Option D (No one) accurately states that no human can perform this action.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. Implies at least one person has the ability.
Option B:
Incorrect. Suggests all people have the ability, which is false.
Option C:
Incorrect. Means any individual could potentially have it but not necessarily does.
Option D:
Correct. States that no human can perform this action accurately.
13.
Select the indefinite pronoun that fits the blank. A teacher is reporting the attendance of students . Many came to class ..... decided to stay home.
A) Other students.
B) Others.
C) Several students.
D) Somewhere.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
B) Others.
"Others" refers to a group of people not previously mentioned, which fits the context of students who decided to stay home while many came to class. This pronoun maintains grammatical agreement and clarity in the sentence.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
"Other students" is less concise than "Others." While it could work, "Others" is more appropriate here.
Option B:
Correct. "Others" refers to a group not previously mentioned and fits the context perfectly.
Option C:
"Several students" implies a specific number (more than one but fewer than all), which doesn't fit as well with the indefinite nature of the sentence.
Option D:
"Somewhere" is a place, not a person or group, and thus does not make sense in this context.
14.
..... wants to be late to class.
A) Nothing.
B) Nobody.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option B is correct because "Nobody" is an indefinite pronoun that refers to a non-existent person, which fits the context of wanting to be late to class without specifying any particular individual.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Nothing - This option does not fit as it implies no one wants to be late, contradicting the statement.
Option B:
Nobody - Correct. It is an indefinite pronoun that can refer to a non-existent person wanting to be late.
Option C:
All the above - Incorrect as it includes options A and D which are not correct.
Option D:
None of the above - Incorrect as Option B is correct.
15.
I felt ..... brush past me but when I turned around I saw .....
A) Anything, something.
B) Nothing, anything.
C) Something, nothing.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option C is correct because "something" fits grammatically and contextually as an indefinite pronoun for the first blank, indicating that you felt something brush past you. The second blank uses "nothing," which logically follows since when you turned around, there was no visible object or person.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect; "anything" does not fit the context of feeling something and then seeing nothing.
Option B:
Incorrect; "nothing" cannot precede "brush past me." The sequence should be an object or entity first, followed by its action.
Option C:
Correct as explained above.
Option D:
Not applicable since option C is correct.
16.
Complete the sentence so the pronouns agree correctly:Neither of the boys forgot to do ..... chores.
A) Her.
B) They.
C) His.
D) Their.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
C) His.
The pronoun "His" agrees with the plural subject "the boys." Since both boys are performing the action (forgetting to do chores), a singular possessive pronoun "his" is used, indicating that the chores belong to them collectively.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. "Her" refers to feminine gender and does not agree with the plural subject.
Option B:
Incorrect. "They" is a subject pronoun, not an object pronoun that would correctly follow the preposition "to."
Option C:
Correct. "His" agrees with the plural subject and indicates possession of chores by both boys.
Option D:
Incorrect. "Their" is a possessive adjective, not a pronoun that would correctly follow the preposition "to."
17.
Can I get you ..... to drink?
A) Nothing.
B) Something.
C) Anyone.
D) Anything.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "Can I get you..... to drink?" is an invitation, and the indefinite pronoun used here should refer to something that can be consumed. "Something" (Option B) fits this context as it refers to a drinkable item.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Nothing - This option does not make sense in the context of an invitation to drink.
Option B:
Something - Correct. It logically completes the sentence by asking for a drinkable item.
Option C:
Anyone - This is incorrect as it refers to a person, not a drinkable object.
Option D:
Anything - While grammatically correct, "anything" implies an open-ended request that could include non-drinkable items, making it less specific and appropriate for this context.
18.
Identify the correct pronoun for the sentence:'Somebody left ..... umbrella in the hallway.'
A) Its.
B) His.
C) Their.
D) His or her.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct pronoun in the sentence "Somebody left ..... umbrella in the hallway." is
his or her (D)
. This indefinite pronoun must be gender-neutral to cover all possible scenarios, hence the inclusive form "his or her" is used.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Its - Incorrect. "Its" is a possessive pronoun and does not fit in this context.
Option B:
His - Incorrect. It only covers male gender, which may exclude female or non-binary individuals.
Option C:
Their - While commonly used, it can sometimes be seen as grammatically incorrect by traditional standards due to the singular "umbrella." However, in modern usage and for inclusivity, "their" is widely accepted.
Option D:
His or her - Correct. This form ensures that all possible genders are included, making it the most appropriate choice.
19.
He heard ..... moving around in the trees.
A) Something.
B) Somewhere.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option A is correct because "Something" is an indefinite pronoun that refers to a person, animal, thing, or idea without specifying which one. In the sentence, "He heard something moving around in the trees," "something" appropriately fills the gap as it indicates an unspecified object making noise.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "Something" is an indefinite pronoun that fits grammatically and contextually.
Option B:
Incorrect. "Somewhere" is a place adverb, not an indefinite pronoun.
Option C:
Incorrect. "All the above" would be correct if both A and B were valid options, but only A fits here.
Option D:
Incorrect. The sentence works with "something," making this option invalid.
20.
Choose the right option:Hotels here are crowded. There's ..... to stay.
A) Everywhere.
B) Nowhere.
C) Anywhere.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "Hotels here are crowded. There's ..... to stay." indicates a situation where there is no available place for someone to stay due to the overcrowded condition of hotels. The correct indefinite pronoun that fits this context is "nowhere," as it conveys the idea of an absence or lack of any suitable place.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Everywhere - This option suggests availability everywhere, which contradicts the crowded condition.
Option B:
Nowhere - This correctly indicates that there is no available place to stay due to overcrowding.
Option C:
Anywhere - This implies a possibility of staying somewhere, but it does not accurately reflect the lack of availability in this context.
Option D:
None of the above - This is incorrect since "nowhere" fits the context perfectly.
21.
Can ..... speak Russian here? There is a woman from Russia on the phone!
A) Anybody.
B) Everybody.
C) Nobody.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option A "Anybody" is correct because it indicates that one or more people can speak Russian, which aligns with the statement about a woman from Russia on the phone. Indefinite pronouns like "anybody" are used to refer to an unspecified person or people.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "Anybody" refers to one or more unspecified individuals who can speak Russian.
Option B:
Incorrect. "Everybody" implies all people, which is not the case here as only a woman from Russia is mentioned.
Option C:
Incorrect. "Nobody" means no one, contradicting the presence of a Russian woman on the phone.
Option D:
Incorrect. This option suggests none of the above are correct, but Option A is valid.
22.
Which sentence is the clearest and avoids a vague pronoun reference?
A) Someone left a backpack, and they should get it.
B) Everybody was there, and it was fun.
C) Few of the students finished the test, but most found it difficult.
D) After talking to the teachers, they were happy.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option C is the clearest and avoids vague pronoun reference. The sentence "Few of the students finished the test, but most found it difficult" does not use any indefinite pronouns that could be ambiguous about their antecedents.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Uses "they," which is unclear as to who they are referring to.
Option B:
No vague pronoun reference, but the sentence structure can imply that "it" could refer to either "everybody" or "being there." However, it's less ambiguous than Option A.
Option C:
Clear and direct; no indefinite pronouns are used.
Option D:
Uses "they," which is unclear as to who they refer to.
23.
..... broke the window.
A) Somewhere.
B) Something.
C) Someone.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "..... broke the window." requires an indefinite pronoun that refers to a person who performed the action. The correct answer is
C) Someone.
This indefinite pronoun indicates an unspecified person, which fits the context of the sentence.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
"Somewhere" is an indefinite adjective and does not fit as it refers to a place, not a person.
Option B:
"Something" is also an indefinite pronoun but it typically refers to objects or things, not people.
Option C:
"Someone" correctly identifies the subject of the sentence as an unspecified person who broke the window.
Option D:
This option suggests none of the above are correct, but since "someone" fits the context, this is incorrect.
24.
Choose the pronoun that best finishes the sentence:Someone canceled ..... subscription.
A) His.
B) Their.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "Someone canceled ... subscription" requires a pronoun that can refer to any person, as indicated by the indefinite pronoun "someone." The correct answer is
A) His.
This pronoun can be used to indicate a male or gender-neutral subject in this context.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "His" can refer to any person, making it suitable for the indefinite pronoun "someone."
Option B:
Incorrect. "Their" is a gender-neutral possessive pronoun but does not fit grammatically in this context as well as "his."
Option C:
Incorrect. This option suggests all the above, which is not true since "their" is incorrect.
Option D:
Incorrect. There is a correct answer among the options provided.
25.
He gets mad so easily ..... I say makes him angry.
A) Everything.
B) Everywhere.
C) Everyone.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "He gets mad so easily..... I say makes him angry" uses the indefinite pronoun "him," which is implied but not directly stated. The correct answer, Option A) Everything, suggests that the subject (he) can be replaced with "everything" without changing the meaning of the sentence. This indicates a universal application of his anger or tendency to get mad.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "Everything" can replace "him" and maintain the original meaning, showing that he gets angry in every situation.
Option B:
Incorrect. "Everywhere" refers to a location, not a person or his actions.
Option C:
Incorrect. "Everyone" would imply multiple people, which is not the case here.
Option D:
Incorrect. This option suggests none of the above are correct, but Option A is valid.
26.
Which sentence best revises this one for clarity and pronoun agreement:'Every student should turn in his report by Friday.'
A) Every student should turn in his or her report by Friday.
B) Every student should turn in their report by Friday.
C) All students should turn in his report by Friday.
D) Every student should turn in the report by Friday.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option B correctly uses "their" to maintain agreement with the indefinite pronoun "Every student," which refers to a group that includes both genders. This revision ensures clarity and grammatical correctness.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
While it corrects gender bias, "his or her" is redundant and less concise.
Option B:
Correctly uses "their" to maintain agreement with the indefinite pronoun "Every student."
Option C:
Incorrect as "All students" does not agree in number with "his."
Option D:
Loses clarity by omitting the personal pronoun, making it less specific.
27.
Pronoun-Indefinite Pronoun Antecedent:Everyone turned in (his or her, their) research papers to Dr. Massey.
A) His or her.
B) Their.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "Everyone turned in (his or her, their) research papers to Dr. Massey" uses the indefinite pronoun "everyone," which refers to a group of people where each member is considered individually. Therefore, the appropriate pronoun should agree with this singular and individual reference, making "his or her" correct.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Agrees with the indefinite pronoun "everyone," which refers to individuals.
Option B:
Incorrect. "Their" is plural and does not agree with "everyone."
Option C:
Incorrect. Both options should be considered, but only "his or her" correctly matches the indefinite pronoun's singular and individual nature.
Option D:
Incorrect. There is a correct answer among the given options.
28.
I don't know ..... in that class.
A) Anybody.
B) Anything.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "I don't know ... in that class." requires an indefinite pronoun to indicate a lack of knowledge about something or someone unspecified. The correct choice is
Option B) Anything.
This pronoun fits grammatically and contextually, as it can refer to both people (anyone) and things (anything). "Anybody" would be more appropriate if the sentence were specifically about people.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. "Anybody" is a specific pronoun referring only to people, not suitable for indicating an unspecified thing or idea.
Option B:
Correct. "Anything" can refer to both people and things, making it appropriate in this context of general lack of knowledge.
Option C:
Incorrect. This option is redundant as it includes both A and B, neither of which are correct for the given sentence structure.
Option D:
Incorrect. There is a correct answer among the options provided.
29.
Choose the best word to complete each sentence.My home town is the same as it was twenty years ago; nothing ..... changed!
A) Has.
B) Hasn't.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "My home town is the same as it was twenty years ago; nothing
has
changed!" uses an indefinite pronoun correctly in the context of a present perfect construction, which refers to actions or states that started in the past and continue up to now. Here, "nothing has" indicates that no changes have occurred from the past until now.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Uses proper indefinite pronoun with present perfect tense.
Option B:
Incorrect. "Hasn't" would imply a negative form, which is not needed in this context.
Option C:
Incorrect. "All the above" is incorrect because only one option (A) is correct.
Option D:
Incorrect. There is a correct answer among the options provided.
30.
Ouch! There's ..... in my eye.
A) Something.
B) Everything.
C) Anything.
D) Nothing.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "Ouch! There's..... in my eye." requires an indefinite pronoun that indicates the presence of something unspecified but real. "Something" (Option A) is correct because it accurately conveys that there is a tangible object or substance in the speaker’s eye, even though its exact nature is unknown.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Indicates the presence of an unspecified but real object.
Option B:
Incorrect. "Everything" implies all things, which does not fit the context of a single unspecified item in the eye.
Option C:
Incorrect. "Anything" suggests that anything could be there, including imaginary or hypothetical scenarios, which is not appropriate for describing an actual physical sensation.
Option D:
Incorrect. "Nothing" implies a lack of any object, which contradicts the pain experienced by the speaker.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are indefinite pronouns?
Indefinite pronouns refer to people or things that are not specific or particular. Examples include 'everyone,' 'someone,' and 'no one.'
How do indefinite pronouns affect subject-verb agreement?
Indefinite pronouns can change the verb form to match their singular or plural nature. For example, 'everyone' takes a singular verb, while 'some people' takes a plural verb.
Can indefinite pronouns refer to people?
Yes, some indefinite pronouns can refer to people. Examples include 'anyone,' 'everyone,' and 'someone.' However, they are not used for specific individuals.
How do you use indefinite pronouns with the present perfect tense?
Indefinite pronouns can be used with the present perfect tense to indicate an action that started in the past and continues into the present. For example, 'Someone has eaten the last cookie.'
What is the role of 'his' or 'her' with indefinite pronouns?
In some cases, 'his' or 'her' can be used to specify gender when an indefinite pronoun does not clearly indicate a specific gender. However, it's often unnecessary and can be omitted for clarity.