Unit 10: Indefinite Pronouns – Chapter 1: Grammar Practice – Starter TOEIC – Third Edition – Building TOEIC Test-taking Skills – Anne Taylor – Casey Malarcher

🎯Target:

✔ Differences and correct usage of BOTH, EITHER, and NEITHER
✔ Choosing between SOME or ANY
✔ Distinction of ANOTHER from THE OTHER
✔ Distinction of MOST OF from MOST

Examples & Categories of Indefinite Pronouns and Their Usage:

Indefinite pronouns refer to people, things, or situations that are unspecified or general.
They include: all, both, every, everything, each, some, somebody, someone, something, any, anybody, anyone, anything, none, either, neither, one, other, another, nothing, most of

a. Referring to the whole (All or everything): all, both, every, everything, each
⏩ All: Refers to the entirety (people or things).
Example: All of the students passed the exam.
⏩ Both: Refers to two things or people together.
Example: Both of them are good at math.
⏩ Every/Everything: Refers to everything or all things.
Example: Everything is ready for the party.

b. Referring to part (Some or someone): some, somebody, someone, something
⏩ Some: Refers to an unspecified quantity.
Example: Some of the apples are fresh.
⏩ Somebody/Someone: Refers to an unspecified person.
Example: Someone left their umbrella here.

c. Referring to none (Nothing or no one): none, neither, nothing, nobody, no one
⏩ None: Refers to zero quantity.
Example: None of the cakes are left.
⏩ Nothing: Refers to the absence of anything.
Example: I have nothing to say.

d. Referring to any (Anyone or anything): any, anybody, anyone, anything
⏩ Any: Refers to any one of a group.
Example: Any of these books can help you.
⏩ Anyone/Anybody: Refers to any person.
Example: Is there anybody at home?

e. Referring to one or another (One or something else): one, other, another
⏩ One: Refers to a single item or person.
Example: One of the children is sick.
⏩ Other: Refers to something different.
Example: You can take the other chair.
⏩ Another: Refers to an additional or different item or person.
Example: I’ll have another cup of tea.

f. Referring to the majority (Most or most of):
⏩ Most of: Refers to the majority of something.
Example: Most of the people agreed with the plan.

↪️ Key Notes:
➡️ Singular or Plural Verbs:
☑️ Every, each, somebody, someone, something, anybody, anyone, anything: Always use singular verbs.
Example: Somebody is at the door.
☑️ All, both, some, none, most: Can take singular or plural verbs depending on the noun they refer to.
Example: All of the water is clean. (water – singular)
All of the books are new. (books – plural)
➡️ Negation: Do not use double negatives.
Example: I have nothing. (Correct)
I don’t have nothing. (Incorrect)

B. Both, Either, Neither

Both, Either, and Neither are used to talk about two people or things, but their meanings and usage differ.

1. Both
“Both” means “two” – it refers to two people/things and implies that both are involved or true.
Structure:
🔅Both + and: Both A and B
🔅Both of + plural noun: (Both of them, both of the cars, etc.)
Examples:
🔸Both John and Mary are coming to the party.
🔸Both of the books are interesting. (Both books are interesting.)

2. Either
“Either” means “one of the two” – it refers to one of the two people/things.
Structure:
🔅Either + or: Either A or B
🔅Either of + plural noun: (Either of them, either of the cars, etc.)
Examples:
🔸You can have either coffee or tea. (You can have coffee or tea.)
🔸Either of the dresses will suit you. (One of the two dresses will suit you.)

3. Neither
“Neither” means “not either one of the two” – it refers to none of the two people/things.
Structure:
🔅Neither + nor: Neither A nor B
🔅Neither of + plural noun: (Neither of them, neither of the cars, etc.)
Examples:
🔸Neither John nor Mary came to the party.
🔸Neither of the options is suitable. (Neither option is suitable.)

📌 Key Notes
➡️ Verb Agreement:
🔹Both takes a plural verb (are, have).
Example: Both of them are good.
🔹Either/Neither takes a singular verb (is, has).
Example: Neither of the books is interesting.
➡️ Either/Neither: These are often used in negative contexts or to make a choice.

C. Some, Any

Some and Any are often used to refer to an unspecified quantity. However, their usage differs depending on the context of the sentence.

1. Some
“Some” refers to an unspecified quantity and is typically used in affirmative sentences and sometimes in questions when an affirmative answer is expected.
➡️ In Affirmative Sentences: Used to refer to an undefined quantity in positive statements.
Examples:
🔸I have some apples in the fridge. (I have a few apples in the fridge.)
🔸She needs some help with her homework. (She needs a bit of help with her homework.)
➡️ In Questions (When expecting a “yes” answer): Used in questions when you expect the listener to respond positively.
Examples:
🔸Would you like some coffee? (Do you want some coffee?)
🔸Can I have some water, please? (May I have a little water, please?)

2. Any
“Any” also refers to an undefined quantity but is generally used in questions and negative sentences.
➡️ In Questions: Used in interrogative sentences to ask about an undefined quantity.
Examples:
🔸Do you have any books about science? (Do you have books about science?)
🔸Is there any milk in the fridge? (Is there some milk in the fridge?)
➡️ In Negative Sentences: Used to indicate that there is none of something.
Examples:
🔸I don’t have any money. (I don’t have any money at all.)
🔸There isn’t any sugar left. (There is no sugar left.)

📌 Important Notes:
➡️ Some in affirmative sentences conveys a positive meaning.
🔸He brought some flowers. (He brought a few flowers.)
➡️ Any in negative sentences conveys a negative or absent meaning.
🔸He didn’t bring any flowers. (He didn’t bring any flowers at all.)

D. One, Another, The Other, The Others

The words One, Another, The Other, and The Others are used to talk about one or more people/things in a group.

1. One / The Other (When there are two items or people)
Used when there are two people or things to distinguish between one of them and the other one.
Usage:
🔅 One: Refers to the first person/thing.
🔅 The other: Refers to the remaining person/thing out of two.
Examples: Of the two pens, one is red and the other is white. (Between two pens, one is red and the other is white.)

2. One / Another / The Other (When there are three items or people)
Used when there are three people or things to distinguish between one, another, and the last one.
Usage:
🔅 One: Refers to the first person/thing.
🔅 Another: Refers to one more person/thing.
🔅 The other: Refers to the remaining person/thing.
Examples: He has three brothers: one is a doctor, another is a professor, and the other is a singer.
(He has three brothers: one is a doctor, another is a professor, and the remaining one is a singer.)

3. One / Another / The Others (When there are more than three items or people)
Used when there are more than three people or things to distinguish between one, another, and all the remaining ones.
Usage:
🔅 One: Refers to the first person/thing.
🔅 Another: Refers to one more person/thing in the group.
🔅 The others: Refers to all the remaining people/things.
Examples: We have five dogs: one is from Scotland, another is from Germany, and the others are from Spain.
(We have five dogs: one is from Scotland, another is from Germany, and the remaining ones are from Spain.)

4. Most of vs. Most
Most of and Most are both used to talk about a large quantity or majority of people or things.
➡️ Most of: Use when referring to a clearly identified group.
Example: Most of the cats in this house are friendly. (This refers to a specific group of cats in the house.)
➡️ Most: Use when the group is not specific.
Example: Most cats are independent. (This refers to cats in general.)

4.2. Most (General, Non-specific)
Use Most to refer to people or things in general, not specific groups.
Usage: Most + plural noun (without any determiner).
Examples:
🔸Most people love music. (This refers to people in general, not a specific group.)
🔸Most children enjoy playing games. (This refers to children in general, not a particular group.)

4.1. Most of (Specific)
Use Most of to refer to a specific group of people or things that has already been identified.
Usage: Most of + determiner (the/my/these…) + plural noun
Examples:
🔸Most of the students in this class are freshmen. (Refers to a specific group: “the students in this class.”)
🔸Most of my friends live nearby. (Refers to a specific group: “my friends.”)
🔸Most of these apples are ripe. (Refers to a specific group: “these apples.”)