Determiners and pronouns
1. Some/any + body/thing
Some words can be used both as pronouns and determines. We are going to look at these words.
The following indefinite pronoun combinations are possible:
some any every | + | body one thing where |
Somebody/one, something, somewhere are used in positive sentences or in questions when we expect a ‘yes’ answer.
Anybody/one, anything, anywhere are used in questions and negative sentences.
Everybody/one, everything, everywhere are always followed by a singular verb.
2. One, ones
We use one and ones when we do not want to repeat a countable noun.
‘The one’ is used instead of a countable singular noun:
‘Which car would you like?’ ‘The one with 5 seats.’
‘a + adjective + one’ is used to replace a countable singular noun:
‘I’d like a coffee, please. A strong one.’
‘Ones’ is used instead of a countable plural noun:
‘I like your cakes, especially the ones with cream.’
3. All, most, some
If we talk about general things, we use all/most/some + plural nouns:
All dogs have two legs.
Most flowers are nice.
Some people are rude.
To talk about a concrete group of things or people, we can say all/most/some of + the + noun:
All (of) the dogs in this town are dangerous. (note: ‘of’ is optional with ‘all’)
Some of the students in this school want to go to university.
If we don’t want to repeat the noun, we can use all/most/some + of + it/the/us/you:
‘Where’s the cake?’ ‘Sorry. I ate all of it.’
4. Both, (n)either, none
Both/either/neither + noun refer to two things. Both is followed by a plural noun + plural verb and either/neither are followed by a singular noun + singular verb.
Both girls are very pretty.
Either car is good for me. (= it doesn’t matter which one)
Neither house is big enough. (= none of the two)
We can also say:
Both of the girls or both the girls
Either of the cars
Neither of the houses
Both/either/neither can also stand alone to refer to a noun:
‘Which one do you like?’ ‘Both.’
5. Each and every
Each and every have a similar meaning. But: each looks at things individually and every looks at things collectively.
Each + singular noun (+ singular verb)
Each book is useful. I like each book.
Each + of + plural noun/determiner (+ singular verb)
Each of these books is good. I love each of you.
Every + singular noun (+ singular verb)
Every day is hot. They visited every museum.
Every one + of + the+ plural nouns/determiner (+ singular verb)
Every one of the flats has been sold.
I want to talk to every one of you.
6. Much, many, few, etc.
Study carefully the following table:
countable plural nouns | uncountable nouns | positive sentence | negatives and questions | |
much |
| ✓ |
| ✓ |
many | ✓ |
| ✓ (possible) | ✓ |
little |
| ✓ | ✓ |
|
few | ✓ |
| ✓ |
|
lots, a lot, plenty | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Note the difference in the following constructions:
I have few friends/little time. (= not a lot, negative meaning)
I have a few friends/a little time. (= some, positive meaning)
7. All, whole
Whole means the ‘entire’. All can also mean ‘entire’ or ‘the total available’. Note the difference in the constructions.
the whole day / all day
the whole cake / all the cake
her whole life / all her life
his whole house / all his house
The whole day was a disaster. (=from beginning to end)
We were shopping all day.
He worked hard all his life.
His whole life was dedicated to his children.
