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:

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:

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.