Undefined pronoun: rules and exceptions

An indefinite pronoun refers to an unknown or unknown referent (subject, person) or to its property. These pronouns include: something, something, something, anyone, anyone, anything, someone, etc. They are formed from interrogative pronouns, while prefixes are used for some, and postfixes, , Or something, either. For example, who is someone, someone, someone, someone ; Where - somewhere, anywhere, here and there, anywhere ; How many, some, several, some .

Classification of undetermined pronouns on the basis of reference

So, indefinite pronouns in Russian are divided into:

• Reference - indicate a certain object that exists in reality (something, something, something, someone). In turn, the reference pronouns can be divided into two classes according to the sign of fame or suspense:
  
  1) weakly defined pronouns - used in situations where the speaker is known to the object, but at the same time it is not assumed that he is known to the listener ( one, some, some, something with a value) (for example: I'll tell you one secret);
  
  2) pronouns of the unknown - are used to express the unknown to the speaker (pronouns to-one) (for example: someone came to Ivan).
• Non-referential - point to a non-fixed, non-specific object ( whatever it was, either ), for example: I need to pray for someone.

Pronouns with a prefix of non-

They are: someone, some, some, something. The first pair of pronouns indicates fame, reference for the speaker and an obscurity for the listener. Otherwise they would not be called so: vague pronouns. Proposals with them can be compiled as follows:

• A certain young man, dressed in a white robe, came to my room.
• My teacher, a certain Ivasiuk, a wonderful teacher and a person came into the house.

Also, the pronouns of this series are sometimes used to express the introductory function, that is, to introduce new characters or circumstances at the beginning of the text. For example:

• In some kingdom ...

Something, someone in some cases can express the unknown for the speaker. This means that they will have the meaning of pronouns on something . For example:

• Something white and fluffy runs and jumps in a forest glade.

Pronouns on

An indefinite pronoun is intended to express the unknown and referent to the speaker:

• I listened carefully and realized that there really is someone in the room.

Also, pronouns may not be used in their main meaning, but in the sense of something :

• Someone has to stay on duty today.

In addition, the series can perform the introductory function:

• Some student wrote on the blackboard this absurdity.

Pronouns are on

The value of the non-referential pronoun is determined on the basis of specific semantic features, as well as the types of context in which pronouns are used.

A pronoun implies that one alternative (opportunity) is considered against the background of another. That is, in this case, the context of "withdrawn affirmation" is implied. A background of this kind can arise:

• If there is a situation related to the future;
• If there was a situation-alternative, even referred to the present or past;
• When using the context of distributivity.

So, let's consider all this in more detail. In the first case, an indefinite pronoun will be used for:

• The grammatical future of time (it will necessarily lead to some examples, they will meet somewhere);
• Installation for the future, including requests (Irina wants to go somewhere, Vladimir is looking for something interesting for you, he asks something to write to him);
• For the imperative (except for the context of the verbal act of permission, also for the order) (sing something, tell us some verse, quickly download some film to me);
• Modality of possibility or necessity (it can (call) someone to call; someone will have to be told; someone has to be called);
• Subjunctive mood, payment (it would be good if she brought something to drink, I agree to do something for him);
• To determine the purpose (in order for them to do something, they need money).

In the second case, pronouns are used to express:

• (Not) certainty, presumption (I doubt that she did anything, I do not think that they knew anything about it, it's strange that they find something, it's unlikely that he went somewhere, someone knows her Called, if she had brought something (yesterday));
• Of the question (also for the rhetorical), the interrogative assumption (Has anyone called? Is there anyone else in doubt that this is really so?);
• Disjunction (they took Alena or one of her friends with them);
• Conditions (if they have hidden anything, they will pay for it);
• Epistemic modality (somebody could offend him);
• Negation in subordinating predication (I do not think that they have changed anything).

For the third case, we give examples: each will bring someone with him.

Interrogative pronouns, performing the functions of uncertain

An undefined format may be omitted in some contexts. Let us compare the use of indefinite pronouns in indirect questions and conditional clauses:

Indirect question :

• She thought and thought, and yet she called to find out if she needed anything.
• From the corner of his eye he tried to see if there was anyone next to the car.

Conditional offer :

• If that's possible, they will be happy.
• If anyone comes, light a green lamp.

Undefined pronouns of the expression

In addition to the listed traditional indefinite pronouns, they are also referred to:

• Reduplicated pronouns: where, where, who-who (who's who, but she could not know).
• Pronouns based on indexes that contain formant- something (such-and-such, there, that's why, etc.) (Then and then you can make an attempt on yourself).
• Some words belonging to other parts of speech that perform the function of an indefinite reference: a combination like this or that; Adjectives known, definite; Numeral one.
• Pronominal units with a prepositive component, "amalgams" - pronominal constructions on the basis of spoiling, dunno-type: I do not know who, (not) it is clear that, it is not known when, I do not remember how,
• Pronominal units containing a postpositive component, "quasi-relativistic" - pronominal constructs that contain at the basis of the irrelevant relative subordinate clauses: wherever, as it turns out, anyone that you want, etc.,

Negative and Indefinite Pronouns

At the very beginning, we said that indefinite pronouns are formed from interrogative by means of certain prefixes and postfix. But, apart from them, negative pronouns can also be formed from interrogative ones , only with the help of such prefixes as not -and- not : where - nowhere, how much - not at all, who - nobody, when - never, etc.

In addition, negative and indefinite pronouns have one more common feature: their syntactic and morphological characteristics coincide with those of those from whom they are formed, that is, from interrogative.

Pronouns with negative polarization

There are indefinite pronouns characterized by negative polarization. To them carry: that that also was terminating on -or . In other words, we can say that they gravitate toward the context of negativity. In this case, they can be replaced in some contexts by negative pronouns. For example:

• I did not meet any (indefinite pronoun) resistance in my life's path.

Instead of any, you can use whatever . Also, these pronouns can be replaced by a negative one. Or an example:

• I do not intend to change anything / I do not intend to change anything.

It is worth noting one exception: if the negation is used in the main sentence, then in the subordinate one can use only that either or - or , but not - the negative pronoun. For example:

• It is not known whether this book was ever (but never) finished.

Spelling of negative and indefinite pronouns

It is possible to distinguish such types of rules for writing these pronouns:

• The use of particles is not and neither ;
• Separate and coherent spelling of particles not with nor pronouns;
• Hyphenated pronouns.

So:

• A particle is not written under stress, but neither - without stress (nobody, somebody, nothing, something, some, nothing, nowhere, nowhere, something, nothing).
• If there is no preposition, then the particles need not be written together (no one, several, something, no one, no one, no one), but if it is available separately, the preposition must stand between the particles and pronouns (in no one, To nothing, nothing). Thus, we get a combination of three words.
• The spelling of the indefinite pronouns is that in their composition, the prefix of some , and also the suffixes , is something else-either it is necessary to write through a hyphen.
• Phrases are nothing else (another), like no other (the other), as they are written with the particle not , and separately in the presence of a particle as well as separately in its absence. Pronouns no one and nothing should be written according to general rules, namely: without stress, and also without a preposition, we write a particle and the pronoun is merged (nothing else, no other).
• In the above-mentioned word combinations, opposition can be expressed not only with the help of an alliance, but also a , which must precede these combinations (this story was told to him by his grandfather, and not by someone else). It is worth noting that with these combinations, there will not be another denial in the sentence.
• As for the word combinations none other (other), nothing else (other) , they are used not in opposition, but in a sentence where there is a negation (nothing else is better for you), and very rarely in a sentence where there is no denial (Only he does it , And none other). It is worth noting that the particle neither in these combinations is written with pronouns together.

Apparently, the spelling of negative and indefinite pronouns contains fairly simple rules and some exceptions. Therefore, if you understand this topic well, then there should not be any problems with the correct spelling and use of these pronouns. And for those who study English, indefinite pronouns should not cause any difficulties, since the rules of their use are identical to the rules in Russian.

Examples of rules in English

Consider how the most common indefinite pronouns are used. English refers to them: any, something, someone, somebody, anything, anyone, anybody, etc. So:

• The first pronoun is most often used in sentences with explicit negation, implicit denial, and also in questions;
• The following three are used in the affirmative sentence, in questions suggesting something;
• The last three are used in the negative sentence; In the general matter; In the conditional sentence; In the affirmative and in the negative sentences, if these pronouns are used in the meaning of "anyone, everyone".