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Grammar 3

This document discusses the use of indefinite pronouns like "there", "it", "someone", "anywhere", and "everything". It explains that "there" and "it" can be used to introduce information or indicate that something exists. It also discusses using "all", "most", "some", and "no/none" to talk about things in a specific group. Finally, it covers how to use pronouns like "each", "every", "both", "either", "neither" to link or compare two ideas.

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Anh Nguyen
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
38 views5 pages

Grammar 3

This document discusses the use of indefinite pronouns like "there", "it", "someone", "anywhere", and "everything". It explains that "there" and "it" can be used to introduce information or indicate that something exists. It also discusses using "all", "most", "some", and "no/none" to talk about things in a specific group. Finally, it covers how to use pronouns like "each", "every", "both", "either", "neither" to link or compare two ideas.

Uploaded by

Anh Nguyen
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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23 there, it, and indefinite pronouns

There and it

1 we can start a sentence with There or It + be

There’s a flight at eleven. Is that a good time?

It was nice to see Ben looking happier.

Note that, as in some examples below, we can puy a modal verb ( or seems, appears, happens) before
be.

There + (adjective) + noun ( all tenses) introduces something, or says that it ‘exists’ :

There’s a good film on TV tonight. It’s a good film on TV … A good film is on TV…

There seems to be a problem with this CD.

We often use it with words like some(thing), any, nothing, much, more, many, enough, a lot of:

There weren’t enough eggs for an omelette.

There could be some delays on the roads today.

We use It + adjective or (adjective)+ nuon for time, weather,distance, general situation:

It’s a hundred miles at least to Bristol.

It was nice in Italy this summer, wasn’t it?

and with infinitive ,-ing and that-clauses:

It would be good to see Harry again.

It’s funny looking at old photos of yourself.

It’s a pity (that) you didn’t bring your camera.

A number of negative expressions use there or it:

There’s no sense/point in waiting.

There’s no need to worry about me.

It’s no good/no use/no worth hurrying.

It’s waste of time arguing with him.

Note that we often begin a sentence with There and use it afterwards:

There’s a play I’d like to see. It’s about a doctor, and it’s set in Poland.

2 This, these, that, those


We use this/these to talk about things that are close to us (in distance and time), and that/those for
things that are further away:

This milk smells bad. When did you buy it?

Do you remember those holidays we spent in Cornwall when we were kids?

3 All, most, some, no/none

We can use these words to talk generally;

All children need exercise.

Most restaurant have vegetarian menus.

Some hotel have gyms.

but we normally use them to talk about things in a specific group/place:

All(of) the sandwiches in the shop were made ….. and most of the food is home-cooked – but some …..
the cakes contain nuts.

None of our chesses are availble anywhere elese.

Note that no is used specifically;

There are no eggs left.

and occasionally generally:

No teacher is always right.

and that none can be used on its own:

There are none left.

Note also how we use all with pronoun:

Tim ate all of them/them all.

Other uses of all:

meaning ‘everything/the only thing’:

She gave me all (that) I needed

All I want is a rest!

as a mid-position adverb:

They’re all talented actors.

in expression: all afternoon, all right/alright, above all, after all, at all:

I’m not at happy with the service in this restaurant.


We use that to talk about something we and the listener are familiar with:

I can’t find that book on Italy.

Grammar in action

1 We use There + be to introduce information, or to ……. That something exists. We might talk about our
town.

There’s a new restaurant on Clyde Street. – Really?

There are six already, aren’t there?

2 We use It + adjective/noun to talk about time, weather, distance, and a trip:

It’s lovely in Scotland at this time of year,but it’s …… a long way to drive.

3 We use all,most, some, and no/none to talk about the things in a particular place or group. We
might…. about a language school:

Some of our staff are part-time, but all of them are experienced teachers.

There, it, and indefinite pronouns


Someone, anywhere, etc.; each, every;both, either, neither
4 we can combine some-, any-, no- and every- with -one/body, -where, and -thing to make someone,
anybody, nowhere, everything, etc.

Words beginning with some- an any- are used in the same way as some and any:

some = positive sentences; question expecting the answer ‘yes’

any = negative sentences,’open questions’ and the idea ‘ it doesn’t matter which’:

Let’s have something unusual* for dinner.

Would you like someone to go with you?

I can’t see anyone here. Are we early?

Have you been anywhere interesting*?

Anybody could beat you at tennis.

*Note in these examples how we can use an adjective after these word. Note also below how
they take a singular verb – but normally a plural pronoun afterwards:
Everyone is ready, aren’t they?
No one likes being criticized,do they?
If anybody rings, tell them I’m out!

5 Each and every are similar in meaning:

Each/Every time I hear that song, I think about our holiday in Greece.
but each (= two or more) emphasizes individual things, where every (= three or more) makes us think of
the group:

Every café in the street was busy, and each one sold a different type of local food.

 We use each of; each on its own; each as a mid-position adverb, and for prices:
She gave each every of us a small gift.
Look at those houses! Each Every is a different colour.
The children have each got their own bedroom
The teddy bears cost f20 each.
 We also use every + one of; and in expressions(often with time):
There’s only one prize but every one of you is a…..
I visit them every two weeks.(= every fortnight)
It’s rained every single day here!
6 We use both(… and), either(… or) and neither(… nor) to link two ideas, either as ‘pairs’:
Both Chris and Barry play rugby every week.
We can either stay in, or go out for a walk.
Neither Joy nor Sally enjoy(s) shopping.
Or, more often, on their own:
Both of us like jazz.
Both ( of the) films were awful.
We both prefer quieter holidays.
Coffee or tea?- neither, thanks.
I don’t like either of these (paintings).
Do/Does either of you want to come to the shop?
GRAMMAR IN ACTION
4 We use something, anybody, nowhere,etc. all the time in everday conversation.
Here we’re talking about a family celebration:
Have you forgotten to invite anyone?-
Relax. Everything is ready for the big day.
5 We use each to emphasize individual things, and every to talk about groups and regular
events. We might talk about a concert:
Every time she sings, she turns each song into a different story!
6 We use both…and, either…or, and neither…nor compare people and experiences. Here we’re
talking about work:
We both enjoy living in the country, but neither of ….. likes commuting every day.

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