Lesson 117 👩‍🏫 Basic English with Jennifer - Indefinite Pronouns

Hi everyone. I'm Jennifer from English with Jennifer.

Do you want to know something about me?

I enjoy games. Sometimes I play games with students to help them learn English. Would you like to try?

You can study with my students, Flavia and Andreia.

How are you today? Good. And you? Not bad. How are you? Good. Yeah?

I brought something: a tissue box. Tissue? Tissue box. A tissue box. Mm-hmm.

And when I bought the box, it was full of tissues. It was full.

Now there are no tissues. It's...empty. Empty. Full and empty.

Okay. There are no tissues. Do you think anything is in the box? Is anything in the box?

I don't know. Maybe. Maybe. How can we find out?

Ah! Something is in the box.

Something. Something. So I asked, "Is anything in the box?"

Say, "I don't know."

Something is in the box.

Don't look. Put your hand in. Take one thing and guess.

What do you think it is?

Don't look. Did you find something? Yes. Okay.

Oh! No, you can show us.

Uh. Do you know what that is? I don't know.

Where do you find it? In the ocean?

In the ocean or...? Beach. At the beach.

You can say, "At the beach." Actually, on the beach. Right? You look and you see it on the sand. Mm-hm.

On the sand, on the beach. And...it's a seashell. Seashell. Yeah. It's a seashell.

When I was a child, I have...I had them...I had them.

You collected them? Yes. Yeah. So, when I was a child, I collected...when I was child, I collected seashells.

Yeah. I think many people collect seashells because they're so pretty. My daughter found that one.

Yeah. We were walking on the beach, and she found it.

There's something in the box. Okay. Find something. Did you find something? Uh-huh.

What is it? A ring. A ring. This is a gold ring. What's this? Plastic. It's a plastic ring.

It's a plastic ring. We live here in New England, so this is a plastic ring for football. The New England Patriots.

You found something? Yes. Do you know what it is? I think so. Do you know the name? A lamp?

I don't know. What does it do? Have a light.

Oh. It gives light. Do you know what it is? I don't know. Lantern? Let's pull it out. Not a lantern. Ah!

It's a little flashlight. Little flash? It's a little flashlight. Flashlight.

Our phones have flashlights. Right? We can turn our lights on with our phone. So, this is a little flashlight. And look.

So, it's also something else. What can I put it on? Key. With a key. It's also like a key chain. Whoops.

Key chain. Mm-hmm. It's a keychain. A key chain with a flashlight.

Um, this is plastic. Paper. What is this made of? Metal? Metal.

Metal. So, when we talk about what things are made of, they can be made of paper, plastic, metal... Some things are made of shells. Like shell jewelry. Shell bowls. Right?

So different materials. Okay. Seashell. Plastic ring. Flashlight. Is there anything still in the box? Yes. There's something.

Did you find something? Uh-huh. What is it? An elastic? For the hair? For your hair? No? No. Okay.

Ah, different. A rubber band. Yeah. Right? It's like an elastic, but it's a rubber band. This would hurt our hair. Yes. Yeah. You could if you wanted to, but...

This is for like pencils, boxes. Okay. Yeah. And we're talking about materials: metal, plastic, shell, paper...

What's it called? What's the name? Rubber band. It's made of rubber. Rubber. That's the material. Oh. Rubber. Right?

Okay. Is there anything in the box? No, it's...empty. It was full. Now it's empty. We took everything out, and now there's nothing.

There's nothing in there. So, think about those words that I just used. First, I asked. Is there anything in the box? Anything?

When I'm asking about anything, I don't know. Maybe yes. Maybe no. Is there a tissue, a seashell, a spider? What's in there? Anything?

Then we shake. Ah, there's something. I don't know what, but there's something. And that's the difference. Right?

"Anything" is like anything is possible. Lots of things are possible.

"Something" -- I'm sure. I don't know what. I don't know what it is, but there's something.

When I have an idea that, yes, there's a thing in there, but I don't know the name, it's something. Something.

And now everything is on the table. Mmm.

"Everything" is each thing. All these things are on the table. The box is empty. What's inside?

Nothing. Nothing is inside. "Nothing" is our negative word. There's nothing.

We can say, "There's nothing in the box." Or, "There isn't anything." There isn't anything in there.

So, "nothing" is a negative word. We can make "anything" negative with "not." So, I can say, "There's nothing in there. There's nothing. Absolutely nothing"

Or, "There isn't anything in there." It doesn't matter. "Nothing" can be a little stronger. There's nothing in there. But it's also fine to say, "There isn't anything in there." It's okay.

So, we use "anything" with questions: Is there anything in there? And with negatives: There isn't anything in there.

"Nothing" is always negative. "Something" -- I have an idea, but I don't know specifics. Right? "Everything" -- all these things.

So, your pockets are empty. There isn't anything in my pockets. I usually have tissues or something in my pockets. Do you have pockets? Yes.

Do you have anything in your pockets? No. Also empty. I always have tissues, eyedrops, something in my pocket.

How about in my coat pockets? I always have things in my coat pockets. Yes. There's always something. I have, like, tissues, papers... Yeah.

Key. Ah. You carry your keys? Cell phone. Mmm. Yeah. Me too. Same thing? Okay.

Pronouns replace nouns. Flavia and Andreia are from Brazil. They are lovely ladies. Do you see the pronoun?

They. "They" is a subject pronoun. In this lesson, we'll talk about other pronouns -- pronouns we can use when we aren't sure or

or we can't name things or people. These are indefinite pronouns. Examples include: something, anything, everything, nothing.

All those pronouns are for things. Do you understand how to use them? Let's see. Choose the correct pronouns to complete the sentences.

One. I need a pen or a pencil. I don't have anything. Look in my briefcase. I'm sure I have something. I found a pen. Thanks!

Two. Are we finished with all our work? Yes, we did everything.

Three. Did I leave my phone on the table? No, there's nothing there.

Okay. Let's practice indefinite pronouns for people.

Someone is eating noodles. Right? I see chopsticks. I see the plate. Someone is eating noodles. I don't know who, but someone is.

So, just like we had "something" -- something is in the box.

Someone. Someone is eating noodles. I think someone is at a restaurant, and someone ordered noodles. And someone is going to eat...I think they look like Asian noodles. I don't know what kind. It looks nice. Okay?

What do you see? What is someone doing or going to do?

Someone is painting. Someone is painting. Yeah. Someone is an artist, and someone is going to paint. They're going to use paints and...

It's the same thing. What do we do to our hair? Brush? Brush. Those are also brushes. Brush? Yeah. Brushes. Paints and brushes. Yeah.

Someone is took...taking a shower. Someone is taking a shower. Somebody is taking a shower. Right. We don' t know because in these pictures, we don't see anybody.

And we don't know who these people are, so we use "someone." In conversation, we can use "someone" or...What else do you hear?

Somebody. Same thing. Right? But "somebody" is more relaxed and for conversation. Somebody is taking a shower. Someone is taking a shower.

It's doesn't matter, but "somebody" is more for conversation. In a relaxed, casual, informal kind of conversation. Somebody is taking a shower. I don't know who.

"Anyone" opens all the possibilities. For example, in a question, "Is anyone home?" Maybe yes. Maybe no. "Anyone? Anyone? Hello! Is anyone here?"

I don't know. Maybe people are here. Maybe people aren't. If I start hearing noises -- someone is here. "Hello? Who's here?"

When you have an idea there is a person, then you can switch to "someone." "Anyone" is more open.

So, if I look at this kind of picture... It's dark. It's at night. My first question could be, "Is anyone there?" It's so dark. "Is anyone there?"

Ah. There is someone! Someone is there. I don't know who, but somebody. It kind of looks scary. Somebody is there.

We'll practice with "anyone," but remember in conversation, you'll also hear "anybody." Anybody. Let me hear you say, "Someone, somebody." (Repeats)

Anyone, anybody. (Repeats)

I'm going to say "someone." You say "anyone" and make a question. Maybe someone called. Oh. Did anyone call?

Maybe someone came. Did anyone came? Anyone come? Come. Did anyone come? You have to switch the verb. Okay?

Maybe someone got the mail. Did anyone get a mail? The mail. Did anyone get the mail? I don't think so.

Maybe someone took your phone. Did anyone take my phone? Good.

So, that's what we're going to do next...is switching from the question "anyone" to the negative. We had "nothing" for things, and for people -- "no one."

Or in conversation -- "nobody." Nobody. Look how I'm going to write this. Isn't it interesting? Two words. We don't put them together. It looks funny because we have "oo" there. No one. But "nobody" is one word.

Let me hear you say, "No one, nobody." (Repeats) Uh-huh.

So this time, I'm going to say, "I don't think anyone bought milk." I don't think anyone bought milk. Why am I using "anyone" here? Because I have a negative verb. I don't think anyone bought milk. I don't think so.

You confirm and say, "Yeah. No one bought milk." I say "anyone." You say "no one." Okay?

I don't think anyone paid the bill. Yeah. No one paid the bill. No one paid the bill.

I don't think anyone went to the party. Yeah. No one went to the party. (Repeats)

I don't think anyone is using the computer. Yeah. No one use the computer. No one is using the computer. Let's say it again. I don't think anyone is using the computer. Yes. No one is using the computer.

Yeah. So you can use it now. No one is using it. You can use it. And that's a nice thing to do if you're at school, and there's a computer room. You want to sit at a computer. "Is anyone using this computer?"

No. No one is using it. You can use it.

I say "no one." You say "anyone." You're using "anyone" because there's a negative verb: don't think. In English, we avoid double negatives.

Don't say, "I don't think no one..." It's not standard grammar, so, "I don't think anyone can swim that far, that long." So if I say, "No one can speak 100 languages." You tell me, "You're right, Jennifer...." You're right. I don't think anyone talk...can speak...how much? One hundred. 100 languages."

Maybe they can say hello in a hundred languages, but to have conversations in a hundred languages...I don't think anyone can speak 100 languages fluently. Maybe I'm wrong, but...that's my feeling.

But there some things that everyone can do. All of us. Anyone. It's so easy. So, for example, I said, "Anyone can learn to whistle." Whistle. What is "whistle?" (Whistles)

Anyone can do it. Everyone can whistle. No? You can learn. Do you know how to whistle? No. You have to learn how to whistle. But anyone can whistle. Everyone can whistle.

The difference is if I say "everyone" -- everyone or everybody (in conversation) -- everyone can whistle. I'm thinking "all people."

Anyone. When I say, "Anyone can whistle," in my mind, it's so easy. Ah, anyone can do it. Say, "No, Jennifer. Not everyone." Not everyone.

There's another way to whistle, by the way. You practice later. If you can't whistle with your lips, you can learn to whistle with your hands. I tried to, but no. I cannot whistle with my fingers. I don't know how to do that.

I haven't done it since I was a little girl.

We're going to cut this out.

Good job. Yay. I can do something.

Okay. So I think if it's hard to whistle with your mouth, anyone can learn to do this. You just have to practice. Yeah. Yes. Anyways. Okay.

Do you think everyone can pat their head and rub their stomach? No. Pat, pat. Rub, rub. I think everyone can do that. No. You just have to practice.

Do you think...is there an example of something - anyone can do it. It's so easy. Anyone can cook an egg.

Yeah! I think it's easy, especially a hard-boiled egg. You just get water, the egg, and you heat it. Anyone can boil an egg. Boil? Not cook?

Boil. Yeah. You just need water. Right? I think anyone can boil an egg. Yes. Pot. Water. Egg. Heat. You got it. Anyone can do that. I agree.

Again we have different pronouns for different uses. When we talk about people, we can use: someone, anyone, everyone, no one.

In everyday conversation, you'll often hear these forms: somebody, anybody, everybody, nobody.

Try an exercise. Can you fix the mistakes?

One. I think someone is home. The lights are on.

Two. No one is here yet, but everyone will be here by 9.

Three. Somebody left their cell pone here. Whose is it?

Four. Did anybody talk to Ava? Where is she today?

Five. Everyone is happy.

Now you can hear how Flavia and Andreia use indefinite pronouns when I talk to them.

Does everyone in your family have dark hair? Dark hair? Yeah. Does everyone in your family have dark hair?

Mother, father, brothers, grandfather, aunts, uncles. Yeah. Everyone have..has...has black? Dark hair. And this is important.

Everyone, anyone, no one... We use the singular verb. Yes. Because you're thinking of your family, and there's a lot of people. Everyone...everyone has. Everyone has dark hair.

Does everyone in your family have...You have green eyes. Does everyone in your family have green eyes? Not everyone has a green eye...has green eyes.

Does everyone have brown hair? Yes. Yes? They do? Yes. Everyone has a brown hair. Has brown hair. How would you ask me? About eyes or hair?

Does everyone in your family has...You're making a question. Does everyone in your family...have?

Does anyone in your family have brown eyes? Everyone has brown eyes.

So, be careful. If you ask "anyone...," it opens up the possibilities. You know I have brown eyes, so you might ask, "Well, Jennifer, does anyone in your family have green eyes?"

Anyone? Because usually brown is very common. Yeah. Right? So you might ask, "Does anyone in your family..." Because you're not sure at all.

Does anyone have green eyes or blue eyes in your family? Right?

If you know that I have brown eyes, probably most people in my family have brown, so you would ask, "Does everyone?" Ask one more time.

Does everyone in your family has brown eyes? Have brown eyes? Yes.

I know you don't eat meat. You do eat meat. Does everyone in your family eat meat? Yes, everyone in my family eats meat. Eats meat. Very good.

So, you don't eat meat. Does everyone...is everyone in your family a vegetarian? Not everyone. Not everyone. Is anyone else...? Ooh. That's a good one.

"Else" is adding on. So, I know you are a vegetarian. Is anyone else? Is there somebody else? One more person.

So, I know you're a vegetarian. Is anyone else in your family a vegetarian?

No. Aha. And you can add this on. No one else. No one else is? No one else are?

No one else is a vegetarian. Only me. Okay.

You know that I love brigadeiros. Right? You can ask me a question now with "else." What's the question you guys can ask me?

Does anyone else in your family love brigadeiros?

Yes. My daughter loves them, and my son likes them, too. I think everyone loves brigadeiros if they try them. Try them. You'll love them. Okay.

I told you that I like to play games. Well, I also like to write and read stories with my students. Listen.

Well, I can't tell you. I think Lila will like the story. Okay.

Let's read and then I'll ask you some questions. Okay?

I took a walk after dinner last night. I was walking in the park when I heard a noise. I thought it was an animal, but then I thought it was a person.

Was someone following me? I got scared. I looked around. I didn't see anyone. Everyone was home. "Why was I out alone?" I asked myself.

It was getting dark. I walked faster. The noises were closer. "Oh no!" I thought. "Someone is following me!" I got out my phone and called home, but no one answered.

Where was everyone? Someone is going to attack me any minute. Then I told myself, "No one is going to surprise me. I'm ready!"

I turned around, and this time I saw a shadow. It was near the trees. Then I looked more carefully. It was a small shadow. It was a shadow with a tail.

"Oh my gosh!" I cried. It was a lost dog. Someone lost their dog! I walked over to the dog. It was friendly.

Thankfully, someone put a collar on the dog, and I found a phone number on the tag. I called, someone answered, and then I explained that I found their dog.

The dog's name was Cody. Cody and I waited for the owner. The owner came and thanked me. I'm really glad I took that walk!

So, what happened last night after dinner?

I? You can say "I." I walked in the park. I walked in the park. And what did you hear?

A noise. A noise. Mm-hmm. And what did you think? How did you feel? Scared. Scared. I got scared. Mm-hmm.

So when you're alone, you sometimes think, "Oh goodness! Is anyone there? Someone's there. Oh my gosh! Someone's there. Someone's going to attack me. Someone is following me."

So, you were walking last night in the park. Was someone there? Uh-huh. Yeah. Well, not someone. Maybe an animal. It wasn't a person. It was a thing.

Say, "Not someone. Something." Something was there.

Mm-hmm. And then you found out it was the dog. What was the dog's name? Cody. Cody. Why was Cody in the park?

Because he was lost. He was lost. How did you know Cody's name? Because he had a tag. A tag. A collar with a tag. And the tag said...

Cody. And there was a phone number. So, what did you do when you found the tag?

She... You can say "I." I called. I called. And then what happened? And someone answered. And what did you explain?

So, you called, someone answered, and what did you explain? The dog was lost. The dog was lost in the park. So, you and Cody waited, the owner came, and what did the owner say?

Thank you. The owner thanked me. Good.

I have a question. This is the story I wrote, but I don't have a title. Maybe you can help me. We need to come up with something.

A Noise

Something or Someone in the Park?

Yeah. Someone or Something in the Park. Yes.

Someone or Something in the Park. Yeah. Okay.

So, you practice and think about all the choices that I made. Why did I write with "someone"? Was someone following me?

Someone -- because I have this thought in my head: I think there's a person there. Is someone following me?

I didn't see anyone. -- That's negative. "Not anyone." I looked, and I didn't see anyone. Negative.

So, practice and then you'll be able to read it once more for me with confidence. Yeah. Okay.

We'll end here. Please like the video if you found the lesson helpful. As always, thanks for watching and happy studies!

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