An indefinite pronoun does not refer to any specific person, thing or amount. Some of the most common indefinite pronouns include all, another, any, anyone, anything, each, everyone, everything, few, many, nobody, none, one, some, somebody, etc.
If you’re looking for some of the best indefinite pronouns games, worksheets, lesson plans and online resources, then you’re definitely in the right place. Keep on reading for everything you need!
Indefinite pronoun games and activities
Indefinite Pronouns Games and Activities
Are you ready to get into the best games and activities for indefinite pronouns practice? Here are some of the top picks that you can try out with your students today.
#1: Indefinite Pronoun Board Game
I love to play board games in real life which is maybe why I like using them so much in my TEFL classes as well. They’re super versatile and can be used for just about any topic, vocabulary set or grammar point.
In this case, you can fill up your board with indefinite pronouns. Then, each time a student lands on that square, they have to make a true sentence using that pronoun. For example:
- All the people in this class are Korean except my teacher.
- Some students are wearing hoodies.
- Somebody in this class has glasses.
Do you want to learn how to make your board games quickly and easily? Then you’ll want to check this out: Board Games for TEFL Classes.
#2: Dialogue Substitution
A common way that these kinds of pronouns are introduced in ESL/EFL textbooks is through a dialogue of some kind. But, have you ever noticed that most students just kind of mindlessly read them with their partner and don’t really pay attention to what they’re reading?
One way to prevent this from happening is to remove some of the target words (one example is body parts ESL). Then, students have to read the dialogue but also fill in the blanks at the same time. It takes this activity from purely a reading one to something that also focuses on meaning.
Want to try it out in your English classes? You can see more details right here: ESL Dialogue Substitution.
#3: Indefinite Pronouns Song
If you teach kids, then you’ll definitely want to consider using a song and chant or two to teach them about indefinite pronouns. It’s the perfect way to make your lesson more memorable. Have a look on YouTube and you’re sure to be able to find something that’ll work for you.
#4: Picture Prompt
A nice way to introduce this English grammar point is through a picture of people doing things. Then, you can elicit some sentences from your students about what the people are doing using indefinite pronouns. For example:
- Someone is playing soccer.
- All the kids are eating ice cream.
- None of the people are women.
It’s a simple ESL activity that makes a perfect warmer. Find out more information about this no prep ESL game here: Picture Prompt ESL Warm-Up.
#5: Running Dictation
I love to use running dictation with my students! It’s an extremely versatile activity that’s ideal for covering all 4-skills in a challenging and engaging way. In this case, you’ll want to use a conversation that has lots of indefinite pronouns. You can easily find one in the textbook you’re using, online or you can even write your own.
If you want to see how it works, then check out the following resource: ESL Running Dictation Activity.
This also makes a nice option as a common and proper noun game.
#6: Hot Potato
If you want to have some fun with your students, then you’ll want to consider playing Hot Potato. The way it works is that students pass around an object and the person holding it has to do something when the timer goes off or the music stops.
In this case, you can say an indefinite pronoun to the person holding the potato. For example: nobody or some. Then, the student would have to make a true sentence using that word (Nobody in this class is wearing a green shirt).
Do you want to try out this fun speaking game with your students? You can see all the details right here:
#7: Find Someone Who Bingo Game
In this Bingo game, students have to move around the class talking to their classmates to find someone who matches certain criteria. It’s a fun way for students to get a ton of practice with listening and speaking, as well as using indefinite pronouns.
Check out all the information you need to know about this fun ESL speaking activity right here: Find Someone Who ESL Bingo.
Indefinite pronouns games and activities
#8: Dictogloss
If you want to give your students a listening challenge, then consider using dictogloss. They can respond with either writing or speaking and one of the best things about this ESL activity is that you can use for just about any topic or grammar point.
In this case, you’ll want to write (or find) a passage with lots of indefinite pronouns. Put students into pairs and then read it out at a bit faster pace than normal for the level of your students. The students have to take notes and then work together to create what they heard. Read it again and they can put more of it together. Finally, students can compare with the original version.
Do you want to give it a try? You can see all the details here: Dictogloss ESL Listening Activity.
#9: Indefinite Pronoun Videos
Do you ever get the feeling that your students get tired of hearing you talk? I know that I start to feel that way as the semester is coming to a close. If this is the case for you, then you may want to consider showing some videos about the specific grammar point instead of lecturing. Have a look around on YouTube.
#10: Error Correction Relay
#11: Proof-Reading and Editing
I sometimes think that many students don’t grasp onto a concept 100% until they see it in writing. In this case, a nice assignment is to make up a dialogue or passage filled with errors related to indefinite pronouns. Then, students have to go through it, correcting the mistakes.
#12: Matching Game
Prepare cards with sentences on one side and the corresponding indefinite pronouns on the other side. Students have to match the sentence with the correct pronoun.
#13: Role Play
Design role-playing scenarios where students use indefinite pronouns in conversations. This helps them practice using these pronouns in context.
#14: Indefinite Pronoun Charades
Write different indefinite pronouns on slips of paper. Students take turns drawing a slip and acting out the meaning of the pronoun without using words, while the others guess which pronoun it is.
#15: Indefinite Pronoun Story
Have students work in pairs or groups to create short stories that include a variety of indefinite pronouns. This encourages them to apply their understanding in a creative context.
#16: Indefinite Pronoun Hunt
Provide a text or a set of sentences and have students identify and underline the indefinite pronouns. Then, discuss their findings as a class.
#17: Indefinite Pronoun Pictionary
Similar to charades, but instead of acting, students draw representations of indefinite pronouns while others guess which pronoun is being depicted.
#18: Sentence Transformation
Provide sentences using definite pronouns and ask students to rewrite them using indefinite pronouns.
#19: Real-life Contexts
Show advertisements, news articles, or excerpts from books that use indefinite pronouns. Discuss how they are used and their impact on the text.
Did you like these Indefinite Pronoun Activities?
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Bolen, Jackie (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 87 Pages - 10/24/2019 (Publication Date)
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Indefinite Pronouns Worksheets
I know that we’re all busy and don’t have a ton of time to make worksheets and other resources for our students. The good news is that there are a ton of indefinite pronouns worksheets online that you can just print and take to class with you. Here are some of our top picks:
Indefinite Pronoun Lesson Plans
Let’s be real—most teachers don’t have a ton of time for planning new lessons. That’s where some of these indefinite pronoun lesson plans can come in handy. You can just print them off, adapt them a little bit for the needs of your students and then head to class. Here are some of our top recommendations:
Online Practice for Indefinite Pronouns
If you want to give your students some more practise with this important English grammar point, then you’ll want to point them to the following resources online:
Indefinite pronouns exercises
Indefinite Pronoun FAQS
There are a number of common questions that people have about using indefinite pronouns and how to teach them. Here are the answers to some of the most common ones.
What is an indefinite pronoun and example?
An indefinite pronoun doesn’t refer to any specific person, place or thing. Instead, it’s general or vague. Some examples are all, any, anything, everybody, few, many, none, etc.
Are indefinite pronouns singular or plural?
Some indefinite pronouns like anybody, no one, something, something are singular. There are also indefinite pronouns which are plural such as everybody, few, several, everything.
What are the types of indefinite pronouns?
There are three main types of indefinite pronouns. They include the following:
- Partitives (anybody, either, nobody, someone, etc.)
- Universals (every, both, each)
- Quantifiers (any, some, enough, many, much)
Is anyone a noun or pronoun?
Anyone is considered to be a singular pronoun.
Have your say about these Indefinite Pronouns Games
What’s your top pick for an activity, game, exercise or resource for indefinite pronouns practice? Is it one of the options from this list or do you have something else that you’d like to recommend? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think. We’d love to hear from you.
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Last update on 2025-03-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Just teaching indefinite pronouns this week and I was struggling a bit to come up with fun things for my students to do. Thanks for your game and activity recommendations. I’ll be using a few of them.
I honestly just find this unit kind of dry so really appreciated your list of ideas for how to make it slightly more interesting. Keep up the great work.