MTEL Communication Literacy Skills : Writing Practice Test

Which type of pronouns do "everyone," "anybody," and "no one" belong to?

1. Singular indefinite pronouns

2. Plural indefinite pronouns

3. Demonstrative pronouns

4. Possessive pronouns

The correct answer is: Singular indefinite pronouns

The correct classification for "everyone," "anybody," and "no one" is singular indefinite pronouns. These pronouns are used to refer to non-specific persons or groups without defining them precisely. Despite the fact that they imply a broader category, they function grammatically as singular. For example, in the sentence "Everyone is responsible for their actions," the word "everyone" is treated as a singular entity, which affects the verb agreement and any accompanying modifiers. Indefinite pronouns in this context do not refer to a definite person or thing, hence they are "indefinite." The ability of these pronouns to point to people in a general sense without specifying exactly who or how many aligns them with singular indefinite usage, as they allude to individual members of a set rather than a group collectively. In contrast, plural indefinite pronouns would involve terms like "several" or "few," which indicate a plural reference. Demonstrative pronouns, such as "this" or "those," specify particular objects or people, while possessive pronouns indicate ownership, such as "his," "her," or "their." Each of these serves a distinct grammatical purpose that does not apply to "everyone," "anybody,"