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Indefinites

It may be quite tricky to use indefinite adjectives and pronouns in French, and obviously,

learners meet equal - and often more - difficulty when it comes to using indefinites in  

English...   

An adjective or an indefinite pronoun, an indefinite expression, do not provide precise 

information about the subjects' identities, their gender or precise number...  

1) It is true that most of the times when indefinite pronouns are used, Anglo saxons  

use the passive form: 

- The burglar hasn't been caught yet.

- A house was built near mine. 

Therefore, as soon as you must express a sentence with an indefinite subject, the 

passive form should always come to mind. 

2) Yet, when we study the different points of view that may be considered, 

we also have to think about the different personal pronouns: 'we' (which means the

subject 'we' is included in the indefinite pronoun!), 'you' ('we' are not included in the

indefinite pronoun, but the speaker is.), or 'they' ( which is considered as outsiders, 

and unknown to the speaker.)

- They drive on the left in England. 

- We don't eat continental breakfasts in my family. 

3) When the indefinite has a plural meaning, use 'people'. 

- People like this actress very much. 

4) When the indefinite has a singular meaning, use 'somebody' ('someone'). 

- Someone is knocking at the door. Let me answer, please. 

5) In order to express generalities, use 'one'. 

- One must study hard to pass this difficult exam. 

Therefore, everything is a matter of points of view... If knowing the subject isn't really important, the 

passive form is a great ressource. If it is, and if the points of view are, then it requires thinking a little

longer! Go for the test, now... 

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1. 'In England, somebodysomeonetheyI don't know generally eat cheese with crackers after dessert. It may be surprising for some people!'



2. ' PeopleSheII don't know should never get angry for trifles… Staying in control is important.'



3. When someonewesomebodyI don't know are on holiday, it’s unpleasant to have to write long letters. Phone calls are much better.



4. 'What do peoplesomebodysomeoneI don't know drink in your country? I’ve never been there!'



5. 'In Spain, onetheysomeoneI don't know often have lunch around three o’clock.'



6. ' SomeoneOneWeI don't know don’t know who he is… He arrived in the village yesterday only.'



7. ' OneTheyNobodyI don't know don't eat snails in England and think only French people do it.'



8. ' SomeoneBritish kidssomebodyI don't know are taught to keep their self control… and of course, the quality persists when they are grown-ups.'



9. 'In England, youtheysomeoneI don't know should never have tea in a glass; it isn’t done!'



10. 'Do the gueststhe bridesmaidweI don't know expect me to deliver a speech at the beginning of my birthday party?'