GRAMMAR – Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite Pronouns like everyone and anything often cause problems. Although the appear to refer to more than one person or thing, they are SINGULAR. One way to determine if a pronoun is singular is to put the verb are immediately after it. If the resulting combination sounds wrong, then that pronoun is singular.

Singular

• everyone is
• somebody is
• something is
• each is
• nothing is
• another is

Plural

• both are
• all are
• many are
• most are
• others are
• few are

When using words like each, think about each one, which makes it easier to remember that each is always followed by a singular pronoun or determiner.

Some words like each and all are used as determiners and pronouns.

Remember that a determiner is always used in front of a noun, but a pronoun replaces a noun.

Though, Although, and Even Though

Conjunctions play a crucial role in connecting ideas within sentences, and when it comes to expressing contrast, three common ones stand out: “though,” “although,” and “even though.” Let’s delve deeper into how these conjunctions function and how they can elevate your writing!

1. Though

• Usage: “Though” introduces a clause that presents a contrast to the main idea of the sentence.
• Example: “I didn’t sleep very well though I was really tired.”
• Explanation: Here, “though” sets up a contrast between the speaker being tired and not sleeping well.

2. Although

• Usage: Similar to “though,” “although” also introduces a contrasting clause.
• Example: “She didn’t sleep very well although she was really tired.”
• Explanation: Despite being tired, the subject experiences difficulty sleeping, highlighting the contrast.

3. Even Though

• Usage: “Even though” intensifies the contrast and emphasizes the unexpectedness of the outcome.
• Example: “Even though they were really tired, they didn’t sleep very well.”
• Explanation: This construction underscores the surprising fact that despite extreme tiredness, the subjects still struggle to sleep.

Placement of Contrasting Clauses:

• These contrasting clauses can be positioned either at the beginning or end of a sentence.
• When at the beginning: Remember to use a comma after the clause.
  • Example: “Though it is the richest country in the world, the U.S. has one of the worst healthcare systems.”
• When at the end: No additional punctuation is needed.
  • Example: “The U.S. has one of the worst healthcare systems even though it is the richest country in the world.”

Understanding the nuances of these conjunctions empowers you to express contrasting ideas effectively in your writing. Practice using them to add depth and clarity to your sentences!

Tip: Experiment with different placements and conjunctions to find the most impactful way to convey contrast in your writing.

🚫 No, none, nothing, no one, nor, without, never…
So many ways to say no! 😅

At first glance, these little words seem almost the same — they all express the idea of negation or absence. But in English, each one has its own special job in a sentence. Understanding how to use them correctly can make your speech and writing sound much more natural.

Let’s break them down one by one 👇

1. “No” – Means Zero of Something

We use no before a noun to mean not any or zero.
It’s often used to emphasize the complete absence of something.

✅ Examples:

• There’s no milk in the fridge.
• I have no idea what you mean.
• She has no friends in this city.

💡 Tip: You can often replace “no” with “not any.”

There’s not any milk in the fridge. → Same meaning!

2. “None” – Replaces a Noun

When you don’t want to repeat the noun, use none.
It stands alone and means not any or zero amount.

✅ Examples:

• How many apples are left? → None.
• I looked for my keys, but found none.

💡 Tip: “None” is used without a noun after it — it replaces the noun.

3. “Nothing” – Zero Things

Use nothing to mean “not anything.”
It’s a pronoun that refers to things — not people.

✅ Examples:

• There’s nothing in the box.
• He said nothing during the meeting.

🚫 Common mistake:

❌ I didn’t say anything. ✅ Correct.
❌ I didn’t say nothing. (double negative ❌)

4. “No One” – Zero People

When you want to talk about people, use no one (or “nobody”).
It means “not a single person.”

✅ Examples:

• No one called me last night.
• No one knows the answer.

💡 “No one” = “Nobody” = “Not anyone.”
But remember — “no one” is two words, not “noone”.

5. “Nor” – Connects Two Negative Ideas

Nor is often used after neither or another negative phrase.
It connects two negative ideas in a sentence.

✅ Examples:

• I don’t like tea, nor do I drink coffee.
• She’s neither angry nor disappointed.

💡 Think of “nor” as the negative partner of “or.”

6. “Without” – Absence of Something

Without is a preposition.
It means “not having” or “in the absence of.”

✅ Examples:

• I can’t live without music.
• He left without saying goodbye.

💡 It’s often followed by a noun or -ing verb.

without sugar, without saying, without sleeping…

7. “Never” – Not at Any Time

Never means not ever.
It shows that something hasn’t happened — and usually won’t.

✅ Examples:

• I’ve never been to Japan.
• He never listens to me.

💡 You can think of “never” as a stronger version of “not ever.”

Common Mistake: Double Negatives

In English, we don’t usually use two negatives together in one clause.
They cancel each other out or sound nonstandard.

❌ Incorrect: I don’t have no money.
✅ Correct: I don’t have any money.
✅ Also correct: I have no money.

✅ Quick Summary

Final Tip

Practice these words in real sentences! Try writing examples about your daily life — for instance:

• “I can’t start my day without coffee.”
• “No one understands Mondays.”
• “There’s nothing better than a good nap.”

The more you use them, the more natural they’ll feel. 💬