Indefinite Pronouns: Something, Nothing

Pronouns are words used to avoid repetitions of a noun.

An Indefinite Pronoun does not refer to any specific person, thing or amount.

Something refers to objects with unspecified quantity while Nothing refers to an absent object.

Something

Something is used in singular, positive sentences. The structure is as follows:
Verb/Auxiliary verb + Something;
Something + verb/auxiliary verb + complementary.

Nothing

We use Nothing like a subject of a sentence or question. We cannot use it with negative sentences because it already has a negative meaning. The structure is as follows:
Verb/Auxiliary verb + Nothing + complementary;
Nothing + verb + complementary.

  • I need something to clean the microwave.
  • Something smells terrible in the gas oven.

 

  • There is nothing in the dishwasher.
  • Right now, nothing is in good state.

Something means an unspecified thing. Nothing refers to no single object.

An Indefinite Pronoun does not refer to any specific person, thing or amount. Indefinite Pronoun Something is used to describe an indefinite quantity and Nothing is used to describe no single object.

  • The structure for Something is as follows:
    Verb/Auxiliary verb + Something;
    Something + verb/auxiliary verb + complementary;
  • The structure for Nothing is as follows:
    Verb/Auxiliary verb + Nothing + complementary;
    Nothing + verb + complementary.

For example:
“There is something in the fridge.” = Something describes a noun which has unspecified quantity.
“There is nothing in the fridge.” = Nothing is used to indicate the absence of an object.

Let’s revise this content within the [Form] section. Take a look at the [Example] section that shows its use within a context.