WREN & MARTIN's English grammar-Indefinite pronouns-MCQs

 

INDEFINITE PRONOUNS — MCQs for Competitive Examinations

(Based on Wren & Martin's English Grammar)

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Average Standard

1. ________ of the students have submitted their assignments before the deadline.

• A) Each
• B) Every
• C) All
• D) Anyone

2. ________ knows that honesty is the best policy in life.

• A) Any
• B) Everyone
• C) Few
• D) Many

3. ________ of the two candidates is suitable for this responsible position.

• A) None
• B) Neither
• C) No one
• D) Both

4. She searched everywhere but could find ________ to help her in that situation.

• A) someone
• B) anyone
• C) nobody
• D) everybody

5. ________ of his friends came to meet him when he was in the hospital.

• A) Any
• B) Every
• C) None
• D) Neither

6. ________ student must carry his or her identity card to the examination hall.

• A) All
• B) Some
• C) Few
• D) Every

7. I have two pens but ________ of them is working properly right now.

• A) none
• B) neither
• C) no one
• D) either

8. Choose the correct sentence:

• A) Each of the boys have completed their work.
• B) Each of the boys has completed his work.
• C) Each of the boys have completed his work.
• D) Each of the boys has completed their work.

9. ________ were present at the meeting but ________ spoke in favour of the proposal.

• A) Many / none
• B) Much / no one
• C) Any / neither
• D) Few / either

10. Identify the error in the following sentence: "Everyone in the office have submitted their monthly report to the manager."

• A) Everyone
• B) in the office
• C) have submitted
• D) their monthly report
• E) No error

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Answers

1. C) All "All" is an indefinite pronoun used to refer to the entire number of a group. Wren & Martin states that "all" is used with a plural verb when referring to people. "Each" and "every" are singular and would require singular verbs. "Anyone" refers to an unspecified individual and does not fit the context of the whole group submitting assignments.

2. B) Everyone "Everyone" is an indefinite pronoun that refers to all people in general without specifying any particular individual. Wren & Martin: "everyone" is always singular and takes a singular verb — "knows" is correctly singular here. "Few" and "many" are plural indefinite pronouns and would require "know" — making the sentence inconsistent with the universal truth being expressed.

3. B) Neither "Neither" is an indefinite pronoun used to refer to not one and not the other of exactly two persons or things. Wren & Martin clearly distinguishes: "neither" is used for two, while "none" is used for more than two. Since the sentence refers to "two candidates," "neither" is the correct choice here.

4. C) nobody After "but" used in the sense of "except" or in negative contexts, "nobody" correctly conveys the meaning that not a single person was available to help. Wren & Martin: "nobody" and "no one" are indefinite pronouns that refer to the complete absence of any person. "Anyone" is used in questions and negative sentences but does not independently carry the negative meaning here.

5. C) None "None" is used here to refer to not one of a group of more than two (his friends). Wren & Martin: "none" can be used for both persons and things and refers to more than two. "Neither" is used only for two. Since "friends" implies more than two, "none" is the correct indefinite pronoun here.

6. D) Every "Every" is an indefinite pronoun/adjective used to refer to each individual member of a group, viewed separately. Wren & Martin: "every" is always singular and takes a singular noun and singular verb. "All" refers to the group as a whole. The sentence stresses individual obligation — hence "every student" is correct.

7. B) neither "Neither" is used when referring to not one and not the other of exactly two things. Wren & Martin: "neither" is strictly used for two persons or things. Since the sentence refers to exactly "two pens," "neither" is correct. "None" would be used if more than two pens were mentioned. "Either" means one or the other — which contradicts the meaning here.

8. B) Each of the boys has completed his work. Wren & Martin clearly states that "each" is always singular and must be followed by a singular verb and a singular pronoun. "Has" (singular verb) and "his" (singular pronoun) are therefore both correct. Options A and C use the plural verb "have" — incorrect. Option D uses "their" (plural pronoun) with "each" — incorrect as per Wren & Martin's rule of pronoun agreement.

9. A) Many / none "Many" is a plural indefinite pronoun referring to a large number of people — correctly used with the plural verb "were present." "None" refers to not one of those present who spoke in favour — correctly used with the singular/plural verb "spoke." Wren & Martin: "many" denotes a large indefinite number while "none" denotes complete absence — both fit the context perfectly.

10. C) have submitted "Everyone" is a singular indefinite pronoun and must always take a singular verb. Wren & Martin strictly states that indefinite pronouns like "everyone," "someone," "anyone," and "no one" are always grammatically singular regardless of their meaning. The correct verb is "has submitted" — not "have submitted." Correct sentence: "Everyone in the office has submitted their monthly report to the manager."