PRONOUNS
Pronouns point to objects, their properties and relations, their local and temporal reference or placement without naming them. They may be classed as noun-pronouns (substituting nouns) and adjective-pronouns (substituting adjectives). Noun-pronouns can function as the subject, object, predicative in the sentence:
I am a student. (subject)
It’s me. (predicative)
Explain it to me. (objects)
Adjective-pronouns can’t function independently; they modify the nouns they are used with:
I like some pop-music.
This is my life.
INDEFINITE PRONOUNS
All, any, another, both, each, every, either, nothing,
no, none, other(s), one, plenty, several, some,
many, much, (a) little, (a) few, a lot of
The pronouns SOME, ANY and their compounds
Some and any are used both as noun-pronouns and adjective-pronouns:
I have some interesting books.
Some walked to the station, others took a bus.
Compounds with –body, -one refer to persons, compounds with –thing refer to things. They are used only as noun-pronouns.
Some and its compounds are used:
In affirmative sentences (declarative and imperative):
I have something important to tell you.
Give me some books to read.
In all types of sentences when some has the meaning (some but) not all:
We were able to prevent some damage to the house.
I talk to my colleagues before I take some decisions, but this one I had to decide on my own.
Why are there so many mistakes in some of your exercises?
Why are some people so boring?
I was unable to eat some of the food.
She couldn’t find some letters she had left on the table.
Some teachers never seem to be bored when being in the classroom.
She never writes without making some mistakes.
3. In interrogative sentences with a “hidden affirmative meaning”:
a) if we expect agreement or answer yes:
Why are looking under the bed? Have you lost something? (I’m sure you have)
When will you have some time to show me your presents?
Did somebody call me up?
b) in offers and requests :
May I have some more tea? (a request)
Will you have some tea? (an offer)
Any and its compounds are used:
1) In negative and interrogative sentences:
He didn’t ask me any questions.
There isn’t anyone in the room.
Have you received any letters today?
Did you see any of them?
2) In affirmative sentences with the meaning no matter what or who (любой):
You may take any book you like.
3) In sentences with a negative meaning when they include negative adverbs such as barely, hardly, never, scarcely, little, few, seldom, negative verbs such as to fail, to refuse, to prevent, to deny, to avoid, to prohibit, negative adjectives such as impossible, reluctant, hard, difficult, unlikely, the preposition without and after too:
I’m too tired to do anything serious.
There is hardly any sugar left.
It’s impossible to see anything in the dark.
He failed to find any of them.
We got there without any difficulty.
Note 1. Some not any is used with the meaning not all:
He failed to find some of them.
4) In indirect questions and subordinate clauses of condition:
If you have any letters, post them at once.
Should anyone call for me tell them to wait.
I’d like to know if you have any friends in Moscow.
Note 2. Some not any is used in such sentences when they have positive orientation:
If you bring her some flowers she’ll be only too glad.
Much, many, few, little
They are used both as noun-pronouns and adjective-pronouns.
Not once did I see a tiger in the jungle, although I heard many.
Much, little are used with uncountable nouns; many, few with countable nouns.
Much (little) coal, iron, love progress.
Many (few) children, etc.
Much and many are used in interrogative and negative sentences and in indirect questions (after if, whether)
Did you have much rain on your holiday?
I wonder if many people will come to the party.
Many and much can be used in affirmative sentences preceded by very, too, so, rather
I’ve given you so much trouble.
In affirmative sentences the expressions a lot of, lots of, plenty of, a great deal of can be used instead of much and many. A great deal of – with uncountable nouns, the others – both with countable and uncountable nouns.
There was a lot of snow last winter.
The child gives me a great deal of trouble.
To intensify the quantity we use many (with countable nouns), much (with uncountable).
She has much more time this year than last year.
We have many more guests this time than before.
Note: A large amount of + uncountable nouns
A large number of + countable nouns
We can use many a + a singular noun to talk about a repeated event or a large number of people or things:
Many a pupil at the school will be pleased that Latin is no longer compulsory.
(A) few, (a) little
Little is known about the painter’s early life.
It’s a part of the world visited by few.
A little, a few have a positive meaning (немного, но достаточно)
Little, few mean “not enough”.
I have little time, I must hurry.
I have a little time, I can help you.
Only (just) a little /a few have a negative meaning.
The village was very small.
There were only a few houses there.
The pronoun ONE
The pronoun one is used both as an adjective–pronoun and a noun-pronoun. As a noun-pronoun it has the plural form ones, and the possessive case one’s. As an adjective-pronoun it’s used only with countable nouns:
One must do one’s duty.
He came to see us one day.
1. As a noun-pronoun it refers to persons in a very general way, to nobody in particular:
One should know one’s own mind.
He is not one to be easily frightened. (=a person)
2. As an adjective-pronoun it means (a) certain:
One day he’ll understand his mistake.
3. It is used with the meaning only, single:
This is the one thing we can fell certain about.
This is the one way to do it.
4. As a prop-word to avoid the repetition of the preceding noun:
I have bought a new dictionary because I have lost my old one.
That’s not their car. Theirs is a blue one.
I’ve never seen such tulips as these ones.
The prop-word one is not used:
1. to replace uncountable nouns:
I like fresh water better than boiled.
He has known good luck and bad.
If you need any more paper I’ll bring you some.
2. after own:
It’s not your book, it’s my own.
3. after cardinal numerals:
I have only one friend, but you have two.
Note. One(s) is not normally used after the conjoint form of possessive pronouns (my, your), the absolute form is used instead (mine, yours):
I’d really like a watch like yours. .
The prop-word one can be omitted:
1. after a superlative or comparative adjective preceded by the:
Look at that pumpkin! It’s the biggest (one) I’ve seen this year.
Of the two armchairs I chose the harder.
2. After which, either, neither, each, this, that, these, those, (an)other, and after ordinal numerals:
Karl pointed to the paintings and said I could take either (one).
If that cigar is too strong try another (one).
Help yourself to grapes. These (ones) are the sweetest, but those (ones) taste best.
3. after colour adjectives:
- Have you decided which jumper to buy? - Yes, I think, I’ll take the blue (one).
Note. One can’t be omitted after other adjectives:
My shoes were so uncomfortable that I had to go out today and buy some new ones.