- English Grammar A2 Level for Czech speakers - https://open.books4languages.com/english-a2-grammar-cs -

Indefinite Pronouns: Something and Nothing

Introduction

Indefinite Pronoun odkazuje na neurčitou osobu, předmět či množství. Ve většině případů jsou tato zájmena buď jednotná, nebo množná. Existují ale i výjimky, které mají oba dva tvary.

Something: Nespecifický, neurčitý či neznámý předmět.
Nothing: Žádný předmět.

EXTRA: Indefinite Pronoun = Neurčité Zájmeno; Something = Něco; Nothing = Nic.

Form

Something can be used as the subject or object of a sentence or question. We use it in singular, positive sentences. The structures are:
Verb/auxiliary verb + something + …
Something + verb/auxiliary verb + …

Nothing can be used as the subject or object of a sentence or question. We cannot use it with negative sentences, because it already has a negative meaning. The structures are:
Verb/auxiliary verb + nothing + …
Nothing + verb + …

Example

  • Something
    • I need something to clean the microwave.
    • Something smells terrible in the gas oven.
  • Nothing
    • There is nothing in the dishwasher.
    • Right now, nothing is in good state.

Use

Something vyjadřuje nespecifickou, neurčitou věc a používá se v kladných větách.

Nothing znamená „žádný předmět/nic“. Používáme je buď jako podmět věty či otázky. Nothing nelze použít v záporném tvaru, jelikož již nese zápor.

Summary

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: Positive clause + something (e.g. There is something in the fridge.);
  • The structure for Nothing is as follows: Nothing + verb + complementary (e.g. There is nothing in the fridge.).

For example:
— „There is something in the fridge.“ = Something is used to describe a singular noun.
— „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.