French grammar: pronoms indéfinis

What this grammar point covers

Indefinite pronouns in French are words that refer to people or things in a general or non-specific way. They do not point to a particular person or object.

When to use it

Use indefinite pronouns in French when you want to talk about people or things without being specific. For example, when you don't know who or what you are talking about, or when it doesn't matter exactly who or what it is.

Key forms

• quelqu’un
• quelque chose
• personne
• rien
• chacun(e)
• aucun(e)
• plusieurs
• certains / certaines
• tout / toute / tous / toutes

Examples

Tips

• Some indefinite pronouns change form depending on gender or number (for example: chacun/chacune, tout/toute/tous/toutes).
• Be careful: 'personne' and 'rien' are often used with negative verbs.
• Most indefinite pronouns are used without a noun after them.

Exceptions and edge cases

• ‘Tout’ can be used as an adjective or a pronoun. Pay attention to its agreement with the noun.
• ‘Aucun’ is usually used in negative sentences.