The English Language

by R. G. Latham

THE INDETERMINATE PRONOUNS.

[§ 542]. Different nations have different methods of expressing indeterminate propositions.

Sometimes it is by the use of the passive voice. This is the common method in Latin and Greek, and is also current in English—dicitur, λέγεται, it is said.

Sometimes the verb is reflective—si dice=it says itself, Italian.

Sometimes the plural pronoun of the third person is used. This also is an English locution—they say=the world at large says.

Finally, the use of some word=man is a common indeterminate expression.

The word man has an indeterminate sense in the Modern German; as, man sagt=they say.

The word man was also used indeterminately in the Old English, although it is not so used in the Modern.—Deutsche Grammatik.

In the Old English, the form man often lost the -n, and became me.—Deutsche Grammatik. This form is also extinct.

The present indeterminate pronoun is one; as, one says=they say=it is said=man sagt, German=on dit, French=si dice, Italian.