MAKING SUBJECTS AND VERBS AGREEPart VI: SVA Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns
• Indefinite pronouns such as each, either (one), everyone/anyone, everybody/anybody, everything/anything, and nothing are singular. ExamplesA pronoun replaces a noun. The indefinite pronouns in the example sentences below are always singular.
• The quizzes have been difficult this semester. Each gets a little harder. [Each and every can also function as indefinite adjectives: each quiz gets a little harder. Every one gets more difficult.]
• Every student was on time today. Nobody was late.
• Isn't anyone absent today? It appears that everyone is here.
• I like coffee and tea. Either is fine with me.
• Is there anything to drink? [Anything, anyone, and anybody are only used with negative verbs and in questions.]
• There isn't anybody at home. No one is answering the door.
• Everything you have eaten is bad for you.
• I'm hungry, and there's nothing in the refrigerator to eat.
• Even compound subjects when preceded by every, each, and many a are singular and take a singular verb. Examples• Each doctor and nurse needs to follow procedures to prevent infections from spreading in hospitals.
• Every guideline and procedure has to be followed carefully.
• Many a patient has died due to unsanitary conditions in hospitals.
• None is singular when it means not one of (+ plural count noun referent) or not any of (+ noncount referent). None is plural when its referent is plural [not any of them]. Examples The singular and plural uses of NONE:
• None of the classes is open. They are all filled. [The meaning is not a single one is open.]
• Due to budget cuts, none of the usual financial aid is available. [Not any financial aid is available. Aid is a noncount noun and requires a singular verb.]
• None of the teachers have agreed to strike. [Teachers is a plural count noun; the meaning is not any of them have agreed to strike.]
• Indefinite pronouns such as both, few/a few, several, and many are plural. ExamplesIndefinite Plural Pronouns (often used as adjective quantifiers):
• Politics and ethics should be required in all college curricula, for both provide essential guidelines for human socialization and professional behavior.
• Few (people) dispute the necessity of an ethical education. [Few has a negative meaning - not many, a small number.]
• A few (people) in every group fail to follow ethical guidelines and create problems for that particular society. [A few means some and quite a few suggests a rather large number.
• Several (scholars) are discussing the necessity of articulating a global ethic.
• Many believe that such an ethical understanding is essential for the survival of humanity.
• Indefinite pronouns (also used as adjective quantifiers) such as all [of the], most [of the], some [of the], and a lot [of the] are singular or plural depending on their referents. Examples The following indefinite pronouns are singular or plural depending on their referents.
• When Nancy failed her math course, she felt that all was lost. [Meaning: all (everything) that she had worked for]
• Fred is failing the class, too, but most are passing. [Meaning: most students or most of the students are passing. Please note that most of students is always incorrect! The quantifier is either ONE WORD or THREE WORDS - NEVER TWO!]
• Some are getting a C, which isn't a high grade. [Meaning: some students or some of the students]
• A lot are happy with their grades. [Meaning: a lot of students or a lot of the students - either is correct].
With noncount nouns, these indefinite pronouns are singular and require a singular verb.
• Where's the milk? There's some in the refrigerator.
• Is there any meat left? Not even a little. All of it was eaten.
• Frank thought he needed to buy paint, but there was a lot in the garage.
In the sentences below, select the correct verb, making sure it agrees in number with the indefinite pronoun.