Indefinite pronouns, like collective nouns, can be singular or plural, depending on how they are used in a sentence. Singular indefinite pronouns take a singular verb; plural indefinite pronouns take a plural verb. Here are some guidelines to follow:
Indefinite pronouns refer to people, places, objects, or things without pointing to a specific one. See Parts of Speech for a complete description of indefinite pronouns.
| Singular | Plural | Singular or Plural |
|---|---|---|
| another | both | all |
| anyone | few | any |
| each | many | more |
| everyone | others | most |
| everybody | several | none |
| everything | some | |
| much | ||
| nobody | ||
| nothing | ||
| other | ||
| someone | ||
| anybody | ||
| anything | ||
| either | ||
| little | ||
| neither | ||
| no one | ||
| one | ||
| somebody | ||
| something |
The indefinite pronoun many a is always singular, as in Many a person is sick and tired of eating saut©ed antelope on melba toast.
British English follows the same rules of agreement, but there are subtle differences in usage. For example, our neighbors across the pond consider the words company and government plural rather than singular nouns.
Circle the correct verb in each sentence.
| Answers | |
|---|---|
| 1. depends | 6. were |
| 2. is | 7. sleep |
| 3. causes | 8. is |
| 4. were | 9. is |
| 5. believe | 10. cause |
In many cases, a prepositional phrase intervenes between the subject and the verb. See Parts of Speech for a review of prepositional phrases.
Excerpted from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Grammar and Style © 2003 by Laurie E. Rozakis, Ph.D.. All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Used by arrangement with Alpha Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
To order this book direct from the publisher, visit the Penguin USA website or call 1-800-253-6476. You can also purchase this book at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.
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