Indefinite Pronouns. The indefinite pronouns or adjectives either, neither, and each, as well as compounds such as everybody, anybody, everyone, and anyone are always singular. None may be singular or plural. The plural usage is more common. Each of the cars has its insurance proof in the glove compartment. Everyone at the meeting was upset over the policies announced. Every employee, supervisor, and executive reveals the operation of a model company. Is either of you ready for lunch? None of the employees have brought their children to the company dinner. None of the students is interested in the research project. None--no, not one--is planning to attend the retreat.
Indefinite Pronouns. I. The following common words are singular: each, either, neither, one, everyone, everybody, no one, nobody, anyone, anybody, someone, somebody. Examples: Anyone (without tickets) is asked to see Xxx. Xxxxxx. Each (of the newcomers) was welcomed (to the city.) No one understands a person who mumbles.
Indefinite Pronouns. Treat most indefinite pronouns (which refer to nonspecific persons or things) as singular. Indefinite pronouns include anybody, anyone, anything, each, either, everybody, everyone, everything, neither, nobody, no one, somebody, someone, something. Everyone in the class was talking at the same time. Certain indefinite pronouns (all, any, none, some) may be singular or plural, depending on the noun or pronoun to which they refer. Any of Xxxxxxx Xxxx’x books are good reading choices. All of his pain medication was gone. Some public schools have a French Immersion program. None of the counsellor’s career advice was useful. Collective nouns (jury, committee, crowd, army, audience, group, staff, family, couple, etc.) should be treated as singular unless the meaning is distinctly plural. The crowd has been rioting for three days. The barbershop quartet were arguing about which song to perform next. The second sentence can be clarified, however, by adding a clearly plural noun like members. This modification emphasizes the individuality of those in the group, since only individuals can argue.
Indefinite Pronouns. Indefinite pronouns are words that do not rename any particular person, place or thing. They take a singular or a plural verb form depending on the word and the context. The table below briefly shows which indefinite pronouns take singular or plural forms. Indefinite pronoun Verb form another, any, anybody, anyone, anything, each, each one, either, every, everyone, everything, more, much, neither, nobody, none, no one, nothing, one, other, somebody, someone, something Singular both, ones, others Plural all, any, more, many, enough, none, some, few, and most Use singular or plural verb form, depending on context To determine when the indefinite pronouns in the bottom of the table use a singular or a plural verb form, pay attention to the noun that they refer to. You can also try substituting the pronoun with he, she, it or they. For example: Millions of Canadians are called for jury duty each year, but most never actually serve on a jury.
Indefinite Pronouns. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Xxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx. 2008. A Phase-based Ap- proach to Scandinavian Definiteness Marking. In X. X. Xxxxx & X. X. Xxxxxx (eds.), Proceedings of the 26th WCCFL, 226-33. Xxxxxxxxxxx, MA: Cascadilla.
Indefinite Pronouns single indefinite pronoun: e.g., anyone, anybody, each, either, none o They use singular verbs. • plural indefinite pronouns: both, few, many, several o They use plural verbs. • All, any, most, and some depend on the situation. They can be either singular or plural. Outlaw Rehabilitated Each of Xxxxxx Xxxxx’x “bee poems” use the theme of beekeeping to express aspects ofthe human condition. Each of Xxxxxx Xxxxx’x “bee poems” uses the theme of beekeeping to express aspects ofthe human condition. Both of the main characters in Waiting forGodot believes Godot is the purpose of life. Both of the main characters in Waiting forGodot believe Godot is the purpose of life.
Indefinite Pronouns. The indefinite pronouns: anybody, anyone, each, either, none, neither, somebody, someone, everyone, and everyone These pronouns are________ and require a _________ Both and some are______________. In class Practice: Enclose in parentheses all prepositional phrases and phrases that begin with along with, together with, in addition to, as well as, including, and no less than in each sentence. Then read the sentence without the phrases. Underline the subject once in each sentence and circle the correct verb. Neither the players nor the coach was/were willing to talk about the unexpected defeat. Either of the digital cameras is/are a good choice because they are both highly rated by Consumer Reports. Everybody in the bleachers was/were wondering what happened. The National Rifle Association and the National Association of Retired Persons is/are very influential in Congress. When I worked there, everyone who edited or proofread business communication was/were required to suggest at least two changes per page. The exact date and time of the annual stockholders’ meeting has/have not been decided. Mandarin Chinese followed by Hindustani is/are the most widely spoken language in the world. A rain of ashes from the eruption of Mt. Xxxxxxxx on August 24, 79A.D., was/were responsible for the destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Either the professor or her students deserves/deserve credit for the theory that people dream about tasks and emotions that they didn’t take care of during the day. Neither of the diplomats from Kenya was/were present at the ceremony. Homework:
Indefinite Pronouns. Indefinite pronouns are nouns that do not refer to a particular person or thing. Because they don’t refer to a particular person or thing, rely on context or knowledge of standard usage to figure out whether the verb should be singular or plural. Common singular indefinite pronouns include anybody, anyone, anything, each, everyone, everything, much, neither, none, no one, nothing, someone, and something. Example: Something was not right. Example: Neither actually wants to fight.
Indefinite Pronouns. When an indefinite pronoun is the antecedent of a sentence, it is usually treated as a singular antecedent and requires a singular pronoun. Someone has eaten all the food in the house and left his or her crumbs on the table. One of the girls has lost her earing. Some exceptions: Both, few, many, other, and several are always plural antecedents. Both of my brothers love their cars. All, any, more, most, none, and some can be singular or plural, depending on the context of the sentence. Some of the students turned in their assignments on time. Some of the assignment is complete, but its final three paragraphs are missing. Collective Nouns: Collective nouns are usually considered singular. The class took its lessons seriously. The band played its most popular song. The jury returned with its verdict. The committee wrote its laws and bi-laws.
Indefinite Pronouns. Another common agreement error occurs with Indefinite Pronouns: everybody, somebody, anybody, nobody, no one, anyone, everyone, someone, each, every, nothing, everything, something, either, and neither.
