Celebrity English

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agreement, pronouns, pronouns: indefinite

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A pronoun is a word that substitutes for a noun or a noun phrase. Pronouns are classified into 6 types: personal pronouns; demonstrative pronouns; indefinite pronouns; relative pronouns; interrogative pronouns; and reflexive and intensive pronouns.

Indefinite pronouns refer to unspecified people or things. These pronouns can be singular or plural; some are always singular, some are always plural, and the number of some depends on the object of the preposition associated with the pronoun.

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These are singular indefinite pronouns:

• each, either, neither, one
• no one, nobody, nothing
• anyone, anybody, anything
• someone, somebody, something
• everyone, everybody, everything

A singular indefinite pronoun takes a singular verb.

• Everyone is happy.
• No one knows what to do in this situation.

When a singular indefinite pronoun serves as an antecedent in a sentence, it must take a singular pronoun referent.

• Everyone brought his book.
• No one forgot her homework.

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These are plural indefinite pronouns:

• several, few, both, many

A plural indefinite pronoun takes a plural verb.

• Both are acceptable.
• Few are going to the party.

When a plural indefinite pronoun serves as an antecedent in a sentence, it must take a plural pronoun referent.

• Both passed their tests.
• Few did not understand their assignments.

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These are indefinite pronouns that can be singular or plural depending on how they are modified by a prepositional phrase:

• some, any, most, all, none (Use this mnemonic device: SAMAN)

The number of the verb or the pronoun referent depends on whether the noun is countable or uncountable.

When the object of the preposition is uncountable, use a singular verb.

• All of my knowledge was useful during the test. (Knowledge cannot be counted: how many knowledge? This does not make sense.)
• None of the ice cream was eaten. (How many ice cream? Ice cream cannot be counted.)

When the object of the preposition is uncountable, use a singular pronoun referent.

• All of her work made its impact on her grades. (Work cannot be counted: how many work?)
• Some of the water left its mark on the wooden table. (How many water? Water cannot be counted.)

When the object of the preposition is countable, use a plural verb.

• Most of the words were on the vocabulary test. (Words can be counted.)
• None of these sentences are hard to understand. (Sentences can be counted.)

When the object of the preposition is countable, use a plural pronoun referent.

• All of the books were useful in their own ways. (Books can be counted.)
• Some of my friends drove their cars to the beach. (Friends can be counted.)

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Note: Some indefinite pronouns are identical to the indefinite adjectives. The part of speech of each word is determined by its function in the sentence.

• Many books are wonderful. [In this sentence, "many" is an indefinite determiner that modifies the noun "books."]
• Many have become my favorites. [In this sentence, "many" is an indefinite pronoun functioning as the subject.]

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agreement, verbs

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A singular subject must have a singular verb; a plural subject must have a plural verb.

Look for the subject of the sentence and determine whether it is singular or plural. Then find the verb and make sure it agrees in number with the subject.

If you see a preposition, ignore the nouns or pronouns in the prepositional phrase. Consider crossing out the prepositional phrase so that it does not distract you from the subject of the sentence.

A group of students were studying for the test.

This sentence is incorrect. The subject is "group," which is singular. Ignore the prepositional phrase "of students" and use a verb that agrees with the subject of the sentence.

A group of students was studying for the test.

This sentence is correct.

Ignore any modifying phrase or clause that comes between the subject and the verb when determining subject/verb agreement.

The football player, in addition to the rest of the team, were awarded a trophy.

This sentence is incorrect. The subject is "football player," which is singular. The verb is "were," which is plural. Ignore the phrase between the subject and the verb and correct the number of the verb.

The football player, in addition to the rest of the team, was awarded a trophy.

This sentence is correct.

The following sentence has a dependent clause between the subject and the verb:

The song that they are playing in all the clubs are my favorite.

This sentence is incorrect because the singular subject, "song," does not agree with the plural verb, "are." Ignore the words that come between the subject and the verb to correct the sentence.

The song that they are playing in all the clubs is my favorite.

When subjects in a sentence are linked by "either/or" or "neither/nor," the subject that is closer to the verb will determine the number of the verb. The following sentences demonstrate subject/verb agreement in this type of structure:

Either the dogs or the cat has knocked over the vase.

Either the cat or the dogs have knocked over the vase.

Consider crossing off all the words from "either" to "or" (or "neither" to "nor") to help you determine the number of the subject.

Neither my brothers nor my sister are coming to the show.

This sentence is incorrect. Since "sister" is closer to the verb and is singular, the verb must be singular.

Neither my brothers nor my sister is coming to the show.

This sentence is correct.