Language e-Link Twelve:
When Pronouns are Singular and Plural
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Rules
Indefinite Pronouns Indefinite pronouns refer to persons, places, things, or ideas in a general way.
Some pronouns (anybody, each, either, everybody, everyone, much, neither, no one, nobody, and one) are always singular and take a singular verb. Other pronouns (all, any, more, most, none, and some) may be singular or plural, depending on the noun to which they refer.
When you use an indefinite pronoun that is singular, use a singular verb so that the pronoun and the verb agree. When you use a pronoun that is plural, use a plural verb so that the pronoun and the verb agree. You can tell if a pronoun is singular or plural by considering the noun to which it refers.
Examples
The table below shows how to use singular and plural pronouns.
|
Singular Pronoun with |
Plural Pronoun with |
|
Some person sent me an instant message. (some refers to one person, so it is singular) |
Some people use the Internet to communicate instantly with friends. (some refers to people, so it is plural) |
|
Most of her instant message uses a very informal writing style. (most refers to one instant message, so it is singular) |
Most of her instant messages use a very informal writing style. (most refers to more than one e-mail message, so it is plural) |
|
Everybody uses the Internet differently. (everybody refers to individual people, so it is singular) |
None of the words are accepted in academic work. (none refers to words, so it is plural) |