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Subject-Verb Agreement: Indefinite Pronouns
A pronoun that does not refer to a specific person, place, thing, or idea is called an indefinite
pronoun. When an indefinite pronoun is used as a subject, make sure the verb agrees with the
pronoun.
Singular Indefinite Pronouns
8d. Use a singular verb to agree with the following pronouns when they are used as subjects:
anybody
anyone
anything
each
either
everybody
everyone
everything
neither
nobody
no one
nothing
one
somebody
someone
something
EXAMPLES Somebody has a good idea. [The singular verb has agrees with the
singular subject Somebody.]
Only one of the answers is correct. [The singular verb is agrees with the
singular subject one.]
NOTE
Many indefinite pronouns can also be used as adjectives. When these words are used
as adjectives, they do not affect the number of the verb.
ADJECTIVE Each tree has been trimmed. [The adjective Each modifies the noun tree.
Tree is the subject of the sentence.]
EXERCISE A Circle the verb in parentheses that agrees with the subject in each of the following
sentences. Each subject has been underlined for you.
Example 1. No one in my family ever (forgets, forget) a birthday. [The indefinite pronoun No one is
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always singular, so the verb should be singular, too.]
1. Everybody I know (likes, like) a sunny day. [Is the indefinite pronoun Everybody always singular?]
2. Anyone in need of help (study, studies) at the tutoring lab.
3. Each of the sparrows (build, builds) a nest.
4. Nothing (has, have) been done about the problem yet.
5. Everything (seem, seems) all right here.
Plural Indefinite Pronouns
8e. Use a plural verb to agree with the following pronouns when they are used as subjects:
both
few
many
several
EXAMPLE Several of the athletes won gold medals. [The plural verb won agrees with
the plural subject Several.]
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EXERCISE B Circle the verb in parentheses that agrees with the subject in each of the following
sentences. Each subject has been underlined for you.
Example 1. Many of the instruments (were, was) tuned already. [The indefinite pronoun Many is
always plural, so the verb should be plural, too.]
6. Several of the books (have, has) been returned to the library. [Is the indefinite pronoun Several
always plural?]
7. (Does, Do) both of your sisters go to college?
8. By last week, a few of the birds (was, were) still looking for a place to nest.
9. Many of that author’s stories (are, is) set in the same town.
10. Yesterday, several of the teachers (were, was) attending a conference.
Singular or Plural Indefinite Pronouns
8f.
The following indefinite pronouns may be singular or plural, depending on how they are used in
a sentence:
all
any
more
most
none
some
Look at the phrase that follows the indefinite pronoun. If the noun in that phrase is singular,
the pronoun is singular, too. If the noun in that phrase in plural, the pronoun is plural, too.
refers to the singular information. The singular verb is agrees with the
singular subject All.]
All of the workers are helpful. [The subject All is plural because it
refers to the plural workers. The plural verb are agrees with the plural
subject All.]
EXERCISE C Underline the subject in each of the following sentences. Then, circle the verb in
parentheses that agrees with the subject.
Example 1. Most of the clouds (holds, hold) no rain. [The subject is Most. The noun in the phrase
that follows the subject is clouds. The plural verb hold agrees with the plural subject.]
11. More of my attention (is, are) directed to the chalkboard than to my book. [What is the subject?
Is the noun in the phrase that follows it singular or plural? Which verb agrees with the subject?]
12. Some of the farmers (harvests, harvest) the grain.
13. On the platter, all of the fresh biscuits (is, are) steaming.
14. (Is, Are) any of the orange juice left?
15. In our backyard, none of the trees still (has, have) their leaves.
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First Course
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EXAMPLES All of the information is helpful. [The subject All is singular because it