San Jose City College

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  MAKING SUBJECTS AND VERBS AGREE

Part VI: SVA Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns such as each, either (one), everyone/anyone, everybody/anybody, everything/anything, and nothing are singular.   ExamplesA pronoun replaces a noun. The indefinite pronouns in the example sentences below are always singular.
The quizzes have been difficult this semester. Each gets a little harder. [Each and every can also function as indefinite adjectives: each quiz gets a little harder. Every one gets more difficult.]
Every student was on time today. Nobody was late.
Isn't anyone absent today? It appears that everyone is here.
I like coffee and tea. Either is fine with me.
Is there anything to drink? [Anything, anyone, and anybody are only used with negative verbs and in questions.]
There isn't anybody at home. No one is answering the door.
Everything you have eaten is bad for you.
I'm hungry, and there's nothing in the refrigerator to eat.

Even compound subjects when preceded by every, each, and many a are singular and take a singular verb.  Examples Each doctor and nurse needs to follow procedures to prevent infections from spreading in hospitals.
Every guideline and procedure has to be followed carefully.
Many a patient has died due to unsanitary conditions in hospitals.

None is singular when it means not one of (+ plural count noun referent) or not any of (+ noncount referent). None is plural when its referent is plural [not any of them].   Examples The singular and plural uses of NONE:

None of the classes is open. They are all filled. [The meaning is not a single one is open.]

Due to budget cuts, none of the usual financial aid is available. [Not any financial aid is available. Aid is a noncount noun and requires a singular verb.]

None of the teachers have agreed to strike. [Teachers is a plural count noun; the meaning is not any of them have agreed to strike.]

Indefinite pronouns such as both, few/a few, several, and many are plural.  ExamplesIndefinite Plural Pronouns (often used as adjective quantifiers):

Politics and ethics should be required in all college curricula, for both provide essential guidelines for human socialization and professional behavior.
Few (people) dispute the necessity of an ethical education. [Few has a negative meaning - not many, a small number.]
A few (people) in every group fail to follow ethical guidelines and create problems for that particular society. [A few means some and quite a few suggests a rather large number.
Several (scholars) are discussing the necessity of articulating a global ethic.
Many believe that such an ethical understanding is essential for the survival of humanity.

Indefinite pronouns (also used as adjective quantifiers) such as all [of the], most [of the], some [of the], and a lot [of the] are singular or plural depending on their referents.   Examples The following indefinite pronouns are singular or plural depending on their referents.

When Nancy failed her math course, she felt that all was lost. [Meaning: all (everything) that she had worked for]
Fred is failing the class, too, but most are passing. [Meaning: most students or most of the students are passing. Please note that most of students is always incorrect! The quantifier is either ONE WORD or THREE WORDS - NEVER TWO!]
Some are getting a C, which isn't a high grade. [Meaning: some students or some of the students]
A lot are happy with their grades. [Meaning: a lot of students or a lot of the students - either is correct].

With noncount nouns, these indefinite pronouns are singular and require a singular verb.

Where's the milk? There's some in the refrigerator.
Is there any meat left? Not even a little. All of it was eaten.
Frank thought he needed to buy paint, but there was a lot in the garage.


In the sentences below, select the correct verb, making sure it agrees in number with the indefinite pronoun.
1. The bar examThe bar exam is required of graduate law students. They must pass it in order to be certified to practice the law. Once they pass, they are admitted to the bar. was administered two months ago, but none of the students' results
2. Many a law student to pass the bar the first time around.
3. Especially in California, many difficulty passing the bar.
4. Maria, Hoa, and Rosa have all recently taken the bar exam. Each her own reaction to the test.
5. Each and every driver to have a valid driver's license.
6. Many a driver without a valid license. Many auto insurance either.
7. Undocumented immigrants should be allowed to get a valid driver's license. Most to get to their jobs.
8.Many people drive without car insurance. Some accidents.
9.All drivers are required by law to have at least minimal auto insurance coverage and some better than none.
10. Nothing more disturbing than being hit by an uninsured motorist.
11. The accident victim needed medical intervention, but little .
12. Teenagers throwing rocks at cars caused the accident, but none so far.
13. It's been a month since the hit-and-run accident, and still no one even though the police have the license number of the vehicle involved.
14. A lot of the money offered as a reward for turning in the hit-and-run driver , but none yet.

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