Parts of Speech & Usage

Subject-Verb Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns (e.g. everyone is)

1 min read

Some subjects in English may look plural, but they take a singular verb. This is especially true with indefinite pronouns — words like everyone, somebody, each, none. Understanding whether these pronouns are singular or plural helps you match them with the right verb form.

1. Indefinite pronouns that are always singular

These pronouns refer to people or things in general but always take a singular verb:

Everyone, everybody, someone, somebody, no one, nobody, anyone, anybody
Each, either, neither, everything, something, nothing, anything

Examples:

Everyone is welcome at the event.
Each student needs a notebook.
Nothing was missing from the report.

2. Indefinite pronouns that are always plural

These pronouns refer to multiple people or things and take a plural verb:

Few, many, several, both

Examples:

Many are interested in the topic.
Both were accepted into the program.

3. Indefinite pronouns that can be singular or plural

These depend on the noun they refer to:

All, some, most, none

Examples:

All of the water is clean. (uncountable → singular)
All of the students are here. (countable → plural)

💡 Tip

Everyone, somebody, each, nothing = singular → use verbs like is, has, was.
Many, few, both, several = plural → use verbs like are, have, were.
All, some, most, none → look at the noun that follows to decide.
Don’t be fooled by plural-sounding words — “everyone” always means one group = singular.

Test your knowledge 📝

Question 1 sur 8Score: 0/8

Everyone ___ waiting for the bus.

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Parts of Speech & Usage

Subject-Verb Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns (e.g. everyone is)

1 min read

1. Indefinite pronouns that are always singular

These pronouns refer to people or things in general but always take a singular verb:

Everyone, everybody, someone, somebody, no one, nobody, anyone, anybody
Each, either, neither, everything, something, nothing, anything

Examples:

Everyone is welcome at the event.
Each student needs a notebook.
Nothing was missing from the report.

2. Indefinite pronouns that are always plural

These pronouns refer to multiple people or things and take a plural verb:

Few, many, several, both

Examples:

Many are interested in the topic.
Both were accepted into the program.

3. Indefinite pronouns that can be singular or plural

These depend on the noun they refer to:

All, some, most, none

Examples:

All of the water is clean. (uncountable → singular)
All of the students are here. (countable → plural)

💡 Tip

Everyone, somebody, each, nothing = singular → use verbs like is, has, was.
Many, few, both, several = plural → use verbs like are, have, were.
All, some, most, none → look at the noun that follows to decide.
Don’t be fooled by plural-sounding words — “everyone” always means one group = singular.

Test your knowledge 📝

Question 1 sur 8Score: 0/8

Everyone ___ waiting for the bus.

Discover the app: Shaky English

Join 100,000 people who are improving their English skills on the Shaky English app

Other similar rules

Common confusions

Insure vs. Ensure vs. Assure

Common confusions

Historic vs. Historical

Common confusions

“Different from” vs. “Different than”

Agreement rules

Incorrect Passive Voice Usage

Conjugation

What Is an Adverb?

Common confusions

Raise vs. Rise

Common mistakes

Using “will” vs. “going to” for future

Common confusions