Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns replace nouns without specifying which noun they replace These are words that begin with any-, every-, no-, or some-and end with -body, -one, or -thing.
Indefinite pronouns that end in -body, -one, or –thing, are singular. In your mind, add the word, “single” in the middle of these words to reinforce the pronoun’s need for a singular verb.
Indefinite Pronouns |
||
Any |
(single) |
-body |
Every |
(single) |
-one |
No |
(single) |
-thing |
Some |
(single) |
Words like “no one,” “neither,” and “not one” are all singular. After all, the quantities they represent aren’t even one; they are zero.
Examples:
Everybody will have her/his chance.
Someone left his/her widget in the conference room.
No one was there.
Words like “several,” “few,” “both,” and “many” are all plural.
THE ANSWER: Everyone IS.
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