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Common Errors Workbook |
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Grammar |
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7. Indefinite pronouns |
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Indefinite pronouns—words like anybody, anything, somebody, something, everybody, everything, neither, none, each, either—refer to unspecified people or things. Although they can seem to refer to more than one person or thing, most take singular pronouns. A few, however, can be used with either singular or plural pronouns. Here's how to determine which pronoun, singular or plural, to use:
Does the indefinite pronoun contain an explicit reference to one or more than one person or thing? If it ends in any of the singular constructions -thing, -body, and --one, it refers to one person or thing and takes a singular pronoun. Though less explicit, each and none (meaning each one and no one) also refer to a single person or thing and take a singular pronoun.
A few indefinite pronouns are more ambiguous. All, any, more, most, neither, and some refer sometimes to one, sometimes to more than one person or thing. For that reason, each can take either singular or plural pronouns, depending on the context. If you're referring to several people or things within a unit, use a plural pronoun.
All in the regiment advanced until they reached the beach.
If you're referring to the unit as a whole—as a group rather than as several individuals—use a singular pronoun.
All of the regiment advanced until it reached the beach.
Remember: Most indefinite pronouns refer to one person or thing and take a singular pronoun. To determine whether to use singular or plural pronouns with ambiguous indefinite pronouns, examine the context of the sentence.
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