Subject-verb agreement is one of the most important grammatical rules that writers should always adhere to when creating content for their copy. It ensures that the subject of a sentence and its verb match in number, whether singular or plural. However, the rules can get a bit tricky when dealing with indefinite pronouns, which are pronouns that do not refer to a specific person, place or thing.
Indefinite pronouns include words such as anyone, everyone, somebody, nobody, each, either, neither, everything, and nothing. These pronouns can be singular or plural depending on the context. Therefore, it is vital to pay close attention to subject-verb agreement when using indefinite pronouns in your writing.
Here are some rules to keep in mind when dealing with indefinite pronouns and subject-verb agreement:
1. Singular Indefinite Pronouns Require Singular Verbs
When using a singular indefinite pronoun, you should always use a singular verb. For example, everyone is going to the party tonight. In this sentence, „everyone” is a singular indefinite pronoun, and „is” is a singular verb that agrees with it.
2. Plural Indefinite Pronouns Require Plural Verbs
When using a plural indefinite pronoun, you should always use a plural verb. For example, some people prefer to live in cities, while others prefer the countryside. In this sentence, „people” is a plural indefinite pronoun, and „prefer” is the plural verb that agrees with it.
3. Indefinite Pronouns that End with -one, -body, or -thing are Singular
Pronouns such as anyone, somebody, or everything are always singular, and they require singular verbs. For example, anybody can learn how to cook with the right recipe. In this sentence, „anybody” is a singular indefinite pronoun, and „can” is the singular verb that agrees with it.
4. Indefinite Pronouns that End with -s are Plural
Indefinite pronouns that end with -s, such as both, several, many, or others are always plural, and they require plural verbs. For example, both dogs and cats make great pets. In this sentence, „both” is a plural indefinite pronoun, and „make” is the plural verb that agrees with it.
5. Indefinite Pronouns that Can be Singular or Plural
Some indefinite pronouns, such as all, any, most, and some, can be both singular or plural depending on the context. In such cases, the verb should agree with the noun that comes closest to the indefinite pronoun.
For example, all of the students are studying hard for their exams. In this sentence, „students” is plural, and „are” is the plural verb that agrees with it.
Alternatively, you can also use „is” instead of „are,” depending on the context. For example, all of the cake is gone. In this sentence, „cake” is singular, and „is” is the singular verb that agrees with it.
Conclusion
Proper subject-verb agreement is necessary when using indefinite pronouns in your writing. Be mindful of the number of the indefinite pronoun and choose the appropriate verb that agrees with it. By doing so, you can make your content more grammatically correct and easier to read, which will improve your SEO ratings.
