What are Indefinite Pronouns?

Indefinite pronouns are words that refer to nonspecific people or things. Some indefinite pronouns are singular, some are plural, and some can be both, depending on the context. The verb must agree in number with the indefinite pronoun.

Indefinite Pronouns and Verb Agreement

1. Singular indefinite pronouns  always take a singular verb.

• These are: one, everyone, someone, anyone, no one, everybody, somebody, anybody, nobody, each, every, either, neither. 
• 'Everyone' and 'everybody' are singular nouns because they refer to a collective group of individuals as a single entity.
• Examples:
  • Correct: Everyone is excited about the trip. (NOT: Everyone are...)
  • Correct: Each of the students has a textbook.  (NOT: Each of the students have...) The word "each" means every individual one in a group and because it focuses on individual members rather than the group as a whole, it requires a singular verb.

2. Plural indefinite pronouns always take a plural verb

• These are: both, few, many, several
• Examples:
• Correct: Many were absent from the meeting.
• Correct: Few know the answer.

​3. Indefinite pronouns that can be singular or plural:

• These are: all, any, more, most, none, some
• Rule: Verb agreement depends on the noun they are referring to. If the indefinite pronoun refers to a singular or uncountable noun, the verb should be singular; if referring to a plural noun, then the verb should be plural.
  • Singular noun → Singular verb: Some of the cake is missing. ('Cake' is singular.)
  • Uncountable noun → Singular verb: Some of the furniture is damaged. ('Furniture' is uncountable in English.)
  • Plural noun → Plural verb: Some of the students are participating. ('Students' is plural.)

Common Learner Errors:

1. Using a plural verb with singular indefinite pronouns:
   • ​❌Everybody are happy to be here. 
   • ✅Everybody is happy to be here. 
2. Confusing the number of an indefinite pronoun:
   • ❌ Each of the players have a jersey.
   • ✅ Each of the players has a jersey. 
     “Each” is singular, meaning 'every single one'.
3. Forgetting to check whether "all" or "some" refer to a singular/uncountable or plural noun:
   • ❌All of the milk are spoiled.
   • ✅All of the milk is spoiled.
     “Milk” is uncountable, so the verb is singular.
4. Treating "none" only as singular ('None' can be plural or singular depending on what it refers to):
   • ❌ None of the cookies is left.
   • ✅ None of the cookies are left.​

Here's a quick summary: 

Practice Exercises:
A. Choose the correct verb:
1. Each of the students (is/are) responsible for their own work.
2. Both of the dogs (barks/bark) loudly.
3. Some of the dye (is/are) leaking from the bottle.
4. Nobody (was/were) at the door.
5. Most of the participants (has/have) given their feedback . ​

B. Correct the errors in the following sentences:
1. Everybody are welcome to submit an essay.
2. None of the participants is ready.
3.  Many of the pots is broken.
​4. Any leftover food are discarded.
5. Some of the butter are melting.

Answers: 
A. Choose the correct verb:
1. Each of the students is responsible for their own work.
2. Both of the dogs bark loudly.
3. Some of the dye is leaking from the bottle.
4. Nobody was at the door.
5. Most of the participants have given their feedback . ​

B. Correct the errors in the following sentences:
1. Everybody [is] welcome to submit an essay.
2. None of the participants [are] ready.
3.  Many of the pots [are] broken.
​4. Any leftover food [is] discarded.
5. Some of the butter [is] melting.
​