Grammar Syntax Questions Medium
Subject-verb agreement refers to the grammatical rule that states that a verb must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject. When it comes to indefinite pronouns, which are pronouns that do not refer to a specific person or thing, subject-verb agreement can be a bit more complex.
In general, indefinite pronouns that are singular in meaning, such as "everyone," "somebody," or "each," require a singular verb. For example, "Everyone is going to the party" or "Somebody has left their bag behind."
On the other hand, indefinite pronouns that are plural in meaning, such as "both," "few," or "many," require a plural verb. For example, "Both of them are attending the meeting" or "Many have expressed their opinions."
However, there are some indefinite pronouns that can be either singular or plural, depending on the context. These include "all," "some," "any," and "none." When these pronouns refer to a specific group or quantity, they take a plural verb. For example, "All of the books are on the shelf" or "Some of the students have completed their assignments." But when these pronouns are used in a non-specific or general sense, they take a singular verb. For example, "All is well" or "Somebody needs to take care of this."
It is important to pay attention to the context and meaning of the indefinite pronoun in order to determine the correct subject-verb agreement.