Subject-verb agreement with indefinite pronoun subjects

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The subject and verb in a sentence must both be either singular or plural. We can't have a singular subject with a plural verb or a plural subject with a singular verb. The subject and verb have to agree in number. (For more information on the basic rules of subject-verb agreement, read Basic subject-verb agreement.)

Matching subjects and verbs sounds easy, but sometimes it can be challenging. When an indefinite pronoun is used as subject, for example, confusion can arise.

What is an indefinite pronoun?

Indefinite pronouns are non-specific words like someone, others, several or none. Some of these pronouns are always singular or always plural. But some can change their number—they can be either singular or plural, depending on the context.

It is important to know whether an indefinite pronoun subject is singular or plural so that we can make the verb agree.

Pronouns that are always singular

Notice how a singular verb is used with certain pronouns (including those ending in -one or -body):

Nobody likes liver for supper.
Everyone sings in the shower.
Somebody has to take the garbage out.
Either is fine with me.

Pronouns that are always plural

Notice how a plural verb is used with the pronouns below, which are always plural:

Both of them play the flute very well.
Few read this well at such a young age.
Many of our young people go to larger cities to find work.
Several of the neighbourhood lawns need to be mowed.

Pronouns that can be either singular or plural

Pronouns like all, more, none and some take their meaning from the word to which they refer (which is often found in a phrase following the pronoun):

All of the milk has spilled on the table. [all refers to milk and is singular]
All of the books were sold last week. [all refers to books and is plural]

More of the story is found online. [more refers to story and is singular]
More of the rules apply to me than to you. [more refers to rules and is plural]

None of the cake is left for dessert. [none refers to cake and is singular]
None of the songs are any good. [none refers to songs and is plural]

Some of the bread is mouldy. [some refers to bread and is singular]
Some of the photos are out of focus. [some refers to photos and is plural]

Remember: When you use an indefinite pronoun as subject, check whether it is singular or plural. Then make the verb singular or plural to match. For a longer list of singular and plural indefinite pronouns, read Parts of Speech: Indefinite Pronouns.