Subject-verb agreement: Indefinite pronouns

Should the verb that follows an indefinite pronoun be singular or plural? Well, it depends! Some indefinite pronouns are always singular and therefore take a singular verb, while others are always plural and therefore take a plural verb. But some can be either singular or plural depending on the context. How confusing!

See if you can choose the verb form that goes with the indefinite pronouns in the sentences below. If you’re stuck, read our writing tip “verb agreement with indefinite pronouns.”

1. Both of the German shepherds belonging to that family Placeholder for the answer always been good watchdogs.
2. Should we go to the early show or late evening show? Either Placeholder for the answer me.
3. Some of the families in the neighbourhood Placeholder for the answer striving to adopt a zero-waste lifestyle.
4. After the conference, several of us Placeholder for the answer to stay in town for a few days to do some sightseeing.
5. Nobody Placeholder for the answer expecting the bride and groom to perform a choreographed hip hop routine for their first dance together.
6. More of my joy in giving parties Placeholder for the answer from the party planning and preparation than from the party itself!
7. Ima has had many jobs, but few Placeholder for the answer been as rewarding as her job as a community service worker.
8. Each of the recipes in this cookbook Placeholder for the answer me of a special time with my grandmother.
9. All of the furnishings chosen by the interior decorator Placeholder for the answer the perfect style for the house’s modern design.
10. One of Noah’s short stories Placeholder for the answer being considered for a collection of short stories by up-and-coming Canadian authors.