2-Difficult+Subjects




Singular:

anybody-- Is anybody going to the store? anyone -- Has anyone seen Mark today? each-- Each of the horses is fed separately. either -- Either one of the books is a good reference. everyone -- Everyone in the room is upset by his remarks. everybody -- Everybody wishes to go to Boston rather than New York. neither -- Neither Jack nor Mike likes to drive long distances. no one -- No one has volunteered to do that. somebody-- Somebody shut off the air conditioner and it is rather hot. someone-- Someone has to write this report; the chairman of the committee has just been called to Washington.

Plural:

both-- Both Jack and Mike dislike driving long distances. few -- A few of the people in the room were upset by his remarks. many -- Many of the people in the room were upset by his remarks. several -- Several of the people in the room were upset by his remarks.

Some words can be considered either singular or plural, depending on the sentence:

all --- All of the neighbors are concerned about her. (Plural) All of the neighborhood is concerned about her. (Singular) any--- Are any of the grammar books in Room 12? (Plural) Any book with a grammar section will do. (Singular) most --- Most of the students dislike grammar books anyway. (Plural) some --- Some of the students find grammar somewhat interesting. (Plural) Some water is spilling on the floor by the fountain. (Singular)

Whether the words are singular or plural depends on the sentence and its meaning. It depends on the noun to which the word is "linked."