verb agreement with indefinite pronouns

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.

Singular indefinite pronouns

Singlar indefinite pronouns include the compounds of -body, -one and -thing, along with the words one, another, each, either, neither and much. A singular verb is used with these pronouns:

Nobody likes liver for supper.
Everyone sings in the shower.
Something smells funny.
One of the keys does not fit the lock.
Each of the members has the right to bring a guest.
Either is fine with me.

Plural indefinite pronouns

A plural verb is used with the pronouns both, few, many and several, 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]