In Pronouns^x, Singular verbs^x

Mister Micawber wrote:Although the interrogative pronouns normally takes a singular verb, if the speaker/writer thinks that there are several thieves, then the plural verb is fine. I've never heard that explanation. If the person thinks that several people are behind a robbery, surely he will...

Mister Micawber wrote:Although the interrogative pronouns normally takes a singular verb, if the speaker/writer thinks that there are several thieves, then the plural verb is fine.Even so, "Who are behind the thefts," on its own, sounds extremely unusual to my native ears.

Although the interrogative pronouns normally takes a singular verb, if the speaker/writer thinks that there are several thieves, then the plural verb is fine.

Actually I'd always use was. I think this may help: Couple is a word that continues to be a problem in headlines and stories. When it is used in the sense of two people, the word takes plural verbs and pronouns. For example: The couple were married in Silesia and immediately left for their...

I just can't believe that it doesn't matter which form you use. Cairn, I quote: Usage Note: It is widely asserted that none is equivalent to no one, and hence requires a singular verb and singular pronoun: None of the prisoners was given his soup. It is true that none is etymologically...

"A Practical English Grammar" by Thomson and Martinet: As everyone/everybody takes a singular verb, the pronoun should be he/him, she/her with possessive adjectives his and her. But this is only found in formal English. In ordinary conversation the plural forms they/them and their are used...

Yulysess, what I hope Pieanne can explain for me is the linkage of the singular verb 'is' with the plural pronoun 'their'. When 'everyone' is taken to mean 'all', the matching pronoun would certainly be 'their'. It's grammatically correct to say, 'All are busy in their own lives', but not,...

One in (number), one out of (number) should take a singular verb (and a singular pronoun, if applicable). Even if in one's mind the "one in ..." represents a statistical ratio, "one" doesn't mean two or more. See Garner's "Modern American Usage."

The word "somebody" is a singular pronoun, so it takes a singular verb, but it's also an indefinite pronoun, which means, we don't know if its referent is male or female, so asking, ?Someone's at the door, isn't she? ?Someone's at the door, isn't he? sounds very odd. It means you know that the...

Great addition, MM. Though, given the linking structures provided, I dare say we've a strong case for 'exceptions'. But, then again, I may have missed your point. Who are your favorite authors? Who are those bearded fellows in the daguerreotype? To me, "authors" and "fellows" function as...