Subject Verb Agreement: Indefinite Pronouns Collective Nouns

Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite Pronouns What are they? -pronouns that do not refer to a SPECIFIC person or thing

Singular Indefinite Pronouns ALWAYS Singular: anybody everyone one anyone everything somebody anything neither someone each no one something either nobody everybody nothing

Singular Indefinite Pronouns …trick to remember main S. I. Pronouns: If it ends with “body” If it ends with “one” If it ends with “thing”

Star these in the list you already have: each either neither These are your exceptions- they do not contain one, body, or thing

Plural Indefinite Pronouns Both Few Many Several These words are ALWAYS plural!

Can be EITHER Singular OR Plural: These words may be singular or plural…you MUST check their function within the sentence. all any more most none some

How to Check… When a pronoun is on the “either” list, to check how it functions, I must… -refer to the object of the preposition Object of a preposition- the noun or pronoun that ends a prepositional phrase Example: The diamonds in the vault are priceless.

Underline the preposition Don’t write this down, but do follow the directions below for the first example sentence In your notes: Underline the preposition Put (parenthesis) around the entire prepositional phrase Write O.P. over the object of the preposition a.k.a. the main noun or pronoun in the prepositional phrase!

Example of Objects of Prepositions The diamonds (in the vault) are priceless. op

Examples using “Either” Words Most of the pie was eaten. -“Most” can be either singular or plural - Check the object of the preposition to find out! - Is pie singular or plural? - singular, so most is considered singular

Examples using “Either” Words Most of the cookies were still there. What is the prep phrase? of the cookies What is the OP? cookies Is “most” singular or plural? plural