As a copy editor, it is important to understand and correctly implement verb agreement with indefinite pronouns in your writing. Indefinite pronouns refer to non-specific people, places, or things, and they can cause confusion in sentence structure if the verb agreement is not consistent.
The most commonly used indefinite pronouns include anyone, someone, everybody, nobody, none, each, few, many, and some. The rule of thumb for verb agreement with indefinite pronouns is to choose the verb that agrees with the noun closest to the verb. For example:
– Everyone in the room is talking loudly. (The verb “is” agrees with “everyone,” which is singular.)
– Some of the students are studying abroad. (The verb “are” agrees with “students,” which is plural.)
However, there are some exceptions to this rule. When the indefinite pronoun “everyone” or “everybody” is used, the verb is always singular. Likewise, when the indefinite pronoun “none” is used, the verb is always singular. For example:
– Everyone in the office is required to complete the training. (The verb “is” agrees with “everyone,” which is singular.)
– None of the books in the library is available for checkout. (The verb “is” agrees with “none,” which is singular.)
It is also important to note that when an indefinite pronoun is used as the object of a preposition, the verb agreement is based on the object of the preposition, not the indefinite pronoun. For example:
– Each of the students is responsible for their own work. (The verb “is” agrees with “each,” but the pronoun “their” agrees with the object of the preposition “students,” which is plural.)
– Many of the employees were laid off due to budget cuts. (The verb “were” agrees with “employees,” which is plural.)
In conclusion, as a copy editor, it is crucial to understand the rules of verb agreement with indefinite pronouns to ensure proper grammar and clear sentence structure. Remember to choose the verb that agrees with the noun closest to the verb, unless an exception applies. Pay attention to the object of prepositions when determining verb agreement. With these guidelines in mind, you can produce polished and error-free writing.