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Mathias
Person for Everybody, nobody, everyone
I don't know what person I need to use words like everybody, nobody, everyone. Is it singular?
3 mars 2017 10:02
Réponses · 6
2
Yes. All of these words are singular nouns, so you need a singular verb.
Nobody has arrived.
Does anyone know the answer?
Everybody understands.
That's the simple rule--> You can never use a plural verb form with any of these words.
Here's the slightly more complicated bit. Even when we use 'they' as a pronoun, the words everybody, anyone and so on remain singular. Here are some examples:
Nobody knows the answer, do they?
Everyone has their books.
Has everyone finished? Yes, they have.
3 mars 2017
Hi Mathias,
What you are referring to are indefinite pronouns. They refer to general nouns -- they do not refer to specific things, animals, people etc.
We form the indefinite pronouns you have listed by matching (A) to (B):
(A) No / Some / Any
(B) body / thing / one
(Eg Nobody / Nothing / No one / Somebody / Something / Someone / Anybody / Anything / Anyone
Some indefinite pronouns can refer to singular nouns while others refer to plural nouns.
The ones you listed refer to singular nouns.
Example: Has anyone seen my passport? No one was in the room when the police raided the place.
Some examples of indefinite pronouns used with plural nouns are: Both and fewer
Example: Both were found guilty and jailed. / Fewer were incarcerated for gang-related crimes this year.
Some examples of indefinite pronouns used with BOTH singular and plural nouns are: More and Some.
Example: We acquire more wisdom (uncountable) with age. / We need more more menus (countable)for the dinner crowd.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Lance
3 mars 2017
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Mathias
Compétences linguistiques
Anglais, Allemand, Portugais
Langue étudiée
Anglais, Allemand
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