Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Marrion]

I saw many sentences ..

[1] None of them calls on me.
[2] None of them is friends with Marta.
[3] None of them were present.
[4] None of them was successful at Anfield.
[5] None of them suffer from burn-out.

I am confused...

I wonder whether "none of + plural pronouns" is used with "plural verbs" or not.

If "none of" is used with "plural verbs" and "singlar verbs", I want to know the usage.

[lotus]

Hi Marrion,

"None" is plural.

[1] None of them call on me. (called is more common)
[2] None of them are friends with Marta. (were is more common)
[3] None of them were present.
[4] None of them were successful at Anfield.
[5] None of them suffer from burn-out.

The "of them" is simply a preposition phrase and does not affect the plurality of the subject "none" and its corresponding verb.


--lotus

[Marrion]

I found all these sentences,[1]-[5] on web-site in English in America.

Although "none of them" must not be used with "singlar verbs", I want to know Why "none of them" is used with "with "plural verbs" and "singlar verbs" by American people....