0
0

Each / Every / Everyone / Someone / Nobody

Introduction

In English grammar, certain words like each, every, everyone, someone, nobody are called indefinite pronouns. Although they may refer to multiple people or things in meaning, they always take a singular verb. Understanding this rule is essential for accurate sentence construction.

Pattern: Each / Every / Everyone / Someone / Nobody

Pattern

Words like each, every, everyone, someone, and nobody are always singular, so they must take singular verbs.

Example: “Everyone loves a good story.” (not “Everyone love”)
Example: “Each student is responsible for homework.” (not “Each student are”)

Step-by-Step Example

Question

Choose the correct verb to complete the sentence:

Each of the players _______ ready for the match.

(A) are    (B) were    (C) is    (D) have been

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the subject.

    The sentence begins with Each, which is an indefinite pronoun.

  2. Step 2: Apply the rule.

    Words like Each always take a singular verb.

  3. Step 3: Substitute and check.

    “Each of the players is ready for the match.” - grammatically correct.

  4. Final Answer:

    is → Option C

  5. Quick Check:

    Replace “Each” with “All”: “All of the players are ready.” → plural form changes ✅

Quick Variations

1. Each and Every → always singular.

2. Everyone and Someone → treated as singular.

3. Nobody or No one → singular (use “is” not “are”).

4. Always use singular possessive pronouns with them: “Everyone has his/her own role.”

Trick to Always Use

  • Step 1: Look for indefinite pronouns (each, every, someone, etc.).
  • Step 2: Always pair them with singular verbs (is, was, has, loves, does).
  • Step 3: Use singular pronouns (his/her) instead of plural ones.

Summary

Summary

In the Each / Every / Everyone / Someone / Nobody pattern:

  • All these words are singular in grammatical form.
  • They always take singular verbs: is, was, has, does.
  • They may refer to more than one, but grammatically they act as one.
  • Check for correct pronouns - use his/her instead of their.

Practice

(1/5)
1. Choose the correct verb to complete the sentence:<br><br>Each of the students _______ responsible for submitting the project.
easy
A. is
B. are
C. were
D. have been

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the subject.

    The sentence begins with Each, which is an indefinite pronoun and grammatically singular.

  2. Step 2: Apply the rule.

    Indefinite pronouns like Each always take singular verbs (is/was/has).

  3. Step 3: Substitute and check.

    “Each of the students is responsible for submitting the project” is correct.

  4. Final Answer:

    is → Option A

  5. Quick Check:

    Replace with “All of the students are responsible” (plural) - contrast confirms the rule ✅
Hint: ‘Each’ always takes a singular verb like ‘is’ or ‘was’.
Common Mistakes: Using ‘are’ after ‘each’.
2. Select the correct form of the verb:<br><br>Everyone _______ excited about the annual day function.
easy
A. is
B. are
C. were
D. have been

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the subject.

    The subject is Everyone, an indefinite pronoun that is singular in grammar.

  2. Step 2: Apply the rule.

    Words like everyone and someone take singular verbs.

  3. Step 3: Substitute and check.

    “Everyone is excited about the annual day function” is correct.

  4. Final Answer:

    is → Option A

  5. Quick Check:

    Compare: “All the students are excited” (plural) - shows the difference ✅
Hint: Use ‘is’ with ‘everyone’, not ‘are’.
Common Mistakes: Assuming ‘everyone’ is plural because it refers to many people.
3. Fill in the blank with the correct verb:<br><br>Someone _______ left their bag on the bus.
easy
A. have
B. has
C. are
D. were

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the subject.

    The subject is Someone, which is singular in grammar.

  2. Step 2: Apply the rule.

    Indefinite pronouns such as someone, anyone, no one take singular verbs (has/is/was).

  3. Step 3: Substitute and check.

    “Someone has left their bag on the bus” is correct.

  4. Final Answer:

    has → Option B

  5. Quick Check:

    Plural alternative: “Some people have left their bags” - plural verb ‘have’ used with plural subject ✅
Hint: Use ‘has’ with singular indefinite pronouns like ‘someone’.
Common Mistakes: Using ‘have’ with ‘someone’.
4. Choose the grammatically correct sentence.
medium
A. Every child have a right to education.
B. Every child had a right to education.
C. Every child has a right to education.
D. Every child are having a right to education.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Recognize the subject.

    The phrase Every child uses Every, which is grammatically singular.

  2. Step 2: Apply the rule.

    ‘Every’ takes singular verbs such as is or has.

  3. Step 3: Substitute and check.

    “Every child has a right to education” is the correct form.

  4. Final Answer:

    Every child has a right to education. → Option C

  5. Quick Check:

    Plural equivalent: “All children have a right to education.” ✅
Hint: ‘Every’ always takes singular verbs like ‘is’ or ‘has’.
Common Mistakes: Using ‘have’ with ‘every’.
5. Select the correct verb form:<br><br>Nobody _______ interested in the new policy.
medium
A. are
B. were
C. have been
D. is

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the subject.

    The subject is Nobody, which is singular in grammar.

  2. Step 2: Apply the rule.

    Words like nobody and no one take singular verbs (is/was/has).

  3. Step 3: Substitute and check.

    “Nobody is interested in the new policy” is correct.

  4. Final Answer:

    is → Option D

  5. Quick Check:

    Plural contrast: “Nobody here is interested” vs “Many people are interested.” ✅
Hint: Treat ‘nobody’ as singular and use singular verbs.
Common Mistakes: Using ‘are’ with ‘nobody’.

Mock Test

Ready for a challenge?

Take a 10-minute AI-powered test with 10 questions (Easy-Medium-Hard mix) and get instant SWOT analysis of your performance!

10 Questions
5 Minutes