Subject Verb Agreement Indefinite Pronouns Worksheet

Subject-verb agreement is an important aspect of the English language. It ensures that the subject and verb of a sentence agree in both number and tense. This means that a singular subject should take a singular verb, and a plural subject should take a plural verb. However, when it comes to indefinite pronouns, such as someone, anyone, everyone, nobody, and somebody, subject-verb agreement can become a bit tricky.

Indefinite pronouns do not refer to a specific person or thing, but rather to an unknown or unspecified person or thing. Therefore, it can be difficult to determine whether they should take a singular or plural verb. In such cases, it is important to take into consideration the context of the sentence and the intended meaning.

To help you practice subject-verb agreement with indefinite pronouns, we have created a worksheet that includes several exercises. Here are a few examples:

1. Someone (is/are) knocking on the door.

Answer: is

Explanation: The indefinite pronoun someone is singular, and therefore takes a singular verb.

2. Nobody (was/were) at the party last night.

Answer: was

Explanation: The indefinite pronoun nobody is singular, and therefore takes a singular verb.

3. Both of the candidates (has/have) strong credentials.

Answer: have

Explanation: Both refers to two people or things, and is therefore plural. It takes a plural verb.

4. Each of the students (has/have) their own book.

Answer: has

Explanation: Even though the object of the preposition (students) is plural, each is a singular indefinite pronoun. Therefore, it takes a singular verb.

5. Some of the money (has/have) been stolen.

Answer: has

Explanation: The indefinite pronoun some is considered singular when it refers to an unspecified amount. Therefore, it takes a singular verb.

By practicing these exercises, you can become more comfortable with subject-verb agreement when it comes to indefinite pronouns. Remember to always consider the context and intended meaning of the sentence when choosing a verb. Happy editing!