(Complete Detailed Theory for SSC, Banking, PSC & UPSC Exams)
1. Introduction
In Subject–Verb Agreement, one of the most confusing and frequently tested areas in competitive exams is Indefinite Pronouns.
Indefinite pronouns do not refer to a specific person or thing. Examples include:
- Everyone
- Someone
- Anyone
- Nobody
- Each
- Either
- Neither
- Few
- Many
- Several
- Some
- All
In exams like SSC, Banking, PSC, and UPSC, questions often test whether the candidate knows if these pronouns take a singular or plural verb.
2. What Are Indefinite Pronouns?
Indefinite pronouns refer to unspecified persons or things.
Example:
- Everyone is happy.
- Few are ready.
The verb depends on the type of indefinite pronoun used.
3. Indefinite Pronouns That Always Take Singular Verbs
These pronouns always take a singular verb, even though they may refer to many people.
List:
- Everyone
- Everybody
- Someone
- Somebody
- Anyone
- Anybody
- No one
- Nobody
- Each
- Either
- Neither
- One
Examples:
- Everyone is present.
- Someone has called you.
- Nobody knows the answer.
- Each of the players is ready.
- Neither of the boys is guilty.
🔎 Exam Trap:
“Each of the students have submitted…” ❌
Correct: “Each of the students has submitted…” ✅
Very common in SSC & Banking exams.
4. Indefinite Pronouns That Always Take Plural Verbs
These pronouns always take plural verbs.
List:
- Few
- A few
- Many
- Several
- Both
Examples:
- Few are interested.
- Many have applied.
- Several were absent.
- Both are correct.
🔎 Exam Focus:
“Many is absent.” ❌
Correct: “Many are absent.” ✅
5. Indefinite Pronouns That Can Be Singular or Plural
These pronouns depend on the noun that follows them.
List:
- All
- Some
- None
- Most
- Any
- Half
- Plenty
Rule: Look at the noun after “of”
Case 1: With Uncountable Noun → Singular Verb
- All of the milk is finished.
- Some of the information is incorrect.
- None of the money is missing.
Case 2: With Plural Countable Noun → Plural Verb
- All of the students are present.
- Some of the books are missing.
- None of the players are injured.
(“None” can be singular or plural depending on context. In competitive exams, follow the noun.)
6. Special Important Rules
Rule 1: “Each” and “Every” Always Singular
- Each student has a pen.
- Every boy and girl is ready.
Even if the noun after “of” is plural, the verb is singular.
- Each of the candidates is eligible.
Rule 2: “Neither of” and “Either of” Take Singular Verb
- Neither of the answers is correct.
- Either of the roads leads to the station.
Rule 3: “One of the…” Takes Singular Verb
- One of the students has won the prize.
But in relative clause:
- She is one of the students who have passed.
(Verb agrees with “students”) - She is the only one who has passed.
(Verb agrees with “one”)
Highly important for UPSC-level exams.
Rule 4: “None” Usage in Exams
Traditionally:
- None = not one → singular
Modern usage:
- Can take singular or plural
In competitive exams:
Follow the noun after “of”.
7. Common Errors Asked in Exams
❌ Everybody are happy.
✅ Everybody is happy.
❌ Each of the players have a uniform.
✅ Each of the players has a uniform.
❌ None of the students is present. (If referring to many students)
✅ None of the students are present.
❌ Some of the water are dirty.
✅ Some of the water is dirty.
8. Quick Reference Table
| Indefinite Pronoun Type | Examples | Verb |
|---|---|---|
| Always Singular | Everyone, Each, Either, Neither | Singular |
| Always Plural | Few, Many, Several, Both | Plural |
| Singular/Plural (Depends) | All, Some, None, Most | Depends on noun |
9. Exam Strategy (SSC / Banking / PSC / UPSC)
- Identify the indefinite pronoun.
- Check if it is always singular or plural.
- If flexible, check the noun after “of”.
- Be careful with “each of”, “one of”, “neither of”.
- Watch relative clause traps.
Most Subject–Verb Agreement questions in SSC & Banking exams include indefinite pronouns.
10. Mini Practice
- Everyone ____ (is/are) ready.
→ is - Many ____ (has/have) applied.
→ have - Some of the milk ____ (is/are) spoiled.
→ is - Each of the boys ____ (has/have) completed the task.
→ has - None of the players ____ (is/are) injured.
→ are