Quick Answer: Singular or Plural?

The word “none” can be either singular or plural depending on context. Typically:

• “None” is singular when referring to a single item or quantity.
• “None” is plural when referring to multiple items or when it could logically mean “not any of them.”

Let’s break it down further.

1. Singular “None”

Use “none” as a singular noun when you’re referring to:

• A singular item, person, or uncountable amount
• Something that’s being considered in its entirety

Examples:

• “None of the cake was eaten.” (Refers to a single, whole cake; we treat “none” as singular here.)
• “None of the money has been spent.” (Money, here, is uncountable; “none” is singular.)

Grammar Tip: When “none” is singular, it pairs with singular verbs like is, was, or has.

2. Plural “None”

Use “none” as a plural noun when:

• Referring to multiple items, often countable, where “none” means “not any” or “not one.”
• It’s clear from context that the sentence involves several items or people.

Examples:

• “None of the students were absent.” (Refers to multiple students, making “none” plural.)
• “None of the books have been returned.” (Books are countable, so “none” here is treated as plural.)

Grammar Tip: With plural “none,” pair it with plural verbs like are, were, or have.

3. Cases Where Either Singular or Plural Is Correct

Some sentences with “none” could use either a singular or plural verb based on emphasis or style preference.

Examples:

• “None of the team is available” (emphasizing the team as a single unit) or “None of the team are available” (viewing individual members as unavailable).
• “None of the information is correct” (singular) vs. “None of the facts are correct” (plural).

Practice Time!

Let’s practice determining whether “none” should be singular or plural in these sentences:

1. None of the coffee ___ left in the pot. (is / are)
2. None of the players ___ practicing today. (is / are)
3. None of the advice ___ relevant to my situation. (is / are)
4. None of the cookies ___ eaten yet. (was / were)

Answers:

1. is (singular, coffee is uncountable)
2. are (plural, players are countable and multiple)
3. is (singular, advice is uncountable)
4. were (plural, cookies are countable and multiple)