ALL AND BOTH

Question

Hi,I get confused as to when I could use the singular verb or plural verb with the words 'all' and 'both'. I think I have seen the singular verb use more than the plural verb use.eg,The answers are A and B. Both is/are?? fine.What should I use, a pencil or pen? Both is/are fine.The answers are A, B, and C. All is/are?? fine.What should I use, a pencil, marker, or pen? All is/are fine.

Avangi · Accepted Answer

AnonymousThe answers are A and B. Both is/are?? fine.
What should I use, a pencil or pen? Both is/are fine.
The answers are A, B, and C. All is/are?? fine.
What should I use, a pencil, marker, or pen? All is/are fine.

These all require plural verbs. / These all require a plural verb.

"Each," or "either one" or "any one of them" would take a singular verb.

- A.

Mr Wordy · Answer

"Both" is always plural, so that's easy.

"All" as a standalone pronoun can be either singular or plural. If it means "all of these individual things", then it's plural:

All are present and correct.

What should I use, a pencil, marker, or pen? All are fine.

If it means "everything" or "every part of" then it's singular:

All is well with the world.

All's fair in love and war.

Then there are the cases when "all" (or "all of") qualifies a noun or noun phrase. If the noun is plural then "all" acts as a plural:

All politicians are corrupt.

All of the women here are drunk.

If the noun is singular or uncountable then "all" acts as a singular:

All of my house has been painted.

All exercise is good for you.

There may be some other usage patterns too, but these are the ones that immediately come to mind.

ALL AND BOTH

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