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Vsuresh Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Grammar

Hi

None from what I have read and learnt in this forum, is considered as a singular noun or a plural noun depending on the context.

Keeping this in mind I gave two examples in my class to make the students understand the difference.

I would like to know whether I have chosen correct examples:

There were many apples in the market. But none were (all the fruits) good.

There were quite a number of mails today. But there was none (not one) for me.
  

Top answer

There were many apples in the market. But none were (all the fruits) good. There were quite a number of letters today.

— Mister Micawber

  • There were many apples in the market.
  • But none were (all the fruits) good.
  • There were quite a number of letters today.
  • But there was / (were) none (not one [ not any] ) for me.
  • The sentences are OK, but the second too strongly reflects the speaker's viewpoint, not notional concord.
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3 Answers
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There were many apples in the market. But none were (all the fruits) good.

There were quite a number of letters today. But there was / (were) none (not one [ not any]) for me.

The sentences are OK, but the second too strongly reflects the speaker's viewpoint, not notional concord. It is much clearer to represent the varying number of 'none' wi
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Thank you very much, Mister Micawber.
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I agree with Mr. M. that it has to do with countable vs uncountable.

None of the apples were good.

None of the butter was good.

CJ
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