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Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Have received or is receiving

None of the patriots _______ the medal for their bravery.
Choose one answer.
a. have received
b. receive
c. is receiving
d. receives

Either A or C, is A the correct answer?
  

Top answer

All answers are possible. From the American Heritage Dictionary: It is widely asserted that none is equivalent to no one, and hence requires a singular verb and singular pronoun: None of the prisoners was given his soup. It is true that none is etymologically derived from the Old English word n, "one," but the word has been used as both a singular and a plural noun from Old English onward.

— Mister Micawber

  • All answers are possible.
  • From the American Heritage Dictionary: It is widely asserted that none is equivalent to no one, and hence requires a singular verb and singular pronoun: None of the prisoners was given his soup.
  • It is true that none is etymologically derived from the Old English word n, "one," but the word has been used as both a singular and a plural noun from Old English onward.
  • The plural usage appears in the King James Bible as well as the works of John Dryden and Edmund Burke and is widespread in the works of respectable writers today.
  • Of course, the singular usage is perfectly acceptable.
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3 Answers
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All answers are possible. From the American Heritage Dictionary:

It is widely asserted that none is equivalent to no one, and hence requires a singular verb and singular pronoun: None of the prisoners was given his soup. It is true that none is etymologically derived from the Old English wordn, "one," but the word has been used as both a singular and a
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so 'have received' could be a more suitable answer?
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