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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Indefinite Pronouns
Some expressions with indefinite pronouns are incorrect in the plural.
Examples: Are all of you coming to the opera? or Is everyone coming to the opera?
We could use either plural or singualar in a question, but not in an answer:
All are coming. [incorrect]
Everyone is coming. [correct]
Can someone explain when we need the singular or why the plural is incorrect?
Examples: Are all of you coming to the opera? or Is everyone coming to the opera?
We could use either plural or singualar in a question, but not in an answer:
All are coming. [incorrect]
Everyone is coming. [correct]
Can someone explain when we need the singular or why the plural is incorrect?
Top answer
All are coming is fine. Does that answer your question?
- All are coming is fine.
- Does that answer your question?
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3 Answers
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Actually, they are both correct. It's just one of those funny little quirks about English. Someone else may be able to offer a historical reason.
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According to Swan (Practical English Usage), "we do not normally use all without a noun to mean 'everybody'" (although this was more common in older English). It is more natural in modern English to say "All of us are coming".
When used in this context, 'all' takes the plural form of the verb, and 'everyone' takes the singular form.
When used in this context, 'all' takes the plural form of the verb, and 'everyone' takes the singular form.
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