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Michaelting Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

None

None of these pens works/work.

I took the above sentence exactly from a dictionary.

So, are both 'work' and 'works' acceptable?
  

Top answer

I have read that 'none' is considered as a singular pronoun or a plural one depending on the meaning you want to convey: None of the pens work. ) None of the pens works. )

— Vsuresh

  • I have read that 'none' is considered as a singular pronoun or a plural one depending on the meaning you want to convey: None of the pens work.
  • ) None of the pens works.
  • )
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2 Answers
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I have read that 'none' is considered as a singular pronoun or a plural one depending on the meaning you want to convey:

None of the pens work. (All the pens are defective.)

None of the pens works. (Tthere are many, but not one is all right.)
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It has much to do with notional concord, Michael:

None of these pens work.

None of this water is drinkable.
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