Sentence from book

I'd say that since the verb in question is used in a separtate, independent clause, either one works fine.

I'm looling for a cart. Have you seen any? (singular or plural?)

I need a piece of paper. Do you have some?

I don't think there's anything wrong with these.

was agrees with none in formal English. Informally, were can be used.

CJ

pleasehelpThey went back to the store again looking for another cart but there were/was none.

Shouldn't it be was since cart is singular? I think I failed miserably to make my point.
Yes, the verb agrees with "none," but if I'm not mistaken, "none" can be singular or plural, and I don't see "cart" as the antecedent of "none" for purposes of number.

AvangiI'd love to rent a helicopter, but there is/are none available. Isn't either formally correct?

Formally? No. Sorry. No prize for you on that one today! is is the "correct" (formal) form given in the more conservative grammar books. are is the form most often used in everyday conversation (informal). If I were writing an academ

Thanks, CJ. I'll have to ponder on that one!

I guess you're saying that "none" is always singular in formal writing.

AvangiI guess you're saying that "none" is always singular in formal writing.

Yes.

None of the men is here.

None of them is here.
None is here.

CJ

Thanks again. I wonder if I once knew that. Seems like I should have!