None: The Chameleon Pronoun – Singular or Plural Depending on 'Of'
The pronoun 'None' is unique because its verb agreement can be singular or plural, primarily depending on the noun it refers to, especially when followed by 'of + noun'. It acts like a chameleon, adapting to its context.
- âĻ Rule 1: If 'None of + Uncountable Noun', use a Singular Verb. Example: None of the water *is* potable.
- âĻ Rule 2: If 'None of + Plural Countable Noun', a Plural Verb is often preferred in modern English. Example: None of the students *have* submitted their assignments.
- âĻ Rule 3: With 'None of + Plural Countable Noun', a Singular Verb is also grammatically acceptable, especially in formal contexts or to emphasize 'not one'. Example: None of the students *has* submitted their assignments.
Identify the segment that contains a grammatical error. None of the water samples (A) were found (B) to be contaminated (C) after the analysis (D).