Everyone, Somebody: Singular Verb, Plural Tag!
This is a tricky exception! While 'everyone', 'everybody', 'someone', and 'somebody' always take a singular verb in the main clause, they surprisingly use a plural pronoun ('they') in question tags. This is a convention to avoid gender specificity.
- âĻ Rule 1: The main clause verb remains strictly singular, as per the primary rule for these indefinite pronouns.
- âĻ Example: *Everyone **is** present today, aren't they?* (Not 'isn't he/she?')
- âĻ Rule 2: In question tags, the pronoun referring to these indefinite pronouns is always 'they', regardless of the singular nature of the subject.
- + View all 6 rules & examples â
Spot the error: Everyone is (A) ready for the trip, (B) isn't he (C) or she (D)?