None and None of +

A Teacher’s Note

None + singular uncountable noun

None of + singular uncountable noun

If none or none of + singular uncountable noun is used as the subject of the sentence,

It functions as a singular subject.

So, it takes a singular verb.

( √ ) None has come yet.

( √ ) None of this money is yours.

(Money = singular uncountable noun)

None of + plural noun

None of + plural pronoun

If none of + plural noun / plural pronoun is used as the subject of the sentence,

It functions as a singular or plural subject.

So, it takes a singular or plural verb.

But the use of singular verbs is considered to be better; as,

( √ ) None of these girls is naughty. (Better)

( √ ) None of these girls are naughty.

( √ ) None of us is honest. (Better)

( √ ) None of us are honest.

None is used in the sense of not one of more than two persons or things.

It is a negative word.

So, negative words like – no, not, never, etc. are not used with it.

If a negative word is used with none the sentence gives an affirmative sense.

A singular verb or a plural verb is used with any

But a singular verb used with any is considered to be better.

( √ ) Does any of them know? (Better)

( √ ) Do any of them know?

Happy Makar Sankranti

KesariSir, Maharashtra, India.

ENNglish