The Grammar Doctor

None

Some indefinite pronouns can be either singular or plural. All, any, some, most, or none are singular or plural, depending on the noun they refer to.

All of the chocolate has been eaten.
All of the participants have come to the meeting.
More than one employee has complained about the harsh working conditions.
More than a dozen staff people are going to be laid off.

None

In more formal usage none is considered to be singular since none means not one.

None of the soldiers was happy about the assignment.

However, in general usage, including business writing, none can be considered plural.

None of the cats were gray.


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