...there are some guidelines for deciding which verb form (singular or plural) to use with one of these nouns as the subject in a sentence.

If we refer to the group as a whole and, therefore, as a single unit, we consider the noun singular. In this case, we use a singular verb. ...

If, on the other hand, we are actually referring to the individuals within the group, then we consider the noun plural. In this case, we use a plural verb....

Indefinite pronouns can pose special problems in subject – verb agreement.

The difficulty is that some indefinite pronouns sound plural when they are really singular....

As subjects, the following indefinite pronouns ALWAYS take singular verbs. Look at them closely.
either; neither; other; anybody; anyone; anything; somebody; someone; something; everybody; everyone; everything; nobody; no one; nothing; each; one.


However, the following indefinite pronouns ALWAYS take plural verbs.
both; few; many; several; others.

A third group of indefinite pronouns takes either a singular or plural verb depending on the pronoun’s meaning in the sentence. Look at them closely.
some; any; none; all; most.

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