WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM - Grammar Minute: RERUN - None of Us Is Ready for This Grammar Rule

Episode Date: November 5, 2024

"None" is short for "no one," which makes it a singular noun. But do we really have to treat it like one? Find out on this episode of Grammar Minute!

Welcome to the Grammar Minute, where we're saving the English language 60 seconds at a time. I'm Lauren Smith and I'm going to introduce an antiquated grammar rule that nobody can really agree on these days. Here it is. None is a singular noun. Okay, you say, what's it to me? Well, if we put this into practice in a real sentence, we might get something really awkward like this. None of the cats was sitting in front of the fireplace. That sounds weird. Everybody agrees that it sounds weird and yet it's technically correct, since none is an abbreviation of no one and is clearly singular. What's a grammarist to do? Fortunately,

the incorrect plural verb has worked its way so deeply into everyday speech that it is now officially accepted as correct. You can say, none of the cats are and no one will think twice about it. But now that I've told you this rule, I bet you'll think twice the next time you use none in a sentence. That's your Grammar Minute. For more tips and tricks, visitgrammerminit.com.