Hello there! I'm a language enthusiast with a knack for grammar and a passion for helping others understand the nuances of the English language. Let's dive into the question at hand: "Is it 'everyone was' or 'everyone were'?" This is a common point of confusion for many English speakers, and it's a great opportunity to explore the intricacies of subject-verb agreement.
Firstly, it's important to understand that "everyone" is a singular indefinite pronoun. It refers to all people in a group without specifying who those people are. Because it's singular, it should generally take a singular verb. So, in most cases, the correct form is "everyone was."
However, English is a living language, and it's full of exceptions and regional variations. As mentioned in the reference, in some parts of Britain, particularly in more informal speech, "everyone" can sometimes be treated as a plural noun. This is because it implies multiple people. But in formal writing and in most varieties of English, including American English, "everyone" is treated as singular.
Let's look at some examples to illustrate the point:
- Singular usage (formal and standard):
"Everyone was late to the meeting."
"Everyone has a responsibility to protect the environment."
- Plural usage (informal and regional):
"Everyone were talking when I entered the room."
"Did everyone bring their books?"
The second example is less common and might be considered non-standard by some grammar purists. It's also important to note that using "were" instead of "was" can sometimes convey a more conversational or colloquial tone, even when "everyone" is the subject.
Another point to consider is the use of "everybody" as opposed to "everyone." "Everybody" is an alternative way to say "everyone," and it's also a singular indefinite pronoun. However, "everybody" is more commonly used in informal speech and writing, and it tends to be treated as singular in all contexts:
- "Everybody was excited about the news."
- "Does everybody have a pen?"
In conclusion, while there are regional and informal variations, the standard and formal rule is that "everyone" is singular and should take a singular verb form, which is "was." However, language is flexible, and you may hear "were" used in some contexts, particularly in informal British English. It's always a good idea to consider your audience and the level of formality when choosing between "was" and "were" with "everyone."
Now, let's move on to the translation of the answer into Chinese.

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Grammar Girl [...] says, everyone sounds like a lot of people, but in grammar land, everyone is a singular noun and takes a singular verb. Now, if you're in Britain, you don't have to worry so much about everyone and everybody because sometimes they're considered plural.Feb 16, 2012read more >>