English Grammar & Syntax Quiz: Indefinite Pronoun Agreement
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Indefinite Pronoun AgreementQuestion 1 of 10

Every one of the sealed envelopes contain a numbered card, and everyone responsible for deliveries are on duty this morning.

Which revision correctly establishes agreement with every one and everyone?

Every one of the sealed envelopes contain a numbered card, and everyone responsible for deliveries are on duty this morning.
Every one of the sealed envelopes contains a numbered card, and everyone responsible for deliveries are on duty this morning.
Every one of the sealed envelopes contain a numbered card, and everyone responsible for deliveries is on duty this morning.
Every one of the sealed envelopes contains a numbered card, and everyone responsible for deliveries is on duty this morning.
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English Grammar & Syntax Quiz

English Grammar & Syntax Quiz: Indefinite Pronoun Agreement

Practice Indefinite Pronoun Agreement in English Grammar & Syntax with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Indefinite Pronoun Agreement, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for English Grammar & Syntax.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

All questions

Question 1

Every one of the sealed envelopes contain a numbered card, and everyone responsible for deliveries are on duty this morning.

Which revision correctly establishes agreement with every one and everyone?

  1. Every one of the sealed envelopes contain a numbered card, and everyone responsible for deliveries are on duty this morning.
  2. Every one of the sealed envelopes contains a numbered card, and everyone responsible for deliveries are on duty this morning.
  3. Every one of the sealed envelopes contain a numbered card, and everyone responsible for deliveries is on duty this morning.
  4. Every one of the sealed envelopes contains a numbered card, and everyone responsible for deliveries is on duty this morning. (correct answer)
Explanation: When you see every one and everyone in the same sentence, pause — these look nearly identical but behave differently, and subject-verb agreement depends on understanding each one separately. Every one (two words) is used when referring to each individual item in a group, almost always followed by "of + noun phrase." Here, "every one of the sealed envelopes" means each envelope individually. Despite the plural noun "envelopes," the true subject is every one — singular — so it demands the singular verb contains, not contain. Everyone (one word) is an indefinite pronoun meaning "all people," and indefinite pronouns like everyone, someone, anyone, and nobody are always grammatically singular. So "everyone responsible for deliveries" requires the singular verb is, not are. Choice D applies both corrections — contains for every one and is for everyone — making it the only fully correct revision. Choice A fixes neither error, leaving both contain and are incorrect. Choice B corrects the first clause (contains ✓) but leaves the second clause broken (are ✗), so it's only halfway there. Choice C does the opposite — it leaves the first clause broken (contain ✗) while correctly fixing the second (is ✓), which is the mirror-image trap of B. A useful memory trick: any pronoun built with every-, some-, any-, or no- (everyone, someone, anyone, nobody, etc.) is always singular — treat it like you would he or she. On grammar exams, these pronouns paired with plural-sounding contexts are among the most common agreement traps you'll encounter.

Question 2

The panelists each has a folder, but each of the folders have an outdated agenda inside.

Which revision correctly reflects the different grammatical roles of each?

  1. The panelists each have a folder, but each of the folders has an outdated agenda inside. (correct answer)
  2. The panelists each has a folder, but each of the folders has an outdated agenda inside.
  3. The panelists each have a folder, but each of the folders have an outdated agenda inside.
  4. The panelists each has a folder, but each of the folders have an outdated agenda inside.
Explanation: When you see the word each in a sentence, your first job is to identify its grammatical role — because that role determines whether it takes a singular or plural verb. Here's the key distinction: when each follows a plural subject as an appositive (e.g., "The panelists each..."), it doesn't override the plural subject. The verb must agree with the actual subject — panelists — so you use the plural verb have. However, when each is the grammatical subject itself (e.g., "each of the folders..."), it acts as a singular indefinite pronoun and demands a singular verb: has. The original sentence gets both clauses wrong. The first clause incorrectly uses has after the plural subject panelists, and the second clause incorrectly uses have when each is the true subject. Answer A fixes both errors: "The panelists each have a folder" (plural subject governs the verb) and "each of the folders has" (singular each governs the verb). This is your correct answer. Answer B corrects only the second clause but leaves the first clause's error intact (panelists each has is still wrong). Answer C corrects the first clause but keeps the second clause wrong (each of the folders have treats a singular pronoun as plural). Answer D preserves both original errors, changing nothing meaningful. A useful tip: whenever you see "each of the [plural noun]," mentally replace it with "each one" — that reminds you it's singular and needs a singular verb. And when each follows a plural subject, let the plural subject stay in charge.

Question 3

One of the analysts who monitors supply-chain disruptions are preparing the final risk report.

Which revision correctly establishes agreement in both the relative clause and the main clause?

  1. One of the analysts who monitors supply-chain disruptions is preparing the final risk report.
  2. One of the analysts who monitor supply-chain disruptions are preparing the final risk report.
  3. One of the analysts who monitor supply-chain disruptions is preparing the final risk report. (correct answer)
  4. One of the analysts who monitors supply-chain disruptions are preparing the final risk report.
Explanation: When a sentence contains the structure "one of the [plural noun] who...," you're actually dealing with two separate agreement challenges at once: the verb in the relative clause (who  ) and the verb in the main clause. Here's the key insight: the relative pronoun "who" refers back to the plural noun directly preceding it — in this case, analysts, not one. That means the relative clause verb must be plural. Meanwhile, the main clause subject is one (singular), so the main verb must be singular. With that framework, choice C is clearly correct. "Who monitor" properly agrees with the plural analysts, and "is preparing" properly agrees with the singular one. Both verbs are correct simultaneously. Looking at the distractors: A gets the main clause right ("is preparing"), but uses "monitors" in the relative clause — a singular verb incorrectly agreeing with one instead of analysts. B corrects the relative clause ("monitor") but then uses "are preparing" in the main clause, treating one as plural when it's singular. D doubles down on both errors — "monitors" treats the relative clause subject as singular, and "are preparing" treats the main clause subject as plural. Every error in the original sentence is preserved. A useful strategy: when you see "one of the [plural noun] who," mentally isolate each clause. Ask yourself, "What does who actually point to?" (the plural noun) and "What is the grammatical subject of the main clause?" (still one). Keeping those two questions separate prevents both traps at once.

Question 4

Neither of the proposals, despite endorsements from several department heads, address the projected cost or explain how the program would be funded.

Which revision correctly establishes agreement for both predicates?

  1. Neither of the proposals, despite endorsements from several department heads, address the projected cost or explain how the program would be funded.
  2. Neither of the proposals, despite endorsements from several department heads, addresses the projected cost or explain how the program would be funded.
  3. Neither of the proposals, despite endorsements from several department heads, addresses the projected cost or explains how the program would be funded. (correct answer)
  4. Neither of the proposals, despite endorsements from several department heads, address the projected cost or explains how the program would be funded.
Explanation: When a sentence has a compound predicate — meaning the subject performs two or more actions — every verb in that predicate must agree with the subject. This question tests both subject-verb agreement and your ability to apply it consistently across multiple verbs. The subject here is "Neither of the proposals." The key is recognizing that "Neither" is the true subject, not "proposals." "Neither" is an indefinite pronoun that takes a singular verb, even though it's followed by a prepositional phrase containing a plural noun. The intervening phrase "despite endorsements from several department heads" is just a parenthetical interruption — mentally remove it, and you're left with "Neither...addresses...and explains." Both verbs must be singular to match "Neither." Choice C is correct because it uses "addresses" and "explains" — both singular — giving the subject consistent agreement across the entire compound predicate. Choice A is wrong because it uses "address" and "explain," both plural, which conflicts with the singular subject "Neither." Choice B gets halfway there by correcting the first verb to "addresses," but then leaves "explain" in its plural form, so the agreement breaks down mid-sentence. Choice D does the opposite — it keeps the first verb plural ("address") but corrects only the second ("explains"), making it equally inconsistent. The strategy to remember: when you spot "Neither of the [plural noun]" as a subject, treat it as singular. Then scan the entire predicate for every verb, not just the first one. A common trap is correcting one verb and overlooking the others — answer choices like B and D are designed to catch exactly that mistake.

Question 5

All of the correspondence from the regional offices are archived, but all of the attached forms is stored separately.

Which revision correctly accounts for the different nouns represented by the indefinite pronoun all?

  1. All of the correspondence from the regional offices are archived, but all of the attached forms are stored separately.
  2. All of the correspondence from the regional offices is archived, but all of the attached forms are stored separately. (correct answer)
  3. All of the correspondence from the regional offices is archived, but all of the attached forms is stored separately.
  4. All of the correspondence from the regional offices are archived, but all of the attached forms is stored separately.
Explanation: When you see the word all in a sentence, you need to pause and ask: "All of what?" The pronoun all is indefinite, meaning its verb must agree with the noun in the prepositional phrase that follows it — not with all itself. This is the classic "of-phrase agreement" trap. Here's how it works: all of the correspondence requires a singular verb because correspondence is an uncountable (mass) noun — you can't say "one correspondence, two correspondences." Mass nouns always take singular verbs. Meanwhile, all of the forms requires a plural verb because forms is a countable plural noun. So the correctly revised sentence reads: "All of the correspondence...is archived, but all of the attached forms...are stored separately." That's choice B, and it correctly matches each verb to its governing noun. Choice A fails because it keeps are with correspondence ("correspondence are archived"), which violates singular agreement for a mass noun. Choice C makes the opposite error on the second clause — it pairs forms with the singular is, ignoring that forms is a countable plural. Choice D is actually the original sentence's error pattern in reverse order: it incorrectly uses are with correspondence and is with forms, getting both clauses wrong. A useful strategy: whenever all of the   appears, mentally substitute just the noun after of and ask whether it's countable and plural or uncountable/singular. That noun — not all — controls the verb. Watch for this pattern especially in sentences with two all clauses, where each clause may demand a different verb form.

Question 6

Nobody except the two lead designers know whether anyone in the satellite offices have access to the revised files.

Which revision correctly establishes agreement in both the main and embedded clauses?

  1. Nobody except the two lead designers know whether anyone in the satellite offices have access to the revised files.
  2. Nobody except the two lead designers knows whether anyone in the satellite offices has access to the revised files. (correct answer)
  3. Nobody except the two lead designers knows whether anyone in the satellite offices have access to the revised files.
  4. Nobody except the two lead designers know whether anyone in the satellite offices has access to the revised files.
Explanation: When a sentence contains multiple clauses, you must check subject-verb agreement independently in each one — a mistake in one clause doesn't excuse a mistake in another. Start with the main clause: "Nobody except the two lead designers know/knows..." The subject is nobody, an indefinite pronoun that is always singular, regardless of any prepositional phrase that follows. The phrase "except the two lead designers" is a modifier, not part of the subject — strip it away and you're left with Nobody   whether, which demands the singular verb knows. Now check the embedded (subordinate) clause: "whether anyone in the satellite offices have/has access..." Here the subject is anyone, another indefinite pronoun that is always singular. It requires the singular verb has, not have. This makes B the only choice that fixes both errors simultaneously. A is wrong on both counts — know and have are both plural verbs paired with singular indefinite-pronoun subjects. This is the original, uncorrected sentence. C fixes the main clause (knows is correct) but leaves the embedded clause broken — anyone...have is still a subject-verb mismatch. D corrects the embedded clause (has is right) but leaves nobody...know broken in the main clause. Study tip: Memorize that the most common indefinite pronouns — nobody, no one, anyone, everyone, somebody, each — are always singular. On agreement questions, actively look for distractors that bait you with nearby plural nouns; those nouns are never the true subject.

Question 7

Either of the revised schedules are workable, and each of the listed supervisors have approved both versions.

Which revision correctly establishes agreement with both indefinite pronouns?

  1. Either of the revised schedules are workable, and each of the listed supervisors have approved both versions.
  2. Either of the revised schedules is workable, and each of the listed supervisors have approved both versions.
  3. Either of the revised schedules are workable, and each of the listed supervisors has approved both versions.
  4. Either of the revised schedules is workable, and each of the listed supervisors has approved both versions. (correct answer)
Explanation: When you see indefinite pronouns like either, each, everyone, or neither acting as subjects, you need to recognize that these words are always singular — they require singular verbs, regardless of what follows them in a prepositional phrase. This is the core trap in this question. The phrases "of the revised schedules" and "of the listed supervisors" are prepositional phrases that modify the pronouns, not the grammatical subjects. English grammar requires you to mentally strip those phrases away and match the verb to the pronoun itself. For the first clause: Either (singular) → needs "is," not "are." For the second clause: Each (singular) → needs "has," not "have." That makes D the correct answer — both verbs are properly singular, "is" and "has." A gets both wrong, using "are" with either and "have" with each. It represents the most common error: letting a nearby plural noun ("schedules," "supervisors") pull the verb into plural form. B fixes either correctly with "is," but leaves "have" with each — only half the problem is solved. C does the opposite: it correctly pairs "has" with each, but still uses "are" with either, leaving that error unaddressed. A reliable study tip: whenever you see either, each, neither, everyone, someone, or anyone, mentally replace the pronoun with "one" before choosing your verb. "One of the schedules is workable" — you'd never say "are," and that clarity helps you resist the plural distractor that follows in the prepositional phrase.

Question 8

None of the equipment stored in the three lockers are insured, and none of it have been inventoried.

Which revision uses agreement appropriate for the meaning of none in both clauses?

  1. None of the equipment stored in the three lockers are insured, and none of it have been inventoried.
  2. None of the equipment stored in the three lockers is insured, and none of it have been inventoried.
  3. None of the equipment stored in the three lockers is insured, and none of it has been inventoried. (correct answer)
  4. None of the equipment stored in the three lockers are insured, and none of it has been inventoried.
Explanation: When you see none in a sentence, ask yourself: does it refer to a mass (uncountable) noun or to individual countable items? That distinction controls subject-verb agreement throughout the sentence. Here, the first clause uses none of the equipment. "Equipment" is an uncountable mass noun — you can't count individual "equipments" — so none functions as a singular subject and demands the singular verb is insured. The second clause uses none of it, where "it" refers back to that same uncountable equipment, so again the singular applies: has been inventoried. Choice C — "None of the equipment...is insured, and none of it has been inventoried" — correctly applies singular agreement in both clauses, making it the right answer. Choice A keeps both verbs plural (are, have), which would only be defensible if none referred to countable individuals (e.g., "none of the workers"). Since equipment is uncountable, both verbs are wrong. Choice B fixes the first verb (is) but leaves the second verb as have, creating inconsistency — and have is incorrect for the same reason the plural was wrong in A. Choice D reverses the error in B: the second verb is correctly singular (has), but the first verb reverts to the plural are, leaving the first clause broken. A useful strategy: when none precedes an uncountable noun (water, equipment, furniture), treat it as singular automatically. When it precedes a plural countable noun (none of the workers), both singular and plural can be acceptable in modern usage — but the exam will usually test the uncountable case, where singular is required.

Question 9

Everyone in the two advanced workshops have completed the safety module but still need a supervisor's signature.

Which revision correctly establishes subject-verb agreement throughout the sentence?

  1. Everyone in the two advanced workshops has completed the safety module but still needs a supervisor's signature. (correct answer)
  2. Everyone in the two advanced workshops have completed the safety module but still need a supervisor's signature.
  3. Everyone in the two advanced workshops has completed the safety module but still need a supervisor's signature.
  4. Everyone in the two advanced workshops have completed the safety module but still needs a supervisor's signature.
Explanation: When a sentence uses an indefinite pronoun like everyone, someone, anyone, or nobody, you must remember one critical rule: these pronouns are always grammatically singular, no matter how many people they seem to refer to. This question tests whether you can maintain that agreement consistently across an entire sentence, not just at the first verb. In this sentence, everyone is the subject. Both verbs tied to it — the one in the main clause and the one following but still — must be singular. The correct forms are has completed and needs, giving you: Everyone...has completed the safety module but still needs a supervisor's signature. That's answer A, the only choice where both verbs are singular and properly agree with everyone. Here's where each wrong answer breaks down: B uses have completed and need, making both verbs plural — a double error. C correctly fixes the first verb to has completed but then lapses back to the plural need, creating an inconsistency that violates agreement in the second clause. D does the opposite: it keeps the plural have completed in the first clause while correctly using needs in the second — again, only half right. The trap the question is setting is that two advanced workshops appears between the subject and the verbs. That prepositional phrase can make workshops (plural) feel like the subject, tempting you toward plural verbs. Always strip the sentence down to its core subject first. Study tip: When you spot everyone, anyone, someone, or no one, immediately flag it as singular and check every verb in the sentence, not just the first one.

Question 10

Everyone assigned to registration and someone from security is listed on the roster and receives a radio.

Which revision correctly accounts for the structure of the complete subject?

  1. Everyone assigned to registration and someone from security is listed on the roster and receives a radio.
  2. Everyone assigned to registration and someone from security are listed on the roster and receive a radio. (correct answer)
  3. Everyone assigned to registration and someone from security is listed on the roster and receive a radio.
  4. Everyone assigned to registration and someone from security are listed on the roster and receives a radio.
Explanation: When a subject contains two or more elements joined by "and," subject-verb agreement requires a plural verb — this is the compound subject rule. The tricky part here is recognizing that indefinite pronouns like everyone and someone are individually singular, which can tempt you into treating the whole subject as singular. Don't fall for it. Once you join two noun phrases with "and," you've created a compound subject, and that compound subject takes plural verbs regardless of whether each part sounds singular on its own. In this sentence, "Everyone assigned to registration and someone from security" is a compound subject. It needs plural verbs throughout. The two predicates — "listed on the roster" and "receives/receive a radio" — must both agree with that plural compound subject, giving you are listed and receive. That's exactly what choice B provides, making it the correct revision. Choice A (the original) uses the singular "is listed" and "receives," treating the compound subject as if it were singular — a classic agreement error. Choice C uses singular "is listed" but then switches to plural "receive," creating an inconsistent split that partially corrects the error but leaves the first verb wrong. Choice D flips that inconsistency: it correctly uses plural "are listed" but then reverts to singular "receives" for the second predicate, again leaving one verb wrong. A useful strategy: whenever you spot two subjects joined by "and," mentally substitute the word "they" — if "they" fits logically, your verb should be plural. Both verbs in parallel predicates must match that same subject, so check every verb in the sentence, not just the first one.