everyone was or everyone were

Art Scpae

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16-10-2024

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Everyone Was or Everyone Were: Unraveling the Mystery of Collective Pronouns

The English language can be a tricky beast, especially when it comes to subject-verb agreement. One common point of contention is the use of "everyone" and whether it should be followed by "was" or "were." This article aims to clear up the confusion once and for all, providing you with the knowledge to confidently use "everyone" in your writing.

The Answer: "Everyone Was"

The correct verb form to use with "everyone" is "was." This is because "everyone" is a singular pronoun, even though it refers to a group of people. Think of it as a collective noun, representing all the individuals as one unit.

Why This Matters

Understanding this concept is crucial for maintaining grammatical accuracy and clarity in your writing. Using the incorrect verb form can lead to ambiguity and make your writing appear unprofessional.

Examples from Real-World Conversations

Let's delve into some practical examples, using insights from real-world discussions on GitHub:

• From GitHub Issue: "I'm not sure why everyone was having trouble with this feature." - This user correctly uses "was" with "everyone" as the singular subject.

• From GitHub Discussion: "I think everyone was excited about the new release!" - This individual showcases the correct usage of "was" for a singular pronoun.

Beyond the Basics

While the basic rule of using "was" with "everyone" is straightforward, it's important to remember that English grammar can sometimes be a bit more nuanced.

Situations Where "Were" Might Seem Correct

• Informal Speech: In casual conversation, you might hear people say "everyone were" out of habit or colloquialism. This doesn't make it grammatically correct, but it's worth noting the difference between formal and informal speech.
• Emphasizing Individuals: If you want to emphasize the individual members of a group, you might use "were" even though it's technically incorrect. For example, "Everyone were completely exhausted after the marathon." This sentence, while not technically correct, emphasizes the individual exhaustion of each participant.

Summing Up

While "everyone" might seem like it should be plural, remember that it functions as a singular pronoun. The correct verb form to use with "everyone" is "was." Understanding this rule will help you write clear, concise, and grammatically accurate sentences.