Indefinite pronouns - S.A.N.A.M.

[chris.c.foley]

I'm having trouble understanding when S.A.N.A.M. pronouns get singular or plural verbs. For instance, which of the following is correct:

1. None of my students have been been able to complete the homework.

OR

2. None of my students has been been able to complete the homework.

Thanks!

[Willy]

I'm having trouble understanding when S.A.N.A.M. pronouns get singular or plural verbs. For instance, which of the following is correct:

1. None of my students have been been able to complete the homework.

OR

2. None of my students has been been able to complete the homework.

Thanks!

For SANAM pronouns just look at the "OF.... " construction.

if part after OF (highlighted above) is plural the verb must be plural
if part after OF is singular the verb must be singular

Here in your example, Option 1 is correct.

[jlucero]

None is definitely the trickiest of the SANAM pronouns. In fact, this is more of a debate for grammar geeks than GMAT students. Here's a post from Ron that talks about how it's used in both singular and plural forms on OG problems.

http://www.beatthegmat.com/sanam-pronouns-t17033.html

Moral of the story, don't freak out about it, as it probably will never be necessary for finding a correct answer in SC.

[Willy]

Thank you sir, The link provided by you is interesting! :)

[tim]

:)