Any of Them Is or Are? (Singular or Plural)

Navigating the nuances of English grammar can sometimes feel like traversing a minefield. One common point of confusion arises when we use the word “any” followed by a plural noun or pronoun, specifically concerning subject-verb agreement. The question of whether to use a singular or plural verb often hinges on subtle contextual clues and established grammatical rules.

This particular grammatical quandary, “any of them is or are,” frequently trips up even fluent speakers. Understanding the underlying principles will equip you to handle these constructions with confidence, ensuring your writing and speech are both accurate and clear.

The Indefinite Nature of “Any”

The word “any” itself carries an inherent sense of indefiniteness. It refers to one or more of a group, but without specifying which one or how many. This ambiguity is central to why its agreement rules can be tricky.

When “any” is used to refer to a singular item or concept, it takes a singular verb. For instance, “Is any of the cake left?” clearly asks about a singular quantity.

However, when “any” refers to a plural noun or pronoun, the situation becomes more complex and depends heavily on the intended meaning.

“Any” with Plural Nouns: The Core Dilemma

The most common scenario where “any of them is or are” arises is when “any” is followed by a plural pronoun like “them” or “them,” or a plural noun. In these cases, the verb choice often reflects whether the speaker or writer is thinking of the items individually or as a collective group.

Grammarians often point to the singular verb as the generally preferred choice when “any” precedes a plural noun or pronoun. This is because “any” is often treated as a singular pronoun in such constructions, even though it refers to members of a larger, plural group. The emphasis is on “any single one” from the group.

Consider the sentence: “Any of these books is suitable for the assignment.” Here, the singular verb “is” agrees with “any,” implying that each individual book, when considered alone, meets the criteria.

Conversely, a plural verb might be used if the context strongly emphasizes the collective nature or the interaction among the members of the group. However, this usage is less common and can sometimes be considered informal or even grammatically questionable by strict prescriptivists.

Context is King: Unpacking the Meaning

The ultimate determinant of verb agreement with “any” followed by a plural is the specific context and the intended meaning. If the sentence focuses on individual members of the group, a singular verb is typically appropriate.

For example, “Are any of the students present?” implies a question about each individual student. The expected answer would be yes or no for each person, or a general statement about whether even one is there.

If the focus shifts to the group as a whole, or the possibility of multiple members being involved, the plural verb might feel more natural to some speakers, though the singular remains technically sound.

The key takeaway is to analyze what “any” is truly signifying within the sentence’s framework. Is it about one instance, or the potential for multiple instances acting together?

“Any” as a Singular Pronoun

In many grammatical analyses, “any” functions as a singular indefinite pronoun when it stands alone or refers to an unspecified quantity of something that is uncountable or treated as a single unit.

Think of phrases like “I don’t have any money.” Here, “any” refers to an amount, which is singular. The sentence “Is there any sugar left?” also treats “any” as singular.

This singular treatment extends to contexts where “any” precedes a plural noun or pronoun, leading to the common recommendation of using a singular verb.

The rule of thumb is to default to the singular verb unless the context overwhelmingly demands a plural interpretation, and even then, caution is advised.

“Any” with Uncountable Nouns

When “any” is used with uncountable nouns, it almost always takes a singular verb because uncountable nouns are inherently singular in form.

Examples include: “Do you have any advice?” or “Is there any water in the bottle?” In both cases, “any” refers to a quantity of something that cannot be counted, and the verb correctly remains singular.

This consistency with uncountable nouns reinforces the tendency for “any” to align with singular verbs, even when the surrounding words might suggest plurality.

The grammatical treatment of “any” often hinges on whether it represents a single, unspecified item or a general quantity.

The Role of Collective Nouns

The presence of collective nouns (e.g., team, committee, family) can sometimes complicate subject-verb agreement. However, when “any” precedes a collective noun, the same principles generally apply.

If the sentence focuses on the individual members of the collective, a plural verb might seem appropriate, but the singular verb is usually preferred with “any.” For instance, “Any of the team members is capable of scoring.”

The singular verb “is” agrees with “any,” highlighting the individual capability of each member rather than the team’s collective strength.

This consistent application helps maintain clarity, even when dealing with group-oriented subjects.

Formal vs. Informal Usage

In formal writing and academic contexts, adhering to the singular verb agreement with “any” followed by a plural is generally recommended. This approach ensures a higher degree of grammatical precision and avoids potential ambiguity.

Informal speech, however, may exhibit more flexibility. Speakers might naturally opt for a plural verb if it sounds more fluid or if their mental model emphasizes the group’s plurality.

It’s important to be aware of these differences and to adjust your usage according to the audience and the setting.

For standardized tests, formal presentations, or professional documents, the singular verb is the safer and more widely accepted choice.

“Any” in Negative Sentences

In negative sentences, “any” often functions similarly to how it does in questions, referring to the absence of even one item from a group. The verb agreement typically follows the same patterns.

“None of the students are here” is a common construction, using a plural verb with “none.” However, “None of the students is here” is also grammatically correct, especially in formal contexts, treating “none” as singular.

When using “any” in a negative context, such as “I haven’t seen any of his recent films,” the verb “have seen” is plural because the subject is “I.” The agreement is with the pronoun preceding “any,” not with “any” itself.

This distinction highlights that sometimes the subject-verb agreement is determined by a pronoun other than “any.”

“Any” in Conditional Sentences

Conditional sentences often involve hypothetical situations, and the use of “any” within them can influence verb choice. The principle remains consistent: focus on the intended meaning.

Consider: “If any of the participants fails the test, they will need to retake the course.” Here, the singular verb “fails” aligns with “any,” focusing on the possibility of an individual failing.

The pronoun “they” later in the sentence refers back to the hypothetical individual who fails, maintaining a singular-plural correspondence that is common in such conditional structures.

This demonstrates how context, including sentence type, plays a crucial role in verb agreement.

The “Number” Rule: A Useful Heuristic

A helpful heuristic often taught is to consider the “number” of the noun or pronoun following “of.” If that noun or pronoun is plural, the verb choice with “any” can be debated, but the singular verb is generally preferred.

If the noun or pronoun is singular (e.g., “any of the water,” “any of the pie”), the verb is always singular (“is,” “was”). This reinforces the idea that “any” often aligns with singular agreement.

The confusion arises specifically when “any” is followed by a plural, like “any of them” or “any of the options.”

Remembering that “any” can stand for “any one” helps solidify the singular verb choice.

Examples Illustrating the Difference

To solidify understanding, let’s examine a few more contrasting examples. “Is any of the cookies stale?” uses a singular verb because the question is about the possibility of even one cookie being stale.

Now consider: “Are any of the cookies stale?” While some might use “are,” the more formally correct version, emphasizing individual cookies, would be “Is any of the cookies stale?” The singular verb “is” agrees with “any.”

The distinction often lies in whether you’re asking about the existence of *at least one* (singular verb) or implying a broader, less precise plural consideration (where plural *might* be used informally, but singular is preferred formally).

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

A common pitfall is automatically assuming a plural verb simply because the noun or pronoun following “any” is plural. This overlooks the grammatical function of “any” itself.

Another mistake is to overthink the sentence structure, leading to hesitation or incorrect choices. Sticking to the general rule of singular agreement with “any” when followed by a plural noun or pronoun often leads to the most grammatically sound construction.

Be mindful of subject-verb agreement throughout the entire sentence, ensuring that the verb agrees with its intended subject, which in these cases, is often “any.”

The Prescriptive vs. Descriptive Debate

Grammar rules, especially those concerning indefinite pronouns like “any,” often sit at the intersection of prescriptive (how language *should* be used) and descriptive (how language *is* actually used) approaches.

Prescriptively, the singular verb is the standard when “any” is followed by a plural. This is the rule taught in most grammar guides and expected in formal writing.

Descriptively, one might observe instances where native speakers use a plural verb. However, for clarity and correctness in most contexts, adhering to the prescriptive rule is advisable.

Understanding this dichotomy helps explain why different opinions or usages might exist.

The Power of Clarity in Communication

Ultimately, the goal of language is clear communication. While grammatical rules provide a framework, they also serve to prevent ambiguity.

Using the singular verb with “any” followed by a plural noun or pronoun generally enhances clarity by focusing on the individual possibility within a group.

Choosing the correct verb form ensures your message is understood precisely as intended, avoiding potential misinterpretations.

When in Doubt, Go Singular

If you find yourself uncertain about whether to use “is” or “are” after “any of them” or a similar construction, the safest and most grammatically sound approach is to use the singular verb.

This principle applies across most formal and academic settings. It reflects a more precise understanding of how “any” functions as an indefinite pronoun.

Consistency in applying this rule will build your confidence and improve the grammatical accuracy of your writing.