Do we say everyone is or are?

The Singular Secret of “Everyone”: Is or Are?

The seemingly simple question of whether to use “is” or “are” with “everyone” trips up even seasoned writers. While the word implies a multitude of people, its grammatical function dictates a singular verb. The correct form is always “everyone is.”

The key lies in understanding the nature of “everyone” itself. Unlike collective nouns like “team” or “family,” which can take either singular or plural verbs depending on context (e.g., “The team is winning” vs. “The team are arguing amongst themselves”), “everyone” functions as a singular, indivisible unit. Think of it as a shorthand for “every single person.” Each individual within the group is considered separately, but the word itself remains grammatically singular. This is similar to words like “everybody,” “anyone,” “someone,” and “no one,” all of which require singular verbs.

Consider the following examples:

• Correct: Everyone is responsible for their own actions.
• Incorrect: Everyone are responsible for their own actions.

The incorrect version sounds jarring because it violates the fundamental rule of subject-verb agreement. The singular subject “everyone” demands the singular verb “is.” The fact that “everyone” refers to multiple people doesn’t change its inherent singularity.

It’s crucial to remember that “everyone” exclusively refers to people. Attempting to use it with non-human entities is grammatically incorrect. For example, “Everyone in the garden is blooming” is wrong. In such cases, you’d need a different collective noun or a plural construction.

The temptation to use “are” often stems from the intuitive sense that we’re talking about many individuals. However, grammar dictates that we focus on the grammatical subject itself – “everyone” – which is unequivocally singular. By remembering this simple rule, you can confidently and accurately use “everyone is” in your writing, avoiding a common grammatical pitfall. The next time you encounter this construction, remember the singular secret of “everyone” and confidently choose “is.”