Dear Susan,
Could you help me, please?
Which is correct :'do' or 'does' + any+ countables?
Do any of your students speak English? or Does any of your students speak English?
What are the rules of verb-noun agreement, especially with none, any, etc.?
Thank you, Marina
Russia
Which is correct: Do any or Does any?
Moderator: Joe
Do any or Does any?
Dear Marina,
In the sentences you give, the first is correct.
Do any of your students speak English?
This is considered to be plural because it's possible that a large number of the students speak English.
However, you would say:
Does anybody speak English?
Anybody always takes a singular verb. The same goes for nobody, somebody and everybody.
None can be used with a singular or plural verb, depending on what it refers to.
Is there any cheese left? No, there's none left. Cheese is uncountable and takes a singular verb. So does none.
Are there any chocolates left? No, there are none left. Chocolates are countable and take a plural verb.In this instance none also takes a plural verb.
I hope this will help you.
Best wishes
Lucy
In the sentences you give, the first is correct.
Do any of your students speak English?
This is considered to be plural because it's possible that a large number of the students speak English.
However, you would say:
Does anybody speak English?
Anybody always takes a singular verb. The same goes for nobody, somebody and everybody.
None can be used with a singular or plural verb, depending on what it refers to.
Is there any cheese left? No, there's none left. Cheese is uncountable and takes a singular verb. So does none.
Are there any chocolates left? No, there are none left. Chocolates are countable and take a plural verb.In this instance none also takes a plural verb.
I hope this will help you.
Best wishes
Lucy
Lucy is the author of Lucy Pollard's Guide to Teaching English