none

Since none is derived from not one, a long-standing rule provides that it should always be followed by a singular verb: "None of us is planning to go." Unfortunately for the sake of simplicity, this rule is neither grammatical nor logical; none can mean "not any" and "no amount" at least as often as it does "not one." A more sensible rule is this: think of none as a plural unless a good reason exists to regard it as singular. When none is followed by a singular noun, then the verb should be singular: "None of the money was paid to us." If you wish to stress the idea of a singular, then use a singular verb: "We were packed in the bus but none was hurt when we crashed." (Here none is emphasized as not one, but the sentence might better have employed not one or no one if the sense is to be "nobody at all.") And what about a statement such as this: "We have been holding discussions for weeks, but none has succeeded." It's not likely that "one discussion" is meant. Recommendation: always follow none with a verb in the singular when the clear and unmistakable meaning of none is "not one" or "no one." In all other situations, use a plural verb. Illustrations: "None (that is, not one) of us has any desire to read." "None of the clothing (singular noun) is clean." "None are more pitiable than the small children wounded by bombs." "None of my teachers was (or were) really interested in me." Remember that verbs and related pronouns should agree in number: "None has his hat on." "None have their hats on."