grammar question!!

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

<p>As I was perusing through the Wall Street Journal, I happened to venture across this awkardly written sentence:</p>

<p>''But none of these influences is likely to have much effect on gasoline prices or oil consumption in the near term.''</p>

<p>Now if I remember correctly, there is a rule which states that when there is ''some, all most, any none'' you refer to the closest subject to see whether it is plural or singular, and go according to that. For example, influences is plural, thus 'are' should be used instead of 'is'. No? Oh yes, ''some, all, most, any none'' are neither singular nor plural. Can someone clarify this dilemma for me?</p>

2

<p>yes i'm pretty sure it should be 'are'</p>

3

<p>I believe "is" is correct. None is "Not one" and therefore a singular pronoun.</p>

<p>When in doubt. Replace None with Not one and re-read.</p>

<p>But not one of these influences is likely to have much effect on...... yada yada</p>

<p>is and are both work</p>

4

<p>I mean Barron's - HOW TO PREPARE TO THE SATII WRITING,
p.165 (rephrased):</p>

<p>When a singular noun is used with any, none, some, all, and most, a singular verb is required:
"None of the meal tastes good." - this is obvious.</p>

<p>Plural - plural:
"None of my buddies are going to take the SAT this Saturday (yellow bellies!)."</p>