Everybody is/are ?

[birgit33]

Why does one have to say : "everybody is" instead of "everybody are" ? Everybody means more than one persons, so "are" would be a more logical choice ?

 

[Rover_KE]

Everybody means each one, so it's used as a singular pronoun.

'Everybody is happy.'

Rover

 

[TheParser]

Why does one have to say : "everybody is" instead of "everybody are" ? Everybody means more than one persons, so "are" would be a more logical choice ?

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


(1) Yes, you correct: "everybody" is, logically speaking, plural.

(2) But if you carefully look at the word, you will notice that it was originally two

words: Every body has one nose.

(3) And, yes, I believe that native speakers often consider it as a plural:

Tom: Is everybody here?

Martha: Yes, they are. (Instead of: Yes, he or she is.)

***

Mona: Everybody loves ice cream, don't they? (Instead of: doesn't he or she?)

(4) As you know, humans invented language. And since humans are not

perfect (!), their languages cannot be perfect, either.

UPDATE: I have just noticed that I forgot to write "are" in my first sentence.

That is why the teachers remind us non-teachers to carefully proofread before

posting. I apologize.

 

[tedtmc]

Everybody loves ice cream, don't they?

I am curious, what is the correct question tag for such a clause with everybody?

 

[5jj]

I am curious, what is the correct question tag for such a clause with everybody?

The one you used is acceptable these days.