[Grammar] Is or Are any...

[dido4]

_____ any of them going to the UK next Monday?

A) Is B) Are

Which one is correct? Why?

 

[GoesStation]

Is "them" singular or plural?

 

[teechar]

Either one is possible. If you're asking about one person, use the singular "is"; otherwise, use "are".

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I'm for Are.

 

[teechar]

To those who think that only "are" works, consider this:

A review of a film about a group of friends (a few males and one female) and their complex relationships.

The drama intensifies, and love is in the air. ______ any of them going to marry her? Watch and find out.

To me, "is" (not "are") is correct and natural in the above.

 

[Yankee]

For me, regardless of how vague, context is important especially with "any".

 

[Tdol]

I'm for Are.

As a general question without further context, so am I.

 

[Tdol]

The drama intensifies, and love is in the air. ______ any of them going to marry her? Watch and find out.

To me, "is" (not "are") is correct and natural in the above.

And in the OP's post?

 

[teechar]

Both are possible. I repeat: If the speaker has one person in mind, then obviously the singular "is" would be the right choice; otherwise, I'd use "are". Context is all important.

 

[Tarheel]

You can rephrase the sentence and say:

Is one of them going to marry her?

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

To those who think that only "are" works, consider this:

A review of a film about a group of friends (a few males and one female) and their complex relationships.

The drama intensifies, and love is in the air. ______ any of them going to marry her? Watch and find out.

To me, "is" (not "are") is correct and natural in the above.

I'd rather see "Is one of them going to marry her?" or "Will one of them marry her?"

Maybe it's the "of them" that makes it seem plural to me.

I hear one, someone, somebody, and anybody as singular and some, and all as plural. Any is a gray area. Here, it sounds plural to me. But in "Is there any sentence where singular works?" singular works.

So I wouldn't fault anyone for going the other way. Anyhow, why sweat the small stuff?