Need help ASAP: None has or None have?

Roly · Jan 28, 2010

I've got two sentences:

None has dared to for centuries

None have dared to for centuries.

Or should it even be None ha(s/ve) dared for centuries?

Ugh.

Bonus question: Starting a sentence with "but". Especially in a query - is that looked down upon?

Brandy · Jan 28, 2010

I would go with none have
or no one has

WildScribe · Jan 28, 2010

Brandy said:
I would go with none have
or no one has

Yup.

Sounds right to me.

Roly · Jan 28, 2010

It always confuses me why that is, but none have sounds good to me.

Also starting a question with But - okay in a query?

blacbird · Jan 28, 2010

Brandy said:
I would go with none have
or no one has

I'd amend this to just "no one has". It's unequivocal and straightforward. Sometimes avoiding the problem is simpler and easier than fussing over it.

caw

Kisatchie · Jan 28, 2010

Either way can be correct. See the usage note following the etymology:

http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/none

Edit: The American Heritage Dictionary is your friend.

JulieHowe · Jan 28, 2010

Or should it even be None ha(s/ve) dared for centuries?

My preference is 'None have dared for centuries.'

Snowstorm · Jan 28, 2010

Roly said:
Bonus question: Starting a sentence with "but". Especially in a query - is that looked down upon?

According to the Chicago Manual of Style, 15th Edition: starting with a conjuction, "but," is fine. Although it does caution the writer to ensure that "but" is the correct word.

Need help ASAP: None has or None have?

Roly

silly puppy monster

Brandy

I swear by my pretty floral bonnet

WildScribe

Slave to the Wordcount

Roly

silly puppy monster

blacbird

Kisatchie

I stop at railroad crossings

JulieHowe

Spent the night with Jack Daniels

Snowstorm

Baby plot bunneh sniffs out a clue