Final answer:
In English, most indefinite pronouns generally take a singular verb, while some take a plural verb or agree in number with the noun they refer to. The connotation of words affects the tone and appropriateness in different contexts, with some words being informal for academic writing.
Step-by-step explanation:
Indefinite Pronouns and Verb Agreement
Understanding how indefinite pronouns work in English can be complex. Most indefinite pronouns take a singular verb, including words such as anybody, anyone, anything, and nobody. For example, 'Nobody among the accused suspects admits to the crime.' However, there are indefinite pronouns that take a plural verb, such as both, few, and several. 'Several of the athletes on the team come from the same high school' demonstrates this usage.
In cases where an indefinite pronoun can refer to a singular or plural noun, the verb agrees in number with the actual noun referred to. Words like all, any, and some fall into this category. The sentence 'Most of the class has proposed researching a topic related to climate change' uses a singular verb because 'most' refers to the singular noun 'class'. In contrast, 'Most of the students have proposed researching a topic related to climate change' uses a plural verb because 'most' refers to the plural noun 'students'.
Moreover, the connotation of words can impact the tone of your writing, especially in academic contexts. Words with informal connotations, such as 'dude', may not be suitable for formal essays. Connotations can be positive, negative, or neutral, and choosing the appropriate level of formality is crucial for effective communication.