Clarifying the Correct Usage of 'Which All' and 'Which Are All'
When it comes to using pronouns like which and all correctly in English, many people find it challenging to determine the proper form. This article aims to simplify the confusion surrounding the correct usage of which all and which are all, and highlight why All are correct is the proper form.
Understanding Singular and Plural Pronouns
Singular Indefinite Pronouns refer to a single, non-specific person or thing. These pronouns are used to represent one person, animal, or object, and they typically take singular verbs. Examples include one, each, another, somebody, someone, nobody, someone, anyone, and nothing.
Examples of Singular Indefinite Pronouns
Each student has completed the assignment.
Someone has taken my book.
Anybody can do this task if they try their best.
Applying the Rule to 'Which'
Since which is a singular indefinite pronoun, it should be followed by a singular verb. In contrast, all is a plural pronoun, taking plural verbs unless which is used specifically to refer to a singular set of things, as in All of it.
Consider the following examples:
Correct Usage
Which student has finished the homework? (Singular)
Which book should I read? (Singular)
Incorrect Usage
Grammatically speaking, saying Which all students have finished the homework? would be incorrect, as it mixes the singular form of which with the plural noun students and the plural verb have.
Correct Sentence Structure
To construct a grammatically correct sentence, you must ensure that the pronouns and verbs agree in number. In the context of students, the correct form would be:
Correct Sentence
Which students have finished the homework? (Plural)
Absence of Redundancy
Investigating the phrase all of which are, we find that it is used when you are specifically referring to all members of a set of objects or individuals. For example:
If you have a class of 30 students, and you want to say that five of them have perfect attendance, you would use:
Five of which students have perfect attendance. (Note: Adding the article 'which' here is a stylistic choice but not strictly necessary)
Context-Specific Usage
When questions arise about the correct form of sentences involving all and are all, it's crucial to consider the context and specificity of the situation. Here are some examples to illustrate this:
Example 1: Sentences Structured Without Confusion
How many kids graduate this year?
All my kids. (Correct)
All are my kids. (Correct, though less commonly used)
Example 2: Using 'All of' for Redundancy
How many graduate this year?
All of them are good students. (Correct)
The kids graduate all. (Correct but awkward)
Conclusion
In summary, the correct form is All are correct. When using all as a plural pronoun, it requires a plural verb. For singular uses, such as all of it, the verb should be singular. Understanding these rules ensures clarity and precision in your writing and speech, making your communications effective and understandable.