Everybody Is or Are? Which Is Correct?
Quick Answer
"Everybody is" is correct. "Everybody" is grammatically singular and takes singular verbs.
Why Is "Everybody" Singular?
Everybody = every single body (person) = each individual one by one
Although "everybody" refers to multiple people, it treats them as individuals rather than as a group. Think of it as "every single person" - emphasizing one person at a time.
Rule: Indefinite pronouns ending in -body, -one, or -thing are always singular: everybody, everyone, somebody, someone, anybody, anyone, nobody, everything, etc.
Examples
✔Everybody is welcome to the party.
✘Everybody are welcome to the party.
✔Everybody was surprised by the news.
✘Everybody were surprised by the news.
✔Everybody knows the answer.
✔Everybody has their own opinion.
Similar Singular Pronouns
All of these take singular verbs:
• everybody is• everyone is• somebody is• someone is• anybody is• anyone is• nobody is• no one is• everything is
Practice
Choose the correct verb:
"Everybody _____ excited about the upcoming vacation." (is/are)