Is it 'everyone is' or 'everyone are'?

The correct form is 'everyone is' because 'everyone' is a singular indefinite pronoun.

Why is 'everyone' singular?

Words like everyone, everybody, someone, and anyone are indefinite pronouns that refer to each person individually, making them grammatically singular.

'Everyone is' is correct in almost all cases. The only common exception is with tag questions, where speakers often say 'Everyone is here, aren't they?' using 'they' instead of 'he or she' for the pronoun - but the verb after 'everyone' itself always stays singular ('is', 'has', 'was').

Everyone Is or Are? Singular Verbs and Their Explained

Quick Answer

The correct form is "everyone is."

Although "everyone" refers to multiple people, it is grammatically singular and takes a singular verb.

Explanation

Everyone is an indefinite pronoun. Indefinite pronouns ending in -one, -body, or -thing are always grammatically singular, even when they refer to multiple people.

Rule: Everyone/Everybody/Someone/Anyone + singular verb (is/has/does)

Similar words that follow this rule:

everyone, everybody
someone, somebody
anyone, anybody
no one, nobody
everything, something, anything, nothing

Examples

✔Everyone is ready for the meeting.

✔Everybody knows the answer.

✔Someone has taken my pen.

✘Everyone are ready for the meeting.

Common Mistake

Incorrect: Everyone are waiting outside.

Correct: Everyone is waiting outside.

Keep verb agreement separate from pronoun reference

Everyone points to all the people in a situation, but its grammar is singular. Replacing it with a different subject changes agreement: everyone is ready, while all the students are ready. They and their can refer back to everyone without turning the original subject into a plural noun.

Grammar patterns with explanations
Pattern	Example	Why it works
Everyone	Everyone is waiting outside.	A singular indefinite pronoun takes is.
All + plural noun	All the students are waiting outside.	Students is a plural subject.
Question	Is everyone waiting outside?	Keep is when changing the word order.
Past tense	Everyone was waiting outside.	The same agreement distinction applies to was and were.
Every one of	Every one of the students is here.	Every one emphasizes individual members; it still takes is.

Five practice questions with explanations

Try each sentence before opening its answer. Explain the rule aloud, then write a similar sentence of your own.

Everyone ___ welcome. (is / are)
Show answer and explanation
is
Everyone takes a singular verb.
All the guests ___ welcome. (is / are)
Show answer and explanation
are
The subject is the plural noun guests.
___ everyone ready to leave? (Is / Are)
Show answer and explanation
Is
A question changes word order, not agreement.
Every one of these seats ___ occupied. (is / are)
Show answer and explanation
is
Every one is singular; seats is inside the of phrase.
Correct this sentence: Everyone are bringing their lunch.
Show answer and explanation
Everyone is bringing their lunch.
Use is with everyone. Singular their is an acceptable reference.

Reference: Cambridge: everyone and singular verbs. Examples and exercises are written for this lesson.