r to _their_
memory.--STIRLING.

But I enjoy the company and conversation of its inhabitants, when
_any_ of them _are_ so good as to visit me.--FRANKLIN.

Do you think, when I spoke anon of the ghosts of Pryor's
children, I mean that _any_ of them _are_ dead?--THACKERAY.

In earlier Modern English, _any_ was often singular; as,--

If _any_, speak; for _him_ have I offended.--SHAKESPEARE.

If _any_ of you lack wisdom, let _him_ ask of God.--_Bible_.

Very rarely the singular is met with in later times; as,--

Here is a poet doubtless as much affected by his own descriptions
as _any_ that _reads_ them can be.--BURKE.

[Sidenote: _Caution_.]

The above instances are to be distinguished from the adjective _any_,
which is plural as often as singular.

[Sidenote: None _usually plural_.]

424. The adjective pronoun none is, in the prose of the present
day, usually plural, although it is historically a contraction of _ne
an_ (not one). Examples of its use are,--

In earnest, if ever man was; as _none_ of the French philosophers
_were_.--CARLYLE.

_None_ of Nature's powers _do_ better service.--PROF. DANA

One man answers some question which _none_ of his contemporaries
_put_, and is isolated.--EMERSON.

_None obey_ the command of duty so well as those who are free
from the observance of slavish bondage.--SCOTT.

Do you think, when I spoke anon of the ghosts of Pryor's
children, I mean that any of them are dead? _None are_, that I
know of.--THACKERAY.

Early apples begin to be ripe about the first of August; but I
think _none_ of them _are_ so good to eat as some to
smell.--THOREAU.

The singular use of _none_ is often found in the Bible; as,--

_None_ of them _was_ cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.--LUKE iv
27

Also the singular is sometimes found in present-day English in prose,
and less rarely in poetry; for example,--

Perhaps _none_ of our Presidents since Washington _has_ stood so
firm in the confidence of the people.--LOWELL

In signal _none his_ steed should spare.--SCOTT

Like the use of _any_, the pronoun _none_ should be distinguished from
the adjective _none_, which is used absolutely, and hence is more
likely to confuse the student.

Compare with the above the following sentences having the adjective
_none_:--

Reflecting a summer evening sky