None of the lights are OR none of the lights is?

[Stupy]

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #145 "Using Adjectives (1)", question 7

I can't see anything because none of the lights are on in here. It's too ......... to see.

(a) shiny
(b) bright
(c) distinct
(d) dark

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #145 "Using Adjectives (1)", answer 7

I can't see anything because none of the lights are on in here. It's too dark to see.

Correct answer: (d) dark

Your answer was: correct
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none of the lights are OR
none of the lights is

please help...

hacker

[Linda]

Hi Hacker,
That's a good question and the answer is "none of the lights are."
I say it's a good question because many people have argued about this point throughout history.
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary "on modern usage ..... it appears that writers generally make it singular or plural according to whatever their idea is when they write."
In this case, the idea is 'lights.' Therefore, "are" is used in this sentence.
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