Surely the the HMRC Tax Return Form should be grammatically correct?

[SpeedyGonzalez]

While filling in my tax return I noticed these errors:

"If none of them apply, please select the box 'None of these apply'." - instead of "applies"

"I am a practicing barrister." - instead of "practising".

I know this is extremely pedantic, and I'd never pick up on an individual's errors like this. However, surely HMRC should be able to get this stuff right?

Tsk. 40 lines to HMRC. To the power of 1 million.

Not sure about "practicing", could relate to a barrister "in practice"? But "apply" is correct IMO- none of these things, plural, apply?

No, we use the 'c' in the noun form: a practice. But the verb is 'ise' - 'to practise'.

And in "none of these", the verb refers to 'none', i.e. 'not one'. We'd say "Not one of these applies."

I admit I am being pedantic (but hey, this is the Pedant's Corner) but it's rather sloppy of them.

Very sloppy indeed.

I think you should refuse to pay your taxes, as a protest .

This is bothering me now. I know I am being pedantic in the extreme too and I agree with you about the use of practicing rather than practising, but I still think apply can be correct, as could applies...because there is no solid definition of none - ie it could be referring to the different circumstances as a group, "apply" or individually "applies"?

Any other opinions?! We need an expert - apologies Speedy, if you are one!

I think you'll find that "none" is short for "not one" and hence always takes the singular verb.

Apply is correct IMO - none is a singular noun. Practicing is wrong.

What have you started speedy ?

Aaaarrrrgggghhhh! So sorry! I'm normally such an easy-going lass, but when it comes to institutional grammatical transgressions I turn into a tiger! I am sort of an expert, as a former English teacher.

Amother - actually I think 'none' is an adverb or adjective. It's definitely not a noun, though. It's too late and I'm too tired to search online, but I will do so tomorrow!

streaky - what a fine idea!

I correct spelling errors when I am filling in forms. In red. The offer letter I received when I changed jobs referred to my employer's "equal opportunity's policy". Needless to say, I corrected that on the copy I had to sign and return.

None is a quantifying preposition (I think...) and it 'should' take a singular verb because it means 'not one'. So 'applies' would be correct. But I believe the plural verb is also acceptable these days.

Practising should be spelt with an 's' in British English. US English uses the 'c' for the noun and the verb.

Gasp! I did that today, Whiterose!

Midnight - ooh, you know yer grammar, don'tcha?!

Innit.

But I have a frightfully tedious job as a result .

When I was applying for DD's place for Reception I was filling in the section with her details (name address etc) and took great glee in filling in the box asking for mobile phone number with "I think she's a bit young".

Oh how I chortled.

Chaos, I would do that as well!

Midnight: Is dat!