None: Always use a singular verb?

I had written "None of the items below appears directly on the page, but instead is used to calculate..."

Well, that seems awkward. I wondered, could I get away with “None of the items below appear directly on the page, but instead are used to calculate…”?

I was happy to learn that the answer is Yes. Modern grammarians seem to agree that, in instances like mine where the prepositional phrase contains a plural, none can and perhaps should be treated as plural. Don’t miss the American Heritage Dictionary example in this grammar FAQ.

Comments

[Julie Margulies]

So, the Webster's Dictionary of English Usage -- a fabulous book -- agrees with you and says, "Clearly, none has been both singular and plural since Old English and still is. and it goes on .....