None is not the short form of no one. None has been followed by both singular and plural verbs for more than 1000 years. All the following examples are correct:
- None of the apples has been eaten.
(singular verb/has)
None of the apples have been eaten.
(plural verb/have) - None of my children has blonde hair.
None of my children have blonde hair.
If almost is used as a modifier then none should be treated as a plural and followed by a plural verb.
Almost none of the apples has been eaten.
(singular verb/has)
Almost none of the apples have been eaten.
(plural verb/have)Almost none of my children has blonde hair.
Almost none of my children have blonde hair.
The amount zero is plural.
- 0 cats
(zero cats)
1 cat
2 cats
etc
