Learn Farsi: همه‌ی نوه‌ها در مراسم بودند. - All the grandchildren were at the ceremony.

The word همه (all) connects to the noun that follows it using the ezafe vowel. Because همه ends in a silent 'h' (which sounds like 'e'), the ezafe is pronounced as a 'y' and is written with the letter ی. It acts a bit like saying "all of" in English.

Why is the plural marker ها used on نوه (grandchild)? Can't همه just be followed by a singular noun?

When همه is used with countable things or people, the noun must be plural in Farsi. That is why we must say همه‌ی نوه‌ها (all of the grandchildren) rather than using the singular form.

Why do we use در (in) for being "at" the ceremony?

In Farsi, the preposition در means "in", but it is also used more broadly than in English. It is the standard word used for attending events, gatherings, or being located at specific places, which is why it translates to "at" the ceremony here.

Why is the verb بودند (they were) plural? Doesn't "everyone" sometimes take a singular verb?

In English, "everyone" takes a singular verb, but in Farsi, when همه refers to multiple people (like the grandchildren here), it is treated as a true plural subject. Because the subjects are humans, the verb must match with the plural ending ند- (-nd), making it بودند.