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Concordance / Subject-Verb Agreement

In a sentence, the verb’s form should be appropriate to the number or gender of the noun or pronoun. That is, a singular subject requires a singular verb and a plural subject requires a plural verb. This is known as concord i.e., subject – verb agreement. Knowledge of concord rules helps us overcome grammatical mistakes when framing sentences. Thus, a verb must agree with its subject in number and person.

Some glimpses Singular Plural

I person I am your friend We are in the college II person You are my friend You are my well-wisher III person He/ she is brilliant They are witty.

It is in the college. Examples

� Where is the scissors? (wrong) Where is the pair of scissors? (right)

� My spectacles is broken (wrong) My spectacles are broken (right)

� Thousand miles are a long way (wrong) Thousand miles is a long way (right)

� Can I give you an advice? (wrong) Can I give you some advice? (right)

� Neither of the boys have won the prize (wrong) Neither of the boys has won the prize (right).

Some Rules in finding this agreements

� 1. Agreement between the subject and verb in number and person

1.1. When the subject is singular in form (only one person / thing / object / unit), the form of the verb going with the subject should also indicate singularity. � A satellite is a body which revolves around a planet. � The policeman has arrested him (Policeman – singular) � The people of India assembled there.

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1.2. When the subject is plural in form (more than one person / thing / object / unit), the form of the verb going with the subject should also indicate plurality. � Satellites are a body which revolves around planets. � The police have arrested him (Police – plural) � The peoples of India and Japan assembled there.

� 2. Two or more singular nouns or pronouns joined by ‘and’

2.1. If the subject consists of two or more singular nouns or pronouns joined

by ‘and’ it takes a plural verb. � Gold and silver are precious metals. � Fire and water do not agree. � Calcutta, Bombay and Chennai are our most important seaports. � He and I were entrusted with the job.

2.2. If the nouns refer to the same person or thing, the verb is singular. � The novelist and poet is dead. � My friend and benefactor, Raji has come. � Mark Antony, the great orator and statesman is no more. � The Information and Broadcasting Ministry is busy with its new

proposals. � My friend and guide, Monica is a doctor. � The manager and proprietor of this firm is going on a tour.

Note The use of the article is very important in these cases. The manager and proprietor refer to one person only and hence the verb is singular. 2.3. If the nouns refer to the different person or thing, the article would be

used before each noun and the verb is plural. � The Secretary and the Correspondent have come. � The manager and the proprietor of this firm are going on a tour. Here, the manager and the proprietor refer to two different persons and

hence the verb is plural.

� 3. Two singular nouns together suggest an unique idea joined by ‘and’

3.1. If two subjects together suggest one impression / thought, the verb is in singular.

� Time and tide waits for no man – refers ‘moment / period’. � Bread and butter is his only food – refers ‘food’.

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� Honour and glory is his reward – refers ‘quality’. � Slow and steady wins the race - refers ‘individual ability / aptitude / com-

petence’. � Age and experience makes him wise – refers ‘elderly wisdom’

3.2. If the two singular nouns have practically the same meaning / refer to the same person or thing and are placed together for emphasis, the verb is singular.

� The power and influence of the Chairman was tremendous.

� 4. With, as well as, not only…but also

4.1. When a singular subject consists of two nouns or pronouns joined by with, as well as, the verb agrees with the first of them.

� The Chairman with all the members of the Board was present at the meeting. � All the passengers with the driver were killed in the accident. � Good Manager as well as good staff is necessary to show some achievement. � The Mayor, with his councilors, is to be present. � The ship, with its crew, was lost. � Silver, as well as cotton, has fallen in price. � Sanskrit, as well as Arabic, was taught there. � I as well as they am tired of this work.

4.2. Expressions such as with, along with, accompanied by, including, in addition to together with, or as well as, besides do not change the number of the subject. If the subject is singular, the verb is too.

� The file, with all the papers, is missing. � A citation, along with a cash award, was given. � The Principal, accompanied by his staff goes to the auditorium. � All the gates, including the main gate are open.

4.2.1. If commas are omitted in written English, the subject is treated as plural and plural verb is used.

� The dog along with its master are going for a walk. 4.3. When two subjects are connected with not only…but also, the verb agrees with the latter subject.

� Not only the master but his servants also are hard at work. � Not only the servants but their master also is hard at work.

� 5. Either…or; Neither….nor

5.1. When two subjects are connected with either….or, neither….nor, the verb agrees with the latter subject.

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� Either the section officer or the assistants are responsible for this error. � Neither you nor I was selected.

5.2. Two or more singular subjects connected by or or nor require a singular verb.

� No nook or corner was left unexplored. � Our happiness or our sorrow is largely due to our own actions. � Either the cat or the dog has been here. � Neither food nor water was found there.

5.3. When the subject joined by or or nor are of different persons, the verb agrees with the nearer. � Either he or I am mistaken. � Either you or he has done it. � Neither you nor he is to blame

5.4. When the subject joined by or or nor are of different numbers, the verb must be plural, and the plural subject should be placed nearest the verb.

� Neither the Chairman nor the directors are present

� 6. Either, neither, each, everyone, one of these, none

6.1. Either, neither, each, every, everyone, one of these, none, many a, more than one, must be followed by a singular verb that is, two nouns qualified by each or every, even though connected by and, require a singular verb

� Either of these applicants is fit for the job. � Neither of the two proposals was found practicable. � He asked me whether either of the applicants was suitable. � Neither of the two men was very strong. � Each of these substances is found in India. � Each of the boys is hardworking. � Every gentleman and every lady in this organization works sincerely. � Every boy and every girl was given a packet of sweets. � Every one of the prisons is full. � One of these students is sure to win distinction. � None of the food was wasted. � Many a man has succumbed to this temptation � Many a book is interesting. � More than one candidate was absent in the meeting.

6.2. ‘Many’, ‘a great many’ and ‘more’ used alone refer to number and so take the plural verb

� Many students were present at the function. � A great many food items lie unused.

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� More volunteers are needed. 6.3. None can take either a singular or plural verb depending on the noun which follows it. 6.3.1. When none refers to amount or quantity, it takes a singular verb

� None of the food was wasted. � None of the counterfeit money has been found.

6.3.2. When none means not a single one, it is singular and takes a singular verb

� None of these books has taught me anything worthwhile 6.3.3. When none means not any, it takes a plural verb

� None of the students have finished the exam yet. � None of these files have been dealt with so far.

� 7. Nobody, no one, nothing, somebody, something, should be

followed by a singular verb. � Nobody works harder than John does. � No problem is harder to solve than this one. � Something is better than nothing. � Someone has broken the chair.

� 8. Much, more, little, less – When these adjectives are used as nouns,

they take a singular verb � Much of our time is being wasted. � More than half a century has passed since this branch was opened. � Little more than bare minimum was available. � Nothing less than half the amount was to be paid immediately.

� 9. Some nouns which are plural in form, but singular in meaning,

takes a singular verb: News, Politics, Economics, Physics, Ethics, Civics, innings, Mathematics, mumps, measles, Statistics, Dynamics, billiards, athletics, acoustics, tactics, The United States, Naples, classics, comics etc.

� The news is true � The news is collected from many places. � Politics was with him the business of his life � Mathematics is a branch of study in every school.

9.1. Some Nouns such as sleep, deer and fish do not change in plural form � There are ten deer at the zoo. � There are about fifty sheep in the fold.

9.2. Observe the following plural form

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� Father-in-law - Fathers-in-law � Mother-in-law - Mothers-in-law and so on � Coat-of-mail - coats-of-mail � Passes-by - Passers-by � Looker-on - Lookers-on � Man-of-war - Men-of-war.

� 10. Collective Nouns

10.1. A collective noun (group, crowd, army, committee, jury, assembly and so on) takes a singular verb when the collection is thought of as one whole; plural verb when the individuals of which it is composed are thought of.

� The Committee has issued its report. � The jury was of one opinion. � The family has an apartment.

10.2. When the group is not taken as a whole but of its members individually, a plural verb is needed.

� The Committee were divided on one minor point � The audience were delighted with the performance.

Note But whether a plural or a singular verb is used, be consistent in the construction of the sentence.

� 11. When the plural noun is a proper name for some single object or some collective unit, it must be followed by a singular verb.

� The United States is highly advanced in Science and Technology. � The Arabian Nights is still a great favourite. � The United States has a big navy. � Gulliver’s Travels was written by Swift.

� 12. When a plural noun denotes some specific quantity or amount

considered it as a whole, the verb is generally singular when considered as a whole.

� Fifteen minutes is allowed to each speaker. � Five thousand rupees is not a small sum / Fifty thousand rupees is a large

sum. � Ten kilometers is a long walk. � Three parts of the business is left for me to do. � Three-fourths of the work has been completed.

12.1. The sum of money or years, when considered separately, the plural verb is used.

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� Seven years have rolled since we shifted to Chennai. � One lakh rupees were distributed among the victims.

� 13. The pattern / the subject ‘One of’, is always followed by a plural

noun, the verb agrees with ‘one’ - is singular and never agrees with the plural noun.

� One of my friends has gone abroad. � One of his uncles is a doctor. � One of the students is absent today. � One of the books is missing. � One of the teachers has a good sense of humour.

13.1. When the phrase occurs in the middle of the sentence as antecedent and is followed by the relative ‘who’, ‘that’, ‘which’, the verb is plural

� John is one of the students, who are dependable in all circumstances. � He is one of the players, who have won a number of medals

� 14. When the subject is the formal there, the verb agrees with the

‘real’ subject that follows it. � There are many books in our library. � There is a book on the table. � There are several pages missing from this book. � There is a cause for everything. � There was an accident here last week.

� 15. ‘A pair of’ when applied to things where the two components are

always thought of together is singular. � There is a pair of scissors on the table. � A pair of scissors is there. � A pair of shoes costs much. � Three pairs of trousers are hanging on the line.

15.1. If the word ‘a pair of’ is omitted and if merely the plural word is used, then it must take a plural verb.

� Those scissors are costly � These shoes are new

� 16. Class nouns such as furniture, scenery, advice, bread, stationery,

food, cutlery, footwear, information, equipment is considered as singular and must therefore take a singular verb.

� The furniture in this room is very old

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� He has bought some furniture. � The scenery in the hill side is beautiful. � Can I give you some pieces of advice? � He has eaten two loaves / pieces of bread. � The cutlery in the cupboard yesterday was good. � A factory with modern equipment is for sale.

Note The above mentioned nouns are uncountable and hence they are not used with a or an and they have no plural forms

� 17. A lot of, plenty of, a great deal of, most of, half of, one-third of (all fractions) and some of are singular when they refer to amount or quantity, but plural when they refer to number.

� A lot of work is still pending / A lot of work remains to be done. � Plenty of water is available. � Plenty of roses are available in the market. � Plenty of books are given to me related on this subject. � Some of the sugar is spilt. � Some of the boys are very intelligent � Lots of fans have come. � Half of the fruits are not ripe yet.

17.1. The same nouns take the singular verb, when they refer to quantity.

� One-third of the land is still fertile. � Plenty of water is available. � Lots of tea has been prepared.

� 18. Certain nouns, though singular in form, is considered as plural

and takes the plural verb – Police, people, scissors, spectacles, trousers and so on.

� The cattle are grazing in the field. � The people are waiting for the President. � The police were forced to act. � My spectacles are broken.

� 19. Phrases beginning with ‘a team of,’ ‘a chain of,’ ‘a flock of, ‘a

bouquet of’, ‘a crown of’, ‘a series of’, ‘a set of’ etc takes the singular verb though the word after them is plural.

� A series of serials is telecast everyday. � A team of ministers has come on a visit. � A regiment of soldiers is deployed for election duty.

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� 20. If a sentence begins with ‘a number of’, the verb is plural; whereas if it begins with ‘the number of’ the verb is singular

� A number of students are playing in the ground. � The number of students good at sports is very few.

Note Here ‘a number of’ means ‘many’.

� 21. Certain adjectives are used with the article ‘the’ to refer to a group of people in a particular condition; the destitute, the blind, the youth, the brave, the poor, the unemployed etc. take the plural verb.

� The destitute are taken care by the organization. � The brave die once � The unemployed are restless. � The youth of today are the pillars of tomorrow.

� 22. Nationality words referring to the people of a particular nation

take the plural verb. � The French loves good food. � The Japanese are hard working.

� 23. The error of proximity

23.1. Often a long phrase or even a clause separates the subject from its verb.

In such cases, special care is needed to keep in mind the actual subject and to make the verb agree to it

� The cost of all the necessaries is now coming down. � The information our journal offers to the exporters is very valuable.

� 24. The introductory ‘there’ - When the subject is the formal there,

the verb agrees with the real subject that follows it � There is no certainty of his success. � There were many difficulties to be overcome.

� 25. Titles or names of books, quotations take the singular verb only � ‘The Discovery Channel’ gives vast information. � ‘Tales from Sherlock Holmes’ makes reading information. � ‘Honesty is the best policy’ is a saying.

� 26. Singular noun joined by a preposition takes the singular verb � City after city is captured by the Americans � Dr. Kalam’s speech after speech inspires the youth.

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Exercise I Fill in the blanks with the correct verb form. 1. Churchill, statesman and writer, ----- (is/ are) no more. 2. Ram, along with his parents, ------- (is/ are) going to Singapore. 3. The North Pole and the South Pole -------- (is/are) equally distant from the

equator. 4. Nothing -------- (has/have) yet been decided. 5. The tiger -------- (is/are) our National animal. 6. Sheela with her friends ---------- (was/were) at the theatre. 7. A pack of cards ------------ (is/ are) missing. 8. Some of the music ----------- (was /were) boring. 9. One of my friends ----------- (is /are) going abroad today. 10. Either of the two books ------------ (is/are) not sufficient. 11. Neither Sita nor her friends ------------- (has /have) come. 12. Half of the cake --------------- (was/ were) eaten by Raju. 13. Any new vehicle -------------- (has/have) to be registered. 14. There ------------ (was/ were) three meeting in succession. 15. Hundred miles ------------ (is/are) not a long distance. 16. A volley of questions ------------- (was/were) put forth by the quiz master. 17. This information ------------ (is/are) not correct. 18. The Governor and the Vice-chancellor ---- (has/have) come for the function. 19. Your scissors ---------- (is/are) very sharp. 20. Many an artiste ------------ (do/ does) not gain stand for more than one film. 21. A great many students --------- (has/ have) been declared successful. 22. The number of girls in the hall ------------ (is/are) very small. 23. Plenty of works ------------- (is/are) to be done. 24. The public ------------ (was/were) moved by the spectacle. 25. None of the candidates ----------- (has/ have) filed their nomination. 26. People --------- (do/does) not care to segregate the non-biodegradable from

the Bio-degradable waste. 27. The girl who ------- (has/have) scored the highest marks is appreciated by all

the friends. 28. The General Manager as well as the area managers - (is/are) on official duty. 29. Neither the student nor the teacher --------- (has / have) understood the

purpose of the new rule. 30. Each of the boys ----------- (has/have) managed to get a prize. II Correct the subject-verb agreement errors in the following sentences, if needed

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1. The variety of Internet newsgroups provide something for everyone. 2. The length of a typical online session are twenty-five minutes. 3. Those who ‘surf’ the web is growing in number every day. 4. Usually, the Internet “addict” together with family or friends, solve the

problem in a relatively short time. 5. Many people accessing the Internet use it for sending e-mail and playing

games.