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Chapter 8
Concord
(SYNTAX OR SUBJECT AND VERB AGREEMENT)
Introduction
Concord means a harmonious relationship between two grammatical
items. Of all the types of concord the most important is the concord
of number and person between the subject and the verb.
In English the concord system is simple, a verb is not affected by
the gender system at all because it has the same form for both
masculine and feminine subjects. Further, subject-verb-concord in
English is restricted to simple present tense. In English there is
nothing like object-verb-concord.
Grammatical Concord
A singular subject takes a singular verb. A plural subject takes a
plural verb. In short, a verb is in the same number as its subject. It
is called grammatical concord. For example,
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The
The
The
The
Concord of Person
(i )
In short, the singular form of a verb is only for the third person
singular and the plural form for the rest.
But:
You/they/we were watching a match on TV yesterday.
He/she/I was watching a match on TV yesterday. (verb to be)
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(ii) Modal auxiliaries
Note: But need and dare in the affirmative do have number and
person concord. For example,
I/we need to work hard.
He needs to work hard.
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Rule 2
Rule 3
When two singular nouns joined by and refer to the same person or
thing, the verb is singular. For example,
The secretary and treasurer has been arrested.
The District Magistrate and Collector is on leave today.
Notes:
(i) Article the is used only once when the two nouns refer to
the same person or thing.
Rule 4
The principle of grammatical concord states that the subject must
agree with the verb. When the subject is a complex noun phrase, it is
the number of the head-noun of the noun phrase that determines
the form of the verb. For example,
The teachers of this school know me. (teachers)
The mangoes on the tree are ripe. (mangoes)
The milk in the bottles is fresh. (milk)
The price of essential articles in all the states has shot up. (price)
The rays of the sun at noon in all parts of India are very bright. (rays)
The sound of the bells was heard by everyone. (sound)
One of the books is missing. (one)
The water of those streams was sweet. (water)
The trouble with all those cars was slow speed. (trouble)
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Rule 5
When two singular subjects are practically synonymous the verb
should be in the singular form. For example,
The law and order situation in the state is under control.
His power and influence is on the decline.
Power and position has no charm for my friend.
Peace and prosperity is the need of the day.
Rule 6
If connectives like with, together with, along with, in addition to,
except, besides, and not, no less than, like etc are used to combine
two subjects the verb agrees with the subject mentioned first. For
example,
The president of India together with his personal secretaries is invited
to this function.
The actress along with her manager and some friends is attending the
function.
Mr Sanoj accompnied by his wife and children is arriving to night by
train.
Rule 7
When two subjects are joined by as well as, the verb agrees in number
and person with first one, for example,
He as well as I is fond of fish.
My comrades as well as I are visiting Delhi.
You as well as he are innocent.
Rule 8
When two or more nouns or pronouns in the singular are connected
by or, nor, either.....or, neither...nor they take a singular verb. For
example,
Neither Rupa nor her sister is to blame.
Either the dog or the cat has been killed.
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Rule 9
Rule 10
When the subjects joined by or, nor either....or, neither....nor are of
different persons the verb agrees with the nearer subject. For example,
Either he or you are guilty.
Neither you nor I am to blame.
Neither you nor he is willing to come.
Neither he nor they are honest.
Rule 11
When the subjects joined by or, nor, either....or, neither....nor are
plural, the verb must be plural. For example,
Neither men nor women like this film.
Either teachers or parents are to blame.
Rule 12
In sentences mentioned in Rule 9, the plural subject is placed
nearest to the verb. But in a question, a singular subject is placed
nearest to the verb. (This is a result of subject-auxiliary inversion in
question). For example,
Has he or his friends stolen my watch?
Rule 13
If two singular subjects (combined by and) are preceded by each or
every, the verb should by in the singular. For example,
Every boy and every girl was given sweets.
Each son and each daughter of Ramesh was educated.
Every day and every night brings its own pleasure.
Every man and every woman has the right to express his or her view.
Rule 14
Nouns qualified by each and every take singular verb. For example,
Every man and woman on this earth has to die one day.
Each soldier and sailor is to march.
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Rule 15
When subjects are joined by not only.....but also, the verb agrees
with the last, that is, with the subject nearst to it. For example,
Not only Rajesh but also his sisters were arrested.
Not only her books but also her watch was stolen.
Rule 16
None can take either a singular or a plural verb depending on the
noun which follows it.
Structure I: None + of the + uncountable noun + singular verb
For example,
None of the counterfeit money has been found.
Rule 17
No can take either a singular or a plural verb depending on the noun
which follows it.
Structure I : No+singular noun + singular verb + uncountable noun
For example,
No example is relevant to this case.
Rule 18
Distributive pronouns (each/either/neither etc) are always singular
whether or not they are followed by of + plural noun, so they go with
singular verbs. For example,
Neither of the two experiments was relevant to the topic of research.
(not, were)
Each of these procedures has its own advantages. (not, have)
Either of them has to demonstrate how this appratus works. (not, have)
Each one of you has to suffer for it. (not, have)
There are two girls here. Neither is tall. (not, are)
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Rule 19
If each comes after a plural headword (ie, plural subect+each) the verb
agrees with the plural headword. For example,
We each want to be happy. (not, wants)
They each are facing problems. (not, is)
Rule 20
Singular indefinite pronouns go with singular verbs, plural indefinite
pronouns go with plural verbs and in the construction Indefinite
pronoun+of + plural noun/pronoun, a singular indefinite pronoun goes
with a singular verb.
For example,
Many a flower is born to blush unseen.
Everybody wants food.
Many an egg is rotten.
One has to take care of ones health.
No one has reached yet.
Everyone who saw his dead body was moved.
Every new born day is teeming with slipped chances.
Anybody with a will to work is welcome.
Rule 21
In the construction not one/no one of +plural noun/ pronoun the verb is
always singular because not one/no one is indisputably singular. For
example,
Not one/no one of the pupils has answered this question correctly.
(not, have)
Rule 22
When all means everything it takes a singular verb but when it
refers to a plural noun, it takes a plural verb. For example,
All is not lost yet. (not, are)
There are ten girls here. All are tall. (not, is)
Rule 23
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Rule 24
A few nouns always go in pairs, so they are called inseparables:
scissors, shears, trousers, pliers. Since they are undoubtedly plural
they take a plural verb. However, when preceded by a pair of, they
take a singular verb. For example,
Trousers are very comfortable in cold countries.
A pair of trousers is required for my cousin.
Rule 25
In the construction more than one + singular noun, noun takes a singular
noun and a singular verb. For example,
More than one man was killed in the accident.
More than one scholar has been honoured this year.
(not, More than one girls are absent.)
Rule 26
In the construction more + plural noun + than one, more takes a plural
noun, so a plural verb is required. For example,
More proposals than one have been forwarded. (not, has been)
Rule 27
Numerals joined by and/plus denote a single arithmetic unit, so they
take a singular verb. For example,
Two and two makes/is four.
Two plus two is four.
Rule 28
The subject of a sentence in the construction (nothing but + noun) is
nothing and not the noun placed after but, so it always takes a
singular verb whether the latter noun is singular or plural. For
example,
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Rule 29
A number of or a large number of is followed by a plural noun, for
example, people, men, teachers, and it is these plural nouns with
which the verb must agree not with the grammatical head of the
subject, that is, not with the word number. For example,
A large number of people have applied for the job.
A number of slum dwellers in Delhi have fallen victim to dangue.
Here two points should be noted: (i) we are using the phrase the
number of not a number of or a large number of; and (ii) our concern
now is more with number than with the noun people. Hence, the
singular verb has.
Rule 30
The subject of a sentence may begin with any one of the following
phrases: A good deal of, A great deal of, A lot of, Most of and some
of. In such a situation the verb agrees with the object of the
preposition of. For example,
A lot of people were present in the gallery.
A lot of work has to be completed before we go.
A good deal of time has been lost.
A good deal of efforts are needed.
Some of the music was boring.
Some of the children were hungry.
Rule 31
If the subject of a sentence begins with a fraction, the verb agrees
with the noun or pronoun that comes after the prepositon of. For
example,
Two-thirds of the book is interesting.
Two-thirds of the books are interesting.
A quarter of it is fresh.
A quarter of them are stale.
Half of it is useful.
Half of them are rotten.
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The same principle applies with the phrases: The rest of, Majority of,
Heaps of, Most of, Plenty of, and Lots of. For example,
Lots of medicine has been prepared.
Lots of soldiers have come.
The rest of the novel is interesting.
The rest of the novels are interesting.
Plenty of milk is required in summer.
Plenty of eggs are required next week.
Rule 32
In the construction, This/This+kind of/sort of /type of +noun, kind of/
sort of/type of is treated as a single unit. For example,
This/that kind of food is harmful. (food)
This/that type of climate does not agree with me. (climate)
This/that sort of behaviour is in bad taste. (behaviour)
These/those kinds of people are unreliable. (people)
Rule 33
A noun (singular or plural) denoting weights/measures/amount/
quantity/distance etc takes a singular verb. For example,
Five miles/kilometres is a long way to walk.
Seven thousand rupees has been paid to him.
Ten litres of petrol is required for my journey.
Sixty years is a long time.
Ten kilograms is enough for me.
Rule 34
A noun (singular or plural) denoting the name of a place/institution
or the title of a book takes a singular verb. For example,
Jaipur is a popular tourist destination.
The Arabian Nights is still very popular.
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Rule 35
Rule 36
In the construction It + be + noun / pronoun, the subject is it, so the
verb is always singular is/was, and not are/were. For example,
Its me/him.
Its they who talk a lot but do nothing.
It was you who created the problem.
Rule 37
In the construction, subject + noun/pronoun in apposition, the verb
agrees with the subject and not with the noun/pronoun used in
apposition to the subject. For example,
I, a student, am in urgent need of your help. (not, is)
You, a literary ciritic, have failed to appreciate poetry. (not, has)
Rule 38
Certain adjectives are used with the definite article (the) to talk about
group of people in a particular condition. For example,
The blind, the sick, the deaf, the poor, the rich, the young, the old, the
dead, the brave, the coward, the handicapped, the unemployed.
These expressions have a plural meaning: the blind means the blind
people or all blind people, but not the blind man. Whenever such
an expression forms the subject of a sentence, it takes a plural verb.
For example,
The
The
The
The
Rule 39
Some of the nationality words ending in -sh or -ch or -ese can also be
used with a definite article as given below:
The British, The English, The French, The Irish, The Dutch
These expressions are plural : The British means all (the) British
people. When the subject of a sentence is one such expression it
takes a plural verb. For example,
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The
The
The
The
Rule 40
There can never be the subject of a verb. Hence look for the subject
after the verb in sentences beginning with there. For example,
There
There
There
There
There
There
There
is a party tonight.
are a number of meetings tomorrow.
seems no reason to question his honesty.
were ten students in our group.
are always two sides to every story.
seem to be two lions in the den.
is a book on the table.
Rule 41
In expressions where the same singular noun is joined by a preposition
(singular noun + preposition) the verb used is always singular. For
example,
Ship after ship is heading towards the shore.
Letter after letter pinpoints the need for hard-work.
Rule 42
Than + elliptical comparative clause
He always uses more words than are necessary.
She carries with her more money than is safe to do.
For example,
.....more food than is required.
plural noun + than + plural verb
For example,
.....more teachers than are required.
Rule 43
In the expressions as regards, as concerns, as follows the verb
(regard/concern/follow) is always singular (ie regards/concerns/
follows). For example,
The report is as follows.....
The rates are as follows.....
(not, The quotations are as follow.)
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Rule 44
Note: The expressions the former and the latter also behave in a
similar way.
Rule 45
A relative pronoun as subject takes a singular verb when the
antecedent is singular but it takes a plural verb when the antecedent
is plural. For example,
I have read the book that is on the table.
I have not read the books that are on the shelf.
God helps those who help themselves.
Rule 46
In spite of the number of terms on either side, mathematical
equations like the following take verbs required by third person singular
subjects. For example,
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(a+b)2 = a2+b2+2ab is one of the basic formulas (formulae) in Algebra.
His contention was that a (x+y)2 = 50 was valid for every case.
Rule 47
If a sentence begins with the pronoun I and is positive, the verb in
the question tag is are. For example,
I am really tall, arent I?
I am really a scholar, arent I?
Rule 48
If the subject of a sentence is a clause, the verb is singular. For
example,
What he does these days doesnt concern me.
Whether a book will sell depends on how good it is.
That she is still alive is good news.
Rule 49
If the subject of a sentence, however, is a complex of co-ordinate
clauses, the verb is plural. For example,
What I say and what I do are no business of yours.
Whether you should get married now or whether you should remain
single all your life are your personal problems.
Rule 50
In sentences like the following, the verb agrees with the notional
subject of the noun clause operating as the subject of the sentence.
For example,
What was once a huge castle is nothing but piles of rubble.
What were once beautiful houses are now nothing but piles of rubble.
Rule 51
If one of the two subjects is negative (in the sense that it begins with
a negative word) and the other one is positive, the verb agrees with
the positive subject. Even if the negative subject is nearer the verb.
For example,
Not
this
The
this
the Defence Minister, but the two generals deserve a reward for
victory.
two generals, but not the defence Minister, deserve a reward for
victory.
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Rule 52
In the construction collective noun + of + plural noun, a singular collective
noun+of+noun is used as a unit to denote a single undivided group of
people or things. For example, see the following phrases:
a batch of
a bunch of
a band of
a chain of
a class of
a crowd of
a fleet of
a gang of
a galaxy of
a group of
a herd/a flock of
a pack/packet of
a set of
a series of
a team of
In sentences like these the verb is singular because the number of
the verb is determined by the singular collective noun, and not by the
plural noun placed after of. For example,
A
A
A
A
A
A
Rule 53
Some of the collective nouns take the verb in the singular or in the
plural according as the speaker thinks of the thing as a single whole
or of the individuals of which it is composed.
Class
Cabinet Committee
Board
Army
Jury
Mob
Government Team
For example,
The
The
The
The
The
The
The
The
Rule 54
Certain nouns, though singular in form, are used as plural and they
usually take plural verb. For example,
Cattle
Clergy
Poultry Public
For example,
Gentry
Swine
People
Vermin
Police
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The
The
The
The
The
Rule 55
The following nouns are used only in the singular form and the verb
that follows them is also singular. For example,
abuse, advice, alarm, alphabet, bread, brick, clothing, folk, furniture, gossip,
hair, information, issue, luggage, offspring, poetry, scenery, thunder etc.
For example,
The scenery of Darjeeling is very beautiful. (Correct)
The sceneries of Darjeeling are very beautiful. (Incorrect)
Their information is based on facts. (Correct)
Their informations are based on facts. (Incorrect)
All my furniture has been burnt. (Correct)
All my furnitures have been burnt. (Incorrect)
Note: When more than one languages is spoken of, the plural of
alphabet is alphabets. When abuse is used in the sense of wrong
use, the plural is abuses. When issue means result its plural is
issues.
Rule 56
The word majority can be singular or plural. However, if it is followed
by a plural noun, it is always plural. For example,
The majority believe/believes that the country can progress.
The majority of the lecturers believe that the student has not copied in
the examination.
Rule 57
If the subject of a sentence is one of the following:
barracks, headquarters, whereabouts etc the verb can be either
singular or plural. For example,
The headquarters of the UNO is/are New York.
His present whereabouts is/are not known.
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Rule 58
Rule 59
When the word enemy is used in the sense of armed forces of a
nation with which ones country is at war, we have to use the plural
verb. For example,
The enemy were forced to retreat.
Rule 60
Names of diseases like measles, mumps and shingles take a
singular verb although they have an s at the end. For example,
Measles is not a fatal disease.
These days mumps is not at all difficult to cure.
Shingles is a disease in which the patient develops lots of inflamed
spots round the waist.
Rule 61
When data means facts it is used as a plural noun but when it
means a body of facts, it is used as a singular noun. For example,
The data are now ready for computation.
The data is now ready for computation.
Rule 62
(i) Statistics can be used in such a way as to mean a branch of
knowledge. In such cases it takes a verb required by third person
singular subjects. But in certain cases it can mean facts in numbers.
In such cases it takes a plural verb. For example,
Statistics is a very useful subject.
The available statistics indicate that the population of the world will
double in about 30 years.
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