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Subject-Verb Concord is the grammatical rule that subjects and verbs must agree in number, with singular subjects taking singular verbs and plural subjects taking plural verbs. Key rules include the treatment of compound subjects, the influence of indefinite pronouns, and the context-dependent nature of collective nouns. Common errors often arise from misunderstanding these rules, particularly with subjects that appear plural but are singular in meaning.

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0 views4 pages

Wa0002.

Subject-Verb Concord is the grammatical rule that subjects and verbs must agree in number, with singular subjects taking singular verbs and plural subjects taking plural verbs. Key rules include the treatment of compound subjects, the influence of indefinite pronouns, and the context-dependent nature of collective nouns. Common errors often arise from misunderstanding these rules, particularly with subjects that appear plural but are singular in meaning.

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dimpleparihar89
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Subject-Verb Concord (Agreement)

Subject-Verb Concord refers to the rule that the subject and verb of a sentence must agree in
number (singular or plural). This means a singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural
subject takes a plural verb. The challenge comes when certain structures or modifiers seem to
confuse this basic rule. Let's explore the concept with detailed explanations, rules, and examples.

Basic Rule of Subject-Verb Concord

The most basic rule is:

• Singular subject → Singular verb


• Plural subject → Plural verb

For example:

• She writes every day. (Singular subject, singular verb)


• They write every day. (Plural subject, plural verb)

Key Rules of Subject-Verb Concord


Rule 1: Singular Subject, Singular Verb

A singular subject takes a singular verb. Singular verbs typically end in -s or -es in the present
tense (except for "I" and "you").

• Examples:
o The dog barks loudly.
o He runs fast.
o The car needs repair.

Rule 2: Plural Subject, Plural Verb

A plural subject takes a plural verb. Plural verbs do not end in -s or -es in the present tense.

• Examples:
o The dogs bark loudly.
o They run fast.
o The cars need repair.
Rule 3: Compound Subjects Joined by "And"

If two or more subjects are joined by and, the verb is plural.

• Examples:
o John and Mary are coming to the party.
o The teacher and the students were excited.

Exception: If two singular nouns refer to the same person or thing, the verb is singular.

• Example: My friend and colleague is coming. (One person, not two)

Rule 4: Subjects Joined by "Or/Nor"

When two or more subjects are joined by or, nor, either…or, or neither…nor, the verb agrees
with the subject that is closest to it.

• Examples:
o Neither the students nor the teacher was late. (Teacher is singular)
o Either the cat or the dogs are in the yard. (Dogs is plural)

Rule 5: Indefinite Pronouns as Subjects

Some indefinite pronouns are singular, some are plural, and some can be either singular or
plural, depending on the context.

• Always Singular: Each, either, neither, everyone, everybody, anyone, anybody,


someone, somebody, nobody, nothing, everything
o Examples:
▪ Everyone in the room is excited.
▪ Neither of the options is acceptable.
• Always Plural: Both, few, many, several
o Examples:
▪ Both of the candidates are qualified.
▪ Few of the books were returned.
• Singular or Plural (depending on the noun that follows): All, none, some, most, any
o Examples:
▪ All of the cake is gone. (Cake is singular)
▪ All of the students are present. (Students is plural)

Rule 6: Collective Nouns

Collective nouns (group, team, committee, family, audience, etc.) can be singular or plural
depending on whether the group is seen as a single unit or as individual members.
• If the group acts as a single unit, the verb is singular.
o Example: The committee decides the issue. (One unit)
• If the individuals within the group act separately, the verb is plural.
o Example: The committee are having arguments. (Members are acting
individually)

Rule 7: Nouns Plural in Form but Singular in Meaning

Some nouns look plural but have singular meanings (e.g., news, mathematics, measles,
economics). They take singular verbs.

• Examples:
o The news is surprising.
o Mathematics is her favorite subject.

Rule 8: Titles, Names, and Amounts

• Titles of books, movies, and other works, even if plural in form, take a singular verb.
o Example: "The Chronicles of Narnia" is a famous series.
• Amounts of time, money, distance, and periods of time take a singular verb.
o Examples:
▪ Five dollars is too much.
▪ Ten kilometers is a long distance to run.

Rule 9: "There is" vs. "There are"

When a sentence begins with "there is" or "there are," the verb agrees with the real subject that
follows it.

• Examples:
o There is a book on the table. (Book is singular)
o There are books on the table. (Books is plural)

Rule 10: The Subject Follows the Verb

In questions and sentences beginning with here or there, the subject comes after the verb, but
the verb still agrees with the subject.

• Examples:
o Where are the keys?
o Here is the solution.
Rule 11: Fractions and Percentages

When using fractions or percentages, the verb agrees with the noun that follows of.

• Examples:
o Two-thirds of the cake is gone. (Cake is singular)
o Fifty percent of the students are present. (Students is plural)

Common Errors in Subject-Verb Concord

1. Incorrect: The list of items are long.


Correct: The list of items is long.
Explanation: The subject is "list" (singular), not "items."
2. Incorrect: Either my mother or my sisters is coming.
Correct: Either my mother or my sisters are coming.
Explanation: The verb agrees with the subject closest to it, which is "sisters" (plural).
3. Incorrect: The news are good.
Correct: The news is good.
Explanation: "News" is singular, even though it appears plural.
4. Incorrect: Neither of the boys have done the work.
Correct: Neither of the boys has done the work.
Explanation: "Neither" is singular, so the verb must be singular too.
5. Incorrect: Every boy and girl are excited.
Correct: Every boy and girl is excited.
Explanation: "Every" makes the subject singular.

Summary of Key Points

• Singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs.
• When subjects are joined by and, the verb is usually plural.
• When subjects are joined by or/nor, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
• Indefinite pronouns like "everyone" and "each" are singular.
• Collective nouns can be singular or plural depending on the context.
• Be cautious with nouns that are plural in form but singular in meaning (e.g.,
news).
• There is/are should be followed by a verb that agrees with the real subject.

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