Subject-Verb Agreement (Concord) - English Grammar

1. SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT (CONCORD)

            When we speak or write in English (or any other language for that matter), we should see that the Verb must agree with the Subject in Person and Number.  The verb must be of the same Person and Number as its Subject in a sentence. When the Subject and Verb in a sentence are in agreement, they are said to be in ‘concord’.

            Here are some rules/ hints regarding the Subject- Verb Agreement (Concord):

Making Subjects and Verbs Agree

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Rule 1. When the subject of a sentence is composed of two or more nouns or pronouns connected by and, use a plural verb.

Eg: 1. She and her friends are at the fair.

        2. Sudha and Mani don’t  work together..

        3. Hyderabad and Secunderabad are Twin Cities.

        4. Are the Manager and  Asst. Manager in the Office?

        5. The RJD and the Principal have  attended the meeting. (Here, both the posts are held by different persons).

Note: If the nouns suggest one idea to the mind, or refer to the same person or thing, the verb is singular:

Eg: 1. The horse and carriage is   at your door.

       2. Time and Tide waits for none.

       3. Bread and butter is his daily food.

       4. The Chairman & Managing Director has inaugurated the meeting (Here, both the posts are held by one person only)

       5. My friend and benefactor has come.

Rule-2. When two or more singular nouns or pronouns are connected by or or nor, use a singular verb.

 Eg: 1. Our joy or sorrow is a result of our own actions.

       2. Neither he nor his friend has attended the party.

       3. Either the President or the Vice-President signs on bills. 

Rule-3. When a compound subject contains both a singular and a plural noun or pronoun joined by or or nor, the verb should agree with the part of the subject that is nearer the verb.

 Rule- 4. Doesn't is a contraction of does not and should be used only with a singular subject. Don't is a contraction of do not and should be used only with a plural subject. The exception to this rule appears in the case of the first person and second person pronouns I and you. With these pronouns, the contraction don't should be used.

 

Rule- 5. Do not be misled by a phrase that comes between the subject and the verb. The verb agrees with the subject, not with a noun or pronoun in the phrase.

Rule- 6. The words each, each one, either, neither, everyone, everybody, anybody, anyone, nobody, somebody, someone, and no one are singular and require a singular verb.

 

Rule-7. Nouns such as civics, mathematics, dollars, measles, and news require singular verbs.

Note: the words dollars/ Rupees are of special cases. When talking about an amount of money, it requires a singular verb, but when referring to the dollars/ rupees themselves, a plural verb is required.

Rule- 8. Nouns such as scissors, tweezers, trousers, and shears require plural verbs. (There are two parts to these things.)

Rule- 9. In sentences beginning with there is or there are, the subject follows the verb. Since there is not the subject, the verb agrees with what follows.

 

Rule- 10. Collective nouns are words that imply more than one person but that are considered singular and take a singular verb, such as: group, team, committee, class, and family.

In very few cases, the plural verb is used if the individuals in the group are thought of and specifically referred to.

Rule- 11. Expressions such as with, together with, including, accompanied by, in addition to, or as well do not change the number of the subject. If the subject is singular, the verb is too.