Concord
This is the agreement that exists between the subject and the verb of a sentence. The basic rule of concord is summarized thus: “a singular subject should go with a singular verb and a plural subject should go with a plural verb”. It is called the “grammatical rule of concord”. E.g. the boys are playing in the rain. We used the verb “are” because we are dealing with a plural subject “the boys”. Watch it! A verb is singular when it ends with “s” and plural when it doesn’t end with “s”. e.g. play [plural] and plays [singular].
Whenever you are faced with questions on concord, such that you are asked to fill a gap with the appropriate verb, obey the easy rules below:
1. When a statement is introduced with the expressions – many a or many an, a singular subject should be used alongside a singular verb.
Examples:
Many an egg was broken
Many a contestant fails to think
2. When the conjunction AND is used to join two subjects that refer to different persons, then a plural verb should be used.
Examples:
The director and the producer of the movie were applauded.
The Emir and the conqueror of enemy territories are here.
3. When AND is used to join two complementary subjects i.e. subjects that go together and should not be separated so as to retain their grammatical impact, a singular verb should be used. These complementary subjects include – rice and stew, tea and sugar, bread and butter, fast and furious, slow and steady, bow and arrow etc.
Examples:
Garri and sugar is good for the body
Rice and stew was my favorite food
4. When the conjunction AND is used to join two subjects [names or titles] such that there is no article or possessive before the second subject, then use a singular verb. The reason for this is that both names or titles actually refer to the same person, so invariably we have one subject.
Examples:
The director and producer of the movie was applauded.
The Emir and conqueror of enemy territories is here.
5. When two subjects are joined with a conjunction other than AND, the verb will agree with the 1st subject. So, if the 1st subject is singular then you use a singular verb and vice versa. Other conjunctions that could be used in place of “AND” include: no less than, with, as well as, besides, as long as, alongside, along with, in conjunction with, in collaboration with etc.
Examples:
The hunter with his dogs was seen in the forest.
The presidents alongside their aides have been jailed for corrupt practices.
6. When exactly three or more subjects are joined with AND + ANOTHER CONJUNCTION, if AND comes 1st, then use a plural verb. If the other conjunction comes 1st then obey rule 4 above i.e. the verb will agree with the 1st subject.
Examples:
The pastor and his wife along with their children have traveled abroad.
The pastor along with his wife and children has traveled abroad.
7. When a statement begins with 'either – or' / 'neither – nor', the verb will agree with the subject immediately before the gap.
Examples:
Either You or Mary has to clean up this place.
Neither Moses nor I am to blame
8. When fractions or percentage is used as the subject of a sentence, the verb will agree with the noun/pronoun after them.
Examples:
Three quarters of the church building was painted by the members.
Sixty percent of the unskilled workers are retained yearly by the company.
9. When a statement begins with a number of, a plural verb should be used. On the other hand, if it begins with the number of, a singular verb should be used. The reason behind this is that – “a number of” means many/several, while “the number of” means one.
Examples:
A number of stolen cars were recovered
The number of students in Nigeria is large
10. When “Every” or “Each” is used without the preposition “of”, a singular subject should be used along with a singular verb.
Examples:
Every child is a blessing
Every woman deserves to be happy
Each day a criminal is arrested
11. When “Every” or “Each” is used with the preposition “of”, such that we have a new expression of this form – “every of” or “each of”, a plural subject should be used alongside a singular verb.
Examples:
Each of the contestants was given a prize
Each of the houses has got a new look
12. When a statement begins with the expression “one of” such that a relative pronoun [e.g. who] is used, a plural subject should go with a plural verb then a singular verb at the end.
Examples:
One of the women who sell in the market was arrested.
One of the pastors that preach on campus is a bachelor.
13. When a statement begins with the expression “one of” but no relative pronoun is used, a plural subject will be used along with a singular verb.
Examples:
One of the boys was given a scholarship
One of the traders has been killed
14. When adjectives such as “the rich, the poor, the blind, the needy, the helpless” etc are used as the subject of a sentence, a plural verb should follow them.
Examples:
The rich also cry
The needy require our sympathy
The poor have no friend
15. When the expression “More than” begins a sentence, the verb will agree with the noun/pronoun that comes after the expression.
Examples:
More than two women sell oranges at the junction.
More than one student has paid for the textbook.
16. When Indefinite Pronouns are used in a sentence, they should take a singular verb.
Examples:
Everybody hates Chris
No one was there when it happened
Nobody cares about criminals
17. When “All” is used as the subject of a sentence, use a singular verb when ALL means everything,
and a plural verb when ALL means a collection of people or action.
Examples:
All [everything] is not well with him
All [everyone] have left the house
18. When a sentence begins with the expression “All but”, the verb will agree with the noun/pronoun directly before the gap. If the noun used is countable – use a plural verb, but if the noun used is uncountable – use a singular verb.
Examples:
All but this book are missing
All but this information is valid
All but these movies are interesting
19. When 'either' or 'neither' begins a sentence, irrespective of the number of persons mentioned, use a singular verb.
Examples:
Neither of the two boys dances well
Either of the two books is new
20. When the subject of a sentence is an uncountable noun, a singular verb should be used.
Examples:
Information makes the world go round
Your luggage is big
Counsel is safety
The news is terrible
21. When summation plurals i.e. nouns [objects] of two equal parts such as pliers, shorts, scissors, trousers, pajamas, glasses etc. are used as the subject of a sentence, they should take a plural verb.
Examples:
My trousers are missing
My scissors were stolen
22. When summation plurals are preceded by determiners such as my pair of, a pair of, his pair of, her pair of, a singular verb should be used.
Examples:
My pair of trousers is missing
A pair of scissors was stolen
23. When summation plurals are preceded by the expression “two pairs of”, a plural verb should be used.
Examples:
Two pairs of trousers were missing
Two pairs of scissors were stolen
24. When units of time, money, distance, measurement are used as the subject of a sentence, a singular verb should follow.
Examples:
Four weeks is enough for the police to complete their investigation.
Fifty litres is enough for a day
25. When Pluralia Tantums i.e. nouns that always end with “s” such as:
- Names of diseases e.g. measles, AIDS, tuberculosis, arthritis,
- Names of games e.g. billiards, darts, chess,
- Names of courses/subjects e.g. mathematics, economics, physics,
- Title of books/novels e.g. a tale of two cities; are used as the subject of a sentence – a singular verb should follow.
Examples:
Mathematics is quite easy
Measles is no more a threat to humans
26. When unmarked plurals i.e. nouns that have a fixed singular and plural form, i.e. they do not take “s” e.g. police, clergy, elite, youth, vermin, laity, gentry etc. are used as the subject of a sentence, a plural verb should follow.
Examples:
The police are celebrating the arrest of oil pipeline vandals.
The clergy pray for the nation [action]
The police are your friend [no action]
27. When a sentence begins with any of the following expressions – “a range of, a wide range of, a survey of, a list of” etc., fill the gap with a singular verb.
Examples:
A range of options was made available to the political candidates.
A survey of opinions on how pupils feel about their teachers has been carried out.
28. When the relative pronouns 'who', 'which' and 'that' are used in a sentence, it is the pronoun before
them that determines the verb to be used.
Examples:
You who are convicted, should appeal
It is I who am to see the doctor now
29. When the preposition “of” is used at the beginning of a sentence, it is the subject before “of” that determines the verb to follow.
Examples:
The price of cars and houses has risen
The cause of the diseases is not known
Knowledge of figures of speech as well as idioms and synonyms is tested in this section.
NB: However, when collectives are used, e.g. a bevy of, a pride of, a bunch of, a gang of etc, a singular verb should follow.
E.g. A bevy of ladies was seen at the party
30. When collective pronouns are used such that they are post-modified by the relative pronouns who or which, use a plural verb when “who” is used and a singular verb when “which” is used.
Examples:
The audience “who” threw harmful objects at the actors were blamed.
The team “which” is playing today is in the dressing room.
Quick Drill:
- Neither the policeman nor the lawyers ____ in court (a) was (b) were (c) is (d) has been
- A tale of two cities ____ a novel I look forward to reading (a) is (b) were (c) are (d) have
- Mr. John as well as his wife and children ____ arrived (a) has (b) is (c) are (d) have
- More than a bag of rice ____ bought today (a) were (b) are (c) was (d) is
- Three quarters of the school building ____ destroyed (a) have been (b) was (c) were (d) are
- The principal and chairman of the occasion ____ arrived (a) has (b) have (c) was (d) is
- My pair of trousers _____ missing (a) are (b) have been (c) is (d) were
- One of the ___ ___ shot in the head (a) boy/was (b) boys/were (c) boys/was (d) boy/were
- It is certain that slow and steady ____ the race (a) wins (b) are winning (c) will win (d) win
- A number of students _____ rusticated last session (a) is (b) was (c) were (d) has been
- It is I who _____ to blame for the lapses (a) was (b) am (c) is (d) are
- One of the vice ____ ____ in an interim capacity (a) president/acts (b) presidents/act (c) president/acted (d) presidents/acts
- More than two players _____ given a red card (a) was (b) is (c) are (d) were
- Sixty miles ____ a long journey (a) is (b) are (c) has (d) have
- Here ____ the books you requested (a) are (b) was (c) is (d) am
- Either the Chief of the village or the leader of the village farmers ____ to be held responsible (a) are (b) is (c) has been (d) were
- All but this plate of rice ____ left (a) is (b) are (c) were (d) has
- Two of the _____ who _____ in the school _____ arrested (a) girls/sing/was (b)girls/sing/were (c) girl/sing/was (d) girl/sings/were
- Many a secondary school student ____ afraid of English Language Examination these days (a) are (b) is (c) was (d) were
- A list of schools _____ ready to accept your result (a) are (b) is (c) can (d) has
- Every man and woman ____ expected to check in (a) are (b) is (c) were (d) have been
- One of the _____ _____ arrested (a) man/was (b) men/was (c) men/were (d) man/were
- The committee ____ here every Monday (a) meets (b) are to meet (c) meet (d) are meeting
- All ____ not well with the principal since morning (a) is (b) are (c) were (d) have been
- Physics ____ an interesting subject (a) is (b) are (c) were (d) have been
- A fleet of cars ____ seen at the man’s compound (a) were (b) is (c) was (d) are
- Two months _____ enough for Mary to complete her final year project (a) is (b) are (c) will be (d) have been
- I must go to the market because my stockings _____ torn (a) is (b) are (c) were (d) was
- The man and his wives ____ here (a) is (b) are (c) was (d) have been
- Four percent of the church building ___ brought down (a) were (b) has (c) can (d) was
- Thirty percent of the workers _____ sacked and two-third of their families _____ not happy (a) was/was (b) was/were (c) were/were (d) were/was
- Either the bears or the lion ____ escaped from the zoo (a) have been (b) have (c) are (d) has
- The luggage I brought home ____ too big (a) was (b) were (c) would (d) are
- The number of the cars at the show ____ increased (a) have (b) has (c) is (d) were
- Two of the _____ who _____ people everyday _____ been arrested (a) robbers/rob/has (b) robbers/robs/has (c) robbers/rob/have (d) robbers/robs/have
- It was Mary who _____ here last (a) was (b) is (c) were (d) am
- Nothing ______ one feel good than success (a) make (b) are making (c) made (d) makes
- He _____ too fast (a) driving (b) drived (c) drives (d) drive
- Each _____ _____ $10, 000 for participating in Cambridge English Competition (a) student/gets (b) students/get (c) student/get (d) students/gets
- Either garri and salt or garri and sugar _____ good for the body (a) is (b) are (c) will be (d) have been
- The headmaster as well as his teachers ______ been invited for a discussion (a) have (b) is (c) was (d) has
- Olu with his wife ______ for a walk (a) are going (b) have gone (c) has gone (d) is going
- The lecturer, accompanied by two of his students, _______ travelled to Lagos (a) has (b) have (c) is (d) will be
- To treat students as kids ______ unfair (a) is (b) are (c) were (d) have been
- John is one of the ______ who _____ in the choir (a) boys/sings (b) boy/sing (c) boys/sing (d) boy/sings
- One of the ________ who ______ on duty ________ sick (a) guard/is/is (b) guards/is/is (c) guard/are/is (d) guards/are/is
- Three quarters of the building ______ been completed (a) have (b) is (c) were (d) has
- Two-third of the students ______ absent (a) is (b) was (c) has been (d) are
- Whiskey and Soda _______ my favorite drink (a) are (b) is (c) have been (d) will be
- Fifty percent of the members _______ arrived (a) has (b) is (c) was (d) have
- Fish and Chips _______ when there is an urgent need for a dish of food (a) come in handy (b) is coming in handy (c) comes in handy (d) are coming in handy
- Either you or he ______ to blame (a) are (b) am (c) is (d) have
- Neither I nor you ______ to travel for the concert (a) is (b) has (c) have (d) will be going
- Either John or his parents _______ to attend the funeral (a) was (b) is (c) are (d) will be
- All _______ well with Peter (a) is not (b) are not (c) were not (d) have not been
- Many a _______________ how to properly iron his clothes (a) young men/know (b) young men/knows (c) young man/knows (d) young man/knows
- Each of the candidates that came late _________ to complete ________ (a) have/this form (b) are having/these forms (c) have/these forms (d) has/this form
- A number of students _______ missed the opportunity to re-register (a) is (b) has (c) have (d) do
- Do you think all _____________ not enough to help the investigator? (a) these informations are (b) this informations are (c) this information is (d) these information are
- The unlucky woman often _______ operations to be delivered of her babies (a) undergoes (b) overgoes (c) understudies (d) underwrites (e) over studies
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