My Article on Concord

                               Subject-Verb-Agreement

                                      [Concord]

     ‘Concord’ means relation or agreement.The word ‘ concord ‘comes from the Ancient Roman goddess Cocordia, goddess of agreement and understanding.

In general,we use singular verb after singular subject,plural verb after plural subject.But sometimes, based on meaning,we have to use plural verb after singular subject,singular verb after plural subject.So, to know the relation/agreement  between subject and verb we should learn some of the rules.This topic plays a vital role for spotting errors in English Grammar .

Rules:

Ø One of is always followed by plural noun singular verb.If we use any other subject before one of   the verb should be plural.[noun is always plural.]

Eg:1.One of the employees was suspended.

              2.One of my friends has made this mischief.

           3.He is one of my friends who are in teaching profession.[here,we used a subject before one of ,so plural verb is used.]

Ø Each,Every,Either, Neither,Many a,Morethan one ------are followedby sigular verb,eventhough they denote plural sense.

ü Each is used for limited/countable number and Every is used for unlimited/uncountable number.

Eg:1.Each book is costly in open market.

           2.Each student works hard in our class.

ü In this sentence, Each student means we know the exact number of students in the class.

           3.Every citizen has to know the importance of education.

ü In this sentence  we don’t know the exact number of citizens in the country so we have to say every citizen not each citizen.

           4.Every teacher is resposible for the growth of a student.

           5.Either of the two shirts is good.[It means two shirts are good.]

          6.Either of the two doctors treats you well.

         7.Neither of the suggestions is good.[It means two suggestions are not good]

         8.Neither of two candidates is fit for this job.

        9..Many a story was written by her.[It means among many stories one story was wriitten by her.]

      Note:Many a is followed by singular noun and singular verb.

              10..Morethan one movie is watched by her everymonth.

Ø As well as,excluding,including,together with,alongwith,except,but,no lessthan,---- these words are followed by the verb according to the first subject.

Eg:1.He as well as you is tired.

2.All his brothers excluding he live inAmerica.

3.All her sisters including her cousin have done PG.

4.The team leader together with team members has made the project successful.

5.He along with his parents has attended the marriage.

6.All his friends except he are in business.

7.All the employees but CEO have attended the conference.

8.She no less than you is good at English.

Ø Either-or,Neither-nor,Not only-but also,----are followed by the verb according to the second subject.

Eg:1.Either he or we have to pay for the damage.

2.Neither his friends nor his parents have helped him in need.

3.Not only he but also his colleagues have got the promotion.

Ø If collective noun indicates the sense of  oneness the verb should be singular.If it is divided the verb should be plural.

Group of similar things –A bunch of grapes..

Eg:1.The Jury has taken unanimous decision.

Here, jury means a group of judges.the group indicates oneness so we have to use singular verb.

2.The Jury are divided in opinion.

Here,the group of judges divided in their opinion .so, we have to use plural verb.

3.A company of soldiers has been sent to the border.[here all the solidiers sent to one place so sigular verb is used]

4.A Company of soldiers have deployed in desrupted areas.[here all the soldiers dispersed into different places so plural verb is used.]

5.$ 1000 dollars was given to him.[here,$1000 dollars given to one person only so singular verb is enough]

6.$1000 dollars were shared to all the players.[here,the same $1000 dollars was shared to players and so we have to use plural verb].

Ø Some nouns look plural but  they are singular in meaning.And so,we have to use singular verb after them.

The nouns are:News,innings,series,mumps,mesles,rickets,physics,mathematics,civics,Billiards,Furniture,luggage.

Eg:1.No news is good news in today’s news paper.

2.The first innings is just over.

3.Mumps is not a dangerous disease.

4.Measles is cured in  tradtional methods.

5.Rickets is caused due to the defficiency of vitamin’D’.

6.Billiards is not a popular game in India.

7.All the furniture is shifted to the new house.

8.The luggage has been kept in locker.

9.Mathematics is evergreen subject.

Ø Some nouns are singular in appearance but plural in meaning.That’s why we have to use plural verb after them.

The nouns are:People,police,clergy,Gentry,Infantry,poultry,Youth,Alphabet,Cattle[no singular form to these nouns.]

Eg: 1.The people of this village are mostly illiterate.

2.The police have reached the spot immediately.

3.Alphabet  are 26 in number.

 4.The cattle are grazing in the field.

The Clergy have completed morning adoration.

Ø Book titles&Cinema titles are always sigular.

Eg: 1.Gulliver travels was written by Swift.

2.Bichagadu is a wonderful movie.

Ø The measurements of height,weight,time,distance,amount of money are considered singular.

Eg:1.50 miles is not a great distance now-a-days.

2.100 rupees is not a big sum to contribute.

3.50 kgs is not a much weight to lift up.

Ø If we use ‘the’ article before an adjective it becomes an generic noun and followed by plural verb.

Eg:1.The rich [means rich people] are able to afford education now-a-days.

2.The wise have opportunities wherever they go.

Ø Some of,most of,lot of,plenty of,a great deal of,---are followedby singular verb for quantity and plural verb for number.

Eg:1.Some of books[number] in the library are spoiled.

2.Some of water[quantity] is left in the jug .

3.Most of the time is wasted.

4. A great deal of money is spent.

5.Plenty of natural resources are wasted.

                     Thank you.