Concord

Concord/Subject-Verb Agreement
Concord simply means to be in agreement. Quirk (2010) defined concord as the relationship
between two grammatical units that align a particular feature with a displayed feature in the
other.

 When talking about concord, we are talking about agreement/relationship between a

pronoun and its antecedent.
 Also, the relationship between a subject and its verb. A “subject” is a noun or pronoun
that tells us what the sentence talks about and a “verb” represents the action in the
sentence.
 The subject and verb must be in agreement. A verb must agree with its subject in number
or person. Such an agreement is called “Concord”.
 Areas to consider under concord/ subject-verb agreement.
o subject/verb agreement
o pronoun / antecedent agreement
 The predicate/verb must agree with the subject in number and in person. By number, we
mean the subject can be singular or plural.
 Compound, collective and mass nouns are treated as singular or plural. In addition to
being singular or plural, a subject can also of the 1st, 2nd or 3rd person.
 In the case of Person, a subject can be First Person Singular (I), Plural (We); Second
person singular (You) or Third person singular (He/She/It); plural (They).
 Person can be seen as the relationship between the speaker and what he is speaking about.
When he speaks about himself, it is the FIRST PERSON (I, we, me/us). The person he
speaks to is the SECOND PERSON which has a general meaning of “you”. The person
or thing I speak about to you is the THIRD PERSON. These persons are illustrated
below:
o PERSON SPEAKING/WRITING – 1ST (I, we, me/us)
o PERSON SPOKEN TO (HEARER) – 2ND (you)
o PERSON SPOKEN ABOUT – 3RD (It, he, she, they)
o Example: I am, was, have, do, go, eat, sing
 o We are/were/do/have/go/eat/sing
o You are/have, were, do, go, sing
o He/she/is/was/does/has/goes/eats/sings
o They/are/were/do/have/go/eat/sing

For example,

a. In the summer, I walk two miles a day.

b. I expect a raise next month.
c. We celebrate Thanksgiving in an untraditional way.
d. They join me in thanking you for your help.
e. You hold this end of the rope.
f. Firefighters deserve our respect.
g. It appears to be broken
h. The hospital employs two hundred people.

BASIC RULES FOR SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

1. GENERAL RULE: A singular subject must take a singular verb whereas a plural subject
will take a plural verb.
2. A singular subject requires a singular verb: Mass,non-coun/uncountable nouns are
considered singular and they, therefore, take singular verbs:
a. Water comes into our rooms when it rains.
b. Sand is very expensive these days.
c. Salt is a necessity commodity.
3. If the subject is a singular noun, the verb ends in “s”. Note: In most verbs, the singular
verb has an “s” while the plural does not. The placement of that “s” should be carefully
noted because it has been the cause of a considerable number of grammatical errors in
students’ writing.
e.g.

a. A friend from my high school days i. The messenger is two hours late
 is visiting me next week.
b. Jack enjoys long walks.
c. The cake takes an hour to bake.
d. Dad enjoys fishing on Sunday
afternoons.
e. The cat sleeps practically any
where.
f. One player needs to stay back in
defense all the time.
g. The basement is flooded.
h. Sir Newton likes playing football
and table tennis.
4. If the subject is plural the verb doesn’t end in “s”. A plural subject agrees with a plural
verb.
e.g.
a. The boys enjoy long walks.
b. The cats sleep practically any
where.
c. Two players need to stay back in
defense all the time.
d. Group 63 members are presenting
tomorrow.
5. Nouns joined by “and” are considered plural if they refer to two identifiable entities
and therefore take a plural verb.
a. Water and oil are liquids.
b. Esi and Mike have been great friends.
with my package.
j. The movie has a happy ending.
k. For her birthday, Lois enjoys eating
in a restaurant.
l. George goes to college during the
week and works on weekends. My
son plays table tennis after lunch.
m. Sir Newton likes playing football
and table tennis.
n. The messenger is two hours late
with my package.
o. The movie has a happy ending.
 My sons play table tennis after
lunch.
 The boys enjoy long walks.
 The players jubilate after winning
their first match.

e. The mayor and her husband attend
our church.
 c. What I say and what I think are my f. Tom and Jerry are good friends.
own affair. g. Faith and Eli are in charge of the
d. The mayor and her husband attend operation.
our church.

6. The singular form of the verb is used when the two singular nouns connected by
“and” refer to the same subject or idea. When nouns joined by “and” refer to a
single unit or entity, they are regarded as singular:

a. My boss and wife has something to i. Boozing and not eating is dangerous
say. to one’s health.
b. The novelist and poet is dead. j. My girlfriend and boss is outspoken.
c. Fufu and light soup is my delicacy. k. Rice and beans is my favourite meal.
d. Beans and plantain is boys’ favourite. l. The President of Ghana and
e. Akple and Okro soup is my favourite Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana
food. Armed Forces has been appointed as
f. My study-mate and president of the the Chairman of the Economic
JCR has to make that decision. Community of West African States
g. Her sister and manager works hard (ECOWAS) authority.
for her firm. m. His friend and partner is very patient.
h. His mother and mentor was with him n. Her sister and manager works hard
at his deathbed. for her firm.
o. Your fairness and impartiality has
been much appreciated.

7. Pseudo conjunction concord

When a singular subject is followed immediately by pseudo conjunctions or words such as

“with”, “together with”, “along with”, “in addition to”, “as well as”, “in conjunction with”,
“under the auspices of”, including”, “in collaboration with”, “but”, “not less than”, “as much as”,
“like”, “alongside”, the singular verb is required no matter the status of the subject that comes
after these words/construction. It is important that the verb agrees with only the first subject and
you must ignore the second subject. In such situation, the first subject controls the verb and
determines the concord.

e.g

a. The student as well as the lecturers has
the credit for such high performance.,
b. My notebook in addition to my files is
missing.
c. Their mother no less than their father
contributes towards their education.
d. Obama together with his wife visits
Cape Coast Castle.
e. This assignment together with the
presentation completes our assessment
for the semester.
f. The students as well as their teacher do
not know the price of the drawing
sheet.
g. The Chief Executive together with his
assistant was elected into office.
h. The President with his Vice-President
was invited for the party.
i. Louisa together with her siblings loves
their Mum.
j. Patricia as well as Augusta loves
Grammar.
k. Nuru as well as Ali is going to mosque.
l. In addition to a BA certificate, three
years relevant work experience is
required.
m. The President with his ministers has
visted the scene of the disaster.

8. Proximity Concord

This rule states that when two or more subjects are joined by or/nor, either…or, or neither…nor,
the verb should agree with the nearest subject. The subject that is closest to the verb determines
the concord. The first subject is ignored.

e.g

a. Either the Mayor or her deputy decides l. Not Asante but his students are
 what we should do. responsible for the mass failure.
b. Either the Mayor or the deputies m. Either the parents or their son steals the
decide what we should do. fowls.
c. Either your brakes or your eyesight is n. Neither Acheapong nor Akuffo and
at fault. Afrifa were executed with any
d. Either the players or the coach is at convincing reason.
fault. o. Neither the President nor the Vice-
e. Not only she but her son has left. President was in the country at the
f. Not just the students but even their time.
teacher is watching the film. p. Neither John nor his children are
g. No one except his supporters agree required to attend.
with him. q. Neither the coach nor the players like te
h. Neither salt nor pepper is good for my new dressing room.
health. r. Neither the teachers nor the parents are
i. Not Sprite but Coke is my favourite. to blame.
j. Either the teacher or his pupils pay for s. Mary or her sisters are going to keep
the stolen books. the appointment.
k. Not the Keta Sea Defence Project but t. Neither Samson nor his son is going
Ada Sea Defence Project was fishing today.
considered by the Praliamentary u. Either John or Arthur wins the race.
Committee.

9. The following indefinite pronouns such as anybody, anyone, somebody, someone,

something, something, each, one, everybody, everyone, everything, neither, no one,
nobody are all singular and take the singular form of the verb.

e.g

a. Each contestant gets two million q. Everyone has lunch money.

cedis. r. Much has been written about
b. Neither store was opened. grammar.
s. Some one is going to meet us at the
 c. Either player was rejected. air the air port.
d. Every parent loves his or her t. No one is allowed here.
children. u. Everything an hour is time
e. Each student has lunch money. consuming.
f. Everybody here knows that time is v. Everything about the plan is bad.
money. w. Nobody has the right to take
g. While one calls, the other responds. another’s life.
h. Each room has room has its own x. No one dares to disagree with the
washroom. decision of the committee.
i. Somebody has taken a stand on the y. So far no money has been spent on
issue. import duties.
j. Every parent loves his or her z. Each contestant gets two million
children. cedis.
k. Each student has lunch money. aa. Neither store was opened.
l. Everybody here knows that time is bb. Either player was rejected.
money. cc. No one is allowed here.
m. Everyone has lunch money. dd. Everything an hour is time
n. Much has been written about consuming.
grammar. ee. Everything about the plan is bad.
o. Some one is going to meet us at the ff. Nobody has the right to take
air the air port. another’s life.
p. No one dares to disagree with the
decision of the committee.

10. The following pronouns are several, many, both, few, others are plural and therefore
take plural form of the verb

a. Both are likely to be arrested. g. Few of the students have been

b. Few of the groups are below standard. dismissed.
c. Several of the questions seem difficult. h. Both boys expect high grades.
d. Many of the students work hard. i. Both of us are planning to be there.
e. Several students have failed the quiz. j. Many of the workers take their
f. Other scholars have advanced that vacations in August.
concord is an agreement between the k. Few of the students have been
subject and the verb. dismissed.

11. Some indefinite pronouns are either singular of plural. These include some, most, none,
all, any, a lot etc..
a. None of the students has failed the exams.
b. All the books have titles.
c. All my sisters are teachers.
d. Some of the food has been left for you.
e. Some cement has arrived.
f. None of the money has been spent.
g. None of the students has failed the exams.
h. All the books have titles.
i. All my sisters are teachers.
j. All of the cake has been eaten.
k. Some of the food has been left for you.

12. When a singular subject is followed by a plural modifier, a singular verb is required.

a. The leader of the rebel forces has been
arrested.
b. The vision of past directors is worthy of
attention.
c. One of the girls in the choir is pregnant.
d. One of my children has a very good
appetite. The mother of the children
comes here often.
e. The Chairman of the heads of states of
ECOWAS is the President of Republic
of Ghana.
f. One of the books on the shelf is
missing.
g. One of the men under the tree is my
uncle.
h. The mother of the children comes here
 often.

13. The verb in the relative clause must agree with its antecedent. The following words who,
that, which, where, when, whose, those are Relative pronouns that take verbs that agree
with their antecedents.

e.g

a. This is the boy who tells us sweet g. Here is an example of my paintings

stories.
b. We saw the men who steal our fowls.
c. He is one of the men who call
themselves as adviors.
d. One of the books that are on the shelf is
missing.
e. One of the girls who sing in the choir is
pregnant.
f. This is one of the scientists who work
on the AIDS vaccine.
which demonstrate my philosophy.
h. She has been one of the women who
encourage young girls.
i. His son is one of the boys who play
tennis for the school.
j. Sir Newton is one of Course
Demonstrators who work diligently.
k. This is the finest of the books that
describe life in the British colonies.
l. These regular regulations apply to
everyone who takes this course.

14. Notional Concord

Collective nouns may be singular or plural depending on whether they are referring to the
groups as a single entity or to the people in the group. Here, the selection of the verbs depends on
the context. When the collective nouns act as individuals, the verb is plural, but if they are
considered as a unit , they take singular verbs. Examples of collective nouns: gang, committee,
congregation, band, majority, crowd, faculty, jury, family, clergy, audience, army, team etc..

a. The team plays well these days. (as an l. The committee have approved the
entity) SINGULAR budget. (individual members)
b. The team kick against the decision m. My family celebrates every birthday in
made by the management. (the a modest manner.
individual members) PLURAL n. My family hold the most divergent
c. The jury dismiss the petitioners’ case. views on the subject
d. The jury was made up of six judges o. The audience applauds at the end of
from the Supreme Court. each performance.
e. The jury were unable to reach a verdit p. The audience were divided in their
after three days. appreciation of the play.
f. The jury normally acts very swiftly in q. The faculty of the University of Cape
deciding such cases. Coast is an eminent one.
g. The army has a lot of logistical r. The faculty have voted against the new
problems. housing policy.
h. The army receive their salaries s. The majority of Ghanaians prefer
bimonthly. constitutional rule.
i. The committee has approved the t. The majority wants its side to be heard
budget. (committee as a unit) all the time.
j. The staff is meeting. (focus on entity)
k. The staff are meeting. (focus on
individuals)

15. Concord rule regarding “Many a” and “Every”: “Every” or “Many a” before a noun or a
series of nouns takes a singular verb.
 Every one of the books is a best-seller.
 Every boy and girl in the class understands the questions on the exams.
 Many a student believes that Mathematics is difficult.
 Many a teacher dislikes disobedient students.
16. Concord of money, measurement, distance, volume, fractions and time: When a noun
denoting money, measurement, distance, volume, fractions and time is used as the subject
of a sentence, the verb will be singular.
 Ten dollars is all I have left.
  Fifteen years represents a long period of his life.
 Two thirds of the area is under water.
 Two miles is as far as they can walk.
 Ten kilometers is a long walk.
 In the morning, 10: 00 am is the best time of the day.
 One fourth of the cake has been eaten.
 Ten dollars is enough to buy a quality shoe.
17. Singular nouns ending with the plural inflection “s”, for e.g., mathematics, mumps,
physics, linguistics, phonetics, economics, civics, statistics, news, tuberculosis, means
etc require singular form of the verb.
 No news is good news.
 Measles is sometimes serious.
 Statistics is a difficult subject. (Exceptions: Statistics show that food prices will go
up./ Statistics indicate that campus relationships does not always end in
marriage.)
 Statistics is an interesting course in tertiary institutions.
 Semantics is the study of signs or symbols.
 Politics is an area for corrupt people.
 The means of transport on campus has been catered for by the SRC.

NOTE: Exceptions: (Trousers, scissors, athletics, tactics are plural and take plural verbs)

18. Concord rule regarding “A number of”, “The number of”, “A majority of”, “The
majority of”, “A total of”, “The total of” etc. “A number of” takes a plural verb while
“The number of” takes a singular verb.
 A number of people have applied for the job.
 A number of female students are lesbians.
 A number of students have been admitted at the university hospital.
 A number of books have been missing from the library.
 The number of students admitted this year has increased tremendously.
 The number of people in the stadium is enormous.
  The number of students who participated in the Google Meet class is high.
 The number of COVID-19 patients in our hospitals is increasing.
 The number of people who turned up was awesome.
19. When adjectives that signify a group or category of people are used as subjects in
sentences, the verbs must be plural. For e.g., the poor, the rich, the police, the
wealthy, the youth, the successful, the gifted, the young, the aged, the handicapped,
the helpless, the voiceless, the vulnerable etc. These words are used to refer to a group
of people. For e.g, the poor refers to people who are poor in that instance. So, we do not
have the form, the poors

 For e.g.
 Blessed are the poor for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
 The vulnerable are to be supported.
 The rich have to support the government to assist the gifted people in the society.
 The weak are always left to their fates in many schools in Ghana.
 The police are arresting those who refuse to wear their nose masks.
20. Titles of books, names of organizations or countries regardless of their singular or
plural forms, usually take singular verbs.

 “A boy on the swing” is a beautiful poem

 “The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born” is one of my favorite African novels.
 Ghana is my motherland.