CONCORD
Notes on Concord
Concord refers to the agreement between different parts of a sentence. The
primary types of concord are as follows:
1. Subject-Verb Concord: The subject and the verb must agree in number
(singular or plural).
o Example: The teacher speaks. (Singular subject "teacher" with
singular verb "speaks")
o Example: The teachers speak. (Plural subject "teachers" with
plural verb "speak")
2. Noun-Pronoun Concord: Pronouns must agree with the nouns they
replace in terms of number, gender, and person.
o Example: The boy lost his book. (Singular noun "boy" with singular
pronoun "his")
o Example: The girls lost their books. (Plural noun "girls" with plural
pronoun "their")
3. Concord with Collective Nouns: Collective nouns like team, family,
audience, committee can take either singular or plural verbs, depending
on whether the group is viewed as a unit or as individuals.
o Example: The team is winning. (Singular: viewing the team as a
unit)
o Example: The team are arguing among themselves. (Plural:
viewing the members as individuals)
4. Concord with Indefinite Pronouns: Some indefinite pronouns like
everyone, someone, each, and nobody take singular verbs, while others
like few, many, both, and several take plural verbs.
o Example: Everyone is excited. (Singular)
o Example: Few are attending the event. (Plural)
5. Concord with Correlative Conjunctions: When using pairs like either...or,
neither...nor, both...and, the subject closest to the verb determines the
verb form.
o Example: Either the teacher or the students are responsible. (Plural
subject "students")
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Example: Neither the teacher nor the student is responsible.
(Singular subject "student")
6. Concord with 'None': The word "none" can take either singular or plural
verbs, depending on whether it refers to a singular or plural noun.
o Example: None of the cake is left. (Singular)
o Example: None of the apples are ripe. (Plural)
7. Concord in Phrasal Subjects: Compound subjects formed by using and,
or, etc., determine whether the verb is singular or plural.
o Example: Peanut butter and jelly is my favourite snack. (Singular
subject)
o Example: Peanut butter and jam are available in different flavours.
(Plural subject)
8. Concord in Complex Sentences: In sentences with multiple clauses, the
subject and verb in the main clause and any dependent clauses must
agree.
o Example: The book that she borrowed is on the table. (Singular
subject "book")
o Example: The books that she borrowed are on the table. (Plural
subject "books")
9. Concord with "There" + "Be" Sentences: In sentences starting with
there is or there are, the verb must agree with the noun that follows.
o Example: There is a book on the table. (Singular)
o Example: There are books on the table. (Plural)
10.Concord with More than One: The phrase more than one usually takes
singular agreement.
o Example: More than one student has arrived late.
11.Concord in Conditional Sentences: In conditional sentences, subjectverb agreement follows the usual rules for the subject and verb in both
the if-clause and the main clause.
o Example: If she is ready, we can leave. (Singular)
o Example: If they are ready, we can leave. (Plural)
o
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Exercise: Fill in the Blanks
1. Neither the teacher nor the students _____ present in the class yesterday. (was /
were)
2. The dog and the cat _____ hungry. (is / are)
3. Each of the teachers _____ preparing for the lesson. (is / are)
4. The committee _____ made their decision. (has / have)
5. Neither the bread nor the cakes _____ fresh. (is / are)
6. The family _____ visiting their relatives this weekend. (is / are)
7. Everyone in the class _____ completed their assignments. (has / have)
8. The team _____ practising for the tournament. (is / are)
9. The children in the group _____ happy with the surprise. (was / were)
10. Neither of the options _____ suitable. (is / are)
11. Both of the reports _____ accurate. (is / are)
12. More than one book _____ missing. (was / were)
13. The woman with the two dogs _____ walking down the street. (is / are)
14. The students and the teacher _____ excited for the event. (is / are)
15. None of the cake _____ left. (is / are)
16. Neither the teacher nor the student _____ responsible for the delay. (was / were)
17. Neither the students nor the teacher _____ heard the announcement. (has / have)
18. The books on the shelf _____ covered in dust. (is / are)
19. Each of the boys _____ bringing their own lunch tomorrow. (is / are)
20. The manager, along with his assistants, _____ in charge of the meeting. (is / are)
21. The audience _____ clapping for the performance. (was / were)
22. More than one student _____ called to the principal's office. (was / were)
23. Neither of the teachers _____ available today. (is / are)
24. If she _____ available, we can go to the concert. (is / are)
25. If they _____ here, we could begin the meeting. (were / was)
26. The children and their parents _____ excited for the holiday. (is / are)
27. Neither the soup nor the sandwich _____ fresh. (was / were)
28. Neither of the paintings _____ original. (is / are)
29. Both the teacher and the students _____ ready for the presentation. (is / are)
30. Everyone in the room _____ a chance to speak. (has / have)
31. The committee _____ scheduled the meeting for tomorrow. (has / have)
32. The police _____ investigating the case. (is / are)
33. The book that I borrowed _____ on the table. (is / are)
34. More than one person _____ interested in the job. (was / were)
35. The dog, along with its puppies, _____ playing outside. (is / are)
36. There _____ a new film in the cinema. (is / are)
37. Neither the students nor the teacher _____ happy with the decision. (was / were)
38. There _____ many opportunities for advancement. (is / are)
39. The jury _____ deliberating on the verdict. (is / are)
40. Neither the company nor its employees _____ aware of the policy changes. (was /
were)
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Memo (Answers):
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