Concord in English Grammar: Making Subjects and Verbs Agree
Concord, also known as subject-verb agreement, is a fundamental grammatical rule in English. It dictates that the verb in a sentence must match the subject in number and person. This ensures that your sentences sound grammatically correct.
Here's a breakdown of concord and how it works:
1. Singular Subject, Singular Verb:
* Example: The dog barks loudly.
* "Dog" is singular, so the verb "barks" is also singular.
2. Plural Subject, Plural Verb:
* Example: The dogs bark loudly.
* "Dogs" is plural, so the verb "bark" is also plural.
3. Compound Subjects Joined by "and":
* Example: The cat and the dog are playing in the yard.
* "Cat" and "dog" are both singular, but joined by "and" they become a plural subject, requiring the plural verb "are".
4. Compound Subjects Joined by "or" or "nor":
* Example: Either the cat or the dog is going to stay inside.
* The verb agrees with the subject closest to it. "Dog" is singular, so the verb "is" is singular.
5. Indefinite Pronouns:
* Singular: each, every, one, someone, anyone, nobody, everybody, anything, something, nothing.
* Example: Everyone knows the rules.
* Plural: both, few, many, several
* Example: Many are coming to the party.
6. Collective Nouns:
* Can be singular or plural depending on the context.
* Example: The team is playing well. (The team is acting as a unit).
* Example: The team are arguing about the strategy. (The team members are acting individually).
7. "There" as a subject:
* The verb agrees with the noun following "there."
* Example: There is a new book on the table.
* Example: There are many books in the library.
8. Words Between Subject and Verb:
* Don't be misled by words or phrases coming between the subject and verb.
* Example: The girl who is wearing the red dress is my sister.
* "Girl" is the subject, not "dress."
9. Special Cases:
* "None": Can be singular or plural depending on context.
* Example: None of the food is left.
* Example: None of the students are here today.
* "More": Can be singular or plural depending on context.
* Example: More of the cake is gone.
* Example: More of the children are coming to the party.
Conclusion:
Mastering concord is crucial for clear and grammatically correct writing. It ensures that your sentences flow smoothly and convey your intended meaning. Always be mindful of the subject and verb agreement within your sentences to communicate effectively.