1. Singular Subjects Take Singular Verbs:
- "The cat sits on the mat." (singular subject, singular verb)
2. Plural Subjects Take Plural Verbs:
- "The cats sit on the mats." (plural subject, plural verb)
3. Indefinite Pronouns:
- "Everyone is here." (singular indefinite pronoun, singular verb)
- "Both are ready." (plural indefinite pronoun, plural verb)
4. Compound Subjects:
- "The dog and the cat are playing." (compound subject, plural verb)
- "The dog or the cat is playing." (compound subject, singular verb when joined by "or" or "nor")
5. Collective Nouns:
- "The team is winning." (collective noun acting as a single unit, singular verb)
- "The team are arguing about strategy." (collective noun acting as individuals, plural verb)
6. Inverted Sentences:
- "There are five apples in the basket." (inverted sentence; verb agrees with the subject "apples")
7. Relative Clauses:
- "The woman who is sitting on the bench is my aunt." (relative pronoun agrees with the noun it refers to)
8. "None" & "Any":
- "None is left." (singular verb, when referring to an uncountable noun or a singular amount)
- "None are left." (plural verb, when referring to a plural amount)
9. "Each," "Every," "Neither," and "Either":
- "Each is important." (singular subject, singular verb)
10. "More than one":
- "More than one person is here." (singular verb, even though "one" is singular, "more than one" functions as a singular unit)
11. Fractions and Percentages:
- "Two-thirds of the cake is gone." (verb agrees with the noun that follows "of")
12. "Everybody" and "Nobody":
- "Everybody is excited." (singular verb, these are singular indefinite pronouns)
13. "The number" vs. "A number":
- "The number of students is increasing." (singular verb, "number" is singular)
- "A number of students are here." (plural verb, "number" is plural)
14. Titles of Books, Plays, and Movies:
- "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is a great book." (title is treated as a singular unit)
15. Expressions of Time, Money, and Distance:
- "Five years is a long time."
- "Five dollars is the price."
- "Ten miles is a long walk."
Important Notes:
- These are general guidelines. There are always exceptions and nuances.
- Practice and exposure to a wide range of written and spoken English will help you master concord.
- Consider consulting a grammar guide or dictionary for more specific information.
Remember, concord is about ensuring that your writing is clear and grammatically correct. By understanding these principles, you can avoid common errors and express your ideas effectively.