Concord_2025

What is Concord?

  • Definition: Concord refers to agreement or harmony.

  • In Grammar: It signifies grammatical agreement, especially between the subject and verb of a sentence.

  • Importance: Mastering subject-verb concord is critical in language skills.

Basics of Concord

  • Subject-Verb Concord:

    • Agreement between the subject and verb; a singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb.

    • Example:

      • Singular: "The dog barks."

      • Plural: "The dogs bark."

Examples of Concord

Basic Examples

  • Incorrect: "The pages is held together by a staple."

  • Correct: "The pages are held together by a staple."

More Complex Examples

  • Example with Phrase:

    • Incorrect: "The message between the lines are that we need to finish before Monday."

    • Correct: "The message between the lines is that we need to finish before Monday."

Subject Identification

  • Examples:

    • Incorrect: "The case of champagne bottles are for the year-end party."

    • Correct: "The case of champagne bottles is for the year-end party."

    • Explanation: “Sentiment” is singular, thus it agrees with the singular verb “is.”

Compound Subjects

Two Subjects with Either/Or and Neither/Nor

  • Rule: Use singular verb if both subjects are singular.

  • Examples:

    • Correct: "Neither Sibongile nor Ted has the keys."

    • Correct: "Either Mary or Shandu is manning the desk."

Mixed Subjects

  • Example:

    • Correct: "Neither Sibongile nor the personal assistants have the keys."

    • Correct: "Either the stewards or Mary is manning the desk."

    • Note: The verb agrees with the subject closest to it.

Subjects Connected by 'And'

  • Rule: When two subjects are connected by 'and', use the plural verb.

    • Example: "Tshepiso and Sbo are responsible for..."

  • Exceptions:

    • Compound subjects as a singular unit.

    • Subjects that are the same person or entity.

Plural Subjects Using Singular Verbs

  • Rule: Use a singular verb for singular concepts of distance, time, or money.

    • Examples:

      • "Ninety-five cents is..."

      • "One hundred kilometers is..."

  • Key Words: Each, everyone, anybody, etc. all require singular verbs.

    • Example: "Each of our staff members has..."

Collective Nouns

  • Definition: Subjects that represent a group as a single entity use singular verbs.

    • Examples:

      • "The board wants..."

      • "The staff is..."

  • Common Mistake: Using plural verbs incorrectly.

    • Incorrect: "The staff are..."

    • Correct: "The staff is..."

Exercise: Choose the Correct Verb Form

    1. Neither of the students (was/were) prepared...

    1. The committee (has/have) decided...

    1. Either the manager or his assistants (is/are) responsible...

    1. A number of people (believes/believe)...

    1. The team, along with their coach, (was/were) excited...

    1. Each of the books (is/are) arranged...

    1. Not only the students but also the teacher (wants/want)...

    1. Mathematics (is/are) a challenging subject...

    1. The president, as well as his advisors, (delivers/deliver) speeches...

    1. The pair of shoes (is/are) on sale...

Answers to Exercise

    1. was

    1. has

    1. are

    1. believe

    1. was

    1. is

    1. wants

    1. is

    1. delivers

    1. is

Thank You!

  • Appreciate your attention and effort to master concord!