Rules of Concord

Rules of Concord Rule 1 A.The verb and subject must agree in number (singular or plural)- This means that if the subject is singular, the verb should be singular and if the subject is plural, the verb should also be plural. Examples: 1.He plays football. (SINGULAR) 2.They play football. (PLURAL) Rule 2 When everybody or everyone is used, the object must be singular, not plural. For example, Everybody knows his or her name, not: Everybody knows their name. Rule 3 When prayer, suggestion, wish, demand, recommendation, or resolution is used in a sentence, the verb that follows must be plural, whether the subject is singular or plural. For example; 1. It has been suggested that he go away. 2. The board has recommended that the manager resign. 3. I pray that God help me on my upcoming examination. Rule 4 The principle of proximity This principle states that when there is a list of nouns or pronouns at the level of the subject, it is the nearest noun or pronoun to the position of the verb that will determine the choice of the verb. Example, 1.If James fails his examination, his teachers, his parents, his friends, or John ( ) to be blamed. 2.The correct option to fill that blank space is, “is” not “are” Rule 5 When many – a is used, the verb and the noun that follows must be Singular. Example, 1. Many a candidate (not candidates) speaks (not speak) bad English expressions. 2. Many a girl (not girls) is (not are) here. Rule 6 When “a pair of” is used, the verb must be singular. Example: 1. A pair of trousers (not trouser) lies (not lie) on the bed. 2. A pair of scissors lies (not lie) on the table. Rule 7 A singular subject joined to other subjects by as well as, including, with, together with, along with, in addition to uses the singular verb. Example: 1. The king together with his chiefs encouraged the rioting boys. 2. Stylistics, as well as Semantics, is a course in English. 3. The manager, not many of his workers, is (not are) here now.