Master the 7 essential rules of concord to improve your English grammar. Learn about the principle of proximity, indefinite pronouns, and the mandative subjunctive with clear examples
Rule 2: Indefinite Pronouns (Everyone/Everybody)
When using indefinite pronouns like everybody or everyone, the following pronouns and verbs must be singular. Even though these words imply a group, they treat the group as individuals.
- Correct: Everybody knows his or her name.
- Incorrect: Everybody knows their name. (Note: While "their" is becoming common in informal speech, formal concord requires the singular).
Rule 3: The Mandative Subjunctive (Prayers & Suggestions)
This is a sophisticated rule often tested in advanced linguistics. When a sentence expresses a prayer, suggestion, wish, demand, recommendation, or resolution, the verb that follows must be in the plural (base) form, even if the subject is singular.
- Suggestion: It has been suggested that he go away (not goes).
- Recommendation: The board has recommended that the manager resign (not resigns).
- Prayer: I pray that God help me in my upcoming examination (not helps).
Rule 4: The Principle of Proximity
The Principle of Proximity states that when a list of nouns or pronouns functions as the subject, the noun closest to the verb determines whether the verb is singular or plural.
Example: If James fails his examination, his teachers, his parents, his friends, or John is to be blamed.
In this case, even though "teachers," "parents," and "friends" are plural, "John" is the nearest noun to the verb, so we use the singular "is."
Rule 5: The "Many-a" Rule
When the phrase "many a" is used, it must be followed by a singular noun and a singular verb.
- Many a candidate (not candidates) speaks (not speak) bad English.
- Many a girl (not girls) is (not are) here.
Rule 6: "A Pair of" Constructions
Certain items like trousers, scissors, and glasses are plural by nature. However, when preceded by the phrase "a pair of," the grammatical focus shifts to the word "pair," which is singular.
- Correct: A pair of trousers lies on the bed.
- Correct: A pair of scissors lies on the table.
Rule 7: Parenthetical Additions (As well as / Together with)
When a singular subject is joined to other subjects using phrases like as well as, including, with, together with, along with, or in addition to, the verb remains singular. These phrases are treated as "extra information" and do not change the number of the main subject.
- Example 1: The king together with his chiefs encouraged the rioting boys. (The subject is the King).
- Example 2: Stylistics, as well as Semantics, is a course in English.
- Example 3: The manager, not many of his workers, is here now.
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