Hello, Students!

Welcome back! Today, we’re diving into an essential part of English grammar – Concord, also known as Subject-Verb Agreement. This might sound technical, but it’s simply about making sure that the subject and the verb in a sentence match. It’s like making sure your shoes match your outfit – everything needs to be in agreement!

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What is Concord?

Concord refers to the grammatical rule where the verb in a sentence must agree with its subject in number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, or third person).

Why is Concord Important?

Correct subject-verb agreement is crucial for clear communication. If your sentences don’t follow this rule, they can sound awkward, confusing, or even incorrect.

Basic Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement

1. Singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs.
   • Singular Example: The cat runs fast.
   • Plural Example: The cats run fast.
2. When two subjects are joined by “and,” use a plural verb.
   • Example: John and Mary are going to the market.
3. When two subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb should agree with the subject closer to it.
   • Example: Neither the teacher nor the students are ready.
   • Example: Either the students or the teacher is ready.
4. With collective nouns, the verb can be singular or plural depending on whether the group is considered a single unit or individual members.
   • Example: The team is winning. (As a single unit)
   • Example: The team are arguing among themselves. (As individual members)
5. Some nouns look plural but are actually singular. These nouns take a singular verb.
   • Example: Mathematics is interesting.
   • Example: News is on TV every night.
6. For indefinite pronouns like “everyone,” “someone,” “nobody,” etc., use a singular verb.
   • Example: Everyone is invited to the party.

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Common Mistakes in Subject-Verb Agreement

Let’s look at some common mistakes and how to fix them:

1. Mistake: The data shows a rise in temperature.
   • Correction: The data show a rise in temperature. (Data is a plural noun; the correct verb is “show”.)
2. Mistake: One of the boys are going to play.
   • Correction: One of the boys is going to play. (“One” is the subject, which is singular.)
3. Mistake: Each of the students have a book.
   • Correction: Each of the students has a book. (“Each” is always singular.)

Agreement with Irregular Verbs

Some verbs don’t follow the regular rules, especially irregular verbs. Be sure to remember these:

• He has a pen. (Not “he have a pen.”)
• She does her homework. (Not “she do her homework.”)

Exercises to Practice

1. Choose the correct verb form:
   • The cake (is/are) delicious.
   • Neither the boys nor the girl (has/have) finished their work.
   • The jury (was/were) divided in their opinions.
2. Rewrite the sentences with the correct subject-verb agreement:
   • The list of items are on the table.
   • My friend, along with his brothers, have arrived.
   • The books or the pen are on the desk.

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Helpful Tips to Remember:

1. Identify the Subject First: Always identify the true subject of the sentence. Don’t get confused by words that come in between.
2. Check for Words that May Change the Agreement: Be mindful of words like “neither,” “either,” “each,” “every,” and “none,” as they often require singular verbs.
3. Practice Makes Perfect: The more you practice writing and speaking in English, the more familiar you will become with these rules.

Why Does This Matter?

Mastering concord helps you communicate clearly and effectively. It’s an essential skill for writing essays, taking exams, and even speaking confidently. Understanding these rules will make you sound more fluent and grammatically correct.

Homework:

1. Find 5 sentences in a newspaper or a book and identify the subject and the verb. Check if they agree.
2. Write 5 sentences of your own, ensuring correct subject-verb agreement.

Conclusion

Well done, everyone! You’ve learned about subject-verb agreement, which is a foundational part of writing and speaking in English. Keep practicing these rules, and they will become second nature to you. In our next lesson, we’ll explore Question Tags – another exciting topic!

Until then, remember: practice makes perfect! 😊

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See you in the next lesson, and keep up the great work!