Subject-verb ConcordSubject-verb Concord

Introduction:Introduction:

• Concord, also termed “agreement”, can Concord, also termed “agreement”, can be defined as “the relationship between be defined as “the relationship between two grammatical units such that one of two grammatical units such that one of them displays a particular feature (e.g. them displays a particular feature (e.g. plurality) that accords with a displayed (or plurality) that accords with a displayed (or semantically implicit) feature in the other. ” semantically implicit) feature in the other. ” (Quirk et al., 1985:755)(Quirk et al., 1985:755)

• Concord refers to the agreement Concord refers to the agreement relationship between two grammatical relationship between two grammatical units.units.

Subject-verb concordSubject-verb concord

The most important type of the The most important type of the concordconcord

The number agreement between the The number agreement between the subject and the verbsubject and the verb

1. Guiding principles1. Guiding principles

• Grammatical concordGrammatical concord

• Notional concordNotional concord

• proximityproximity

Grammatical concordGrammatical concord

The Verb must match its subject both in peThe Verb must match its subject both in person and number. Singular subjects take sinrson and number. Singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural vgular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs.erbs.

e.g.e.g. Each boy Each boy hashas his own book. his own book. Two girls Two girls werewere standing on the corner. standing on the corner. Much effort Much effort isis wasted. wasted.

Notional concord: agreement Notional concord: agreement in meaningin meaning

The verb can sometimes agree with the The verb can sometimes agree with the subject according to the notion of numbsubject according to the notion of number rather than to the actual presence of ter rather than to the actual presence of the grammatical marker of that notion. he grammatical marker of that notion.

e.g.e.g. Fifteen miles Fifteen miles seemsseems like a long walk to like a long walk to

me.me. The government The government havehave asked the countr asked the countr

y to decide by a vote.y to decide by a vote.

ProximityProximity The verb agree with a closely preceding The verb agree with a closely preceding

noun phrase in preference to with the henoun phrase in preference to with the head of the noun phrase that functions as sad of the noun phrase that functions as subject.ubject.

The verb should agree with the closer oThe verb should agree with the closer of the two subjects. f the two subjects.

e.g. Either you or I e.g. Either you or I amam responsible for the responsible for the mistake.mistake.

No one except his own supporters No one except his own supporters agragreeee with him. with him.

Brief summary of the three Brief summary of the three principlesprinciples

• The grammatical concord is the basic The grammatical concord is the basic principle, and generally applies to formal principle, and generally applies to formal English. The other two, on the other hand, English. The other two, on the other hand, play an auxiliary role in informal English.play an auxiliary role in informal English.

• Usually grammatical concord and Usually grammatical concord and notional concord coincide. Problems often notional concord coincide. Problems often arise when the grammatical concord arise when the grammatical concord comes into the conflict with the other two. comes into the conflict with the other two.

2. Problems of concord with 2. Problems of concord with collective nouns as subjectcollective nouns as subject

Collective nouns are singular in form bCollective nouns are singular in form but plural in meaning. ut plural in meaning.

The choice between grammatical and nThe choice between grammatical and notional concord is mostly governed by uotional concord is mostly governed by usage.sage.

2.1 Collective nouns used as plural2.1 Collective nouns used as plural

They include They include people, police, cattle, poupeople, police, cattle, poultry, vermin ltry, vermin etcetc..

e.g. e.g. The police The police areare searching for the murderer. searching for the murderer.Domestic cattle Domestic cattle provideprovide us with milk, beef us with milk, beef

and hides. and hides. Poultry Poultry areare less less expensive in rural areas.expensive in rural areas.

2.2 Collective nouns used as 2.2 Collective nouns used as SingularSingular

They include They include foliage, machinery, furnitfoliage, machinery, furniture, jewelry, merchandiseure, jewelry, merchandise, etc., etc.

e.g. e.g. All the machinery in that country All the machinery in that country isis made i made i

n China. n China. Jewelry is no longer a mark of wealth.Jewelry is no longer a mark of wealth.

2.3 Collective nouns used 2.3 Collective nouns used either as plural or as singulareither as plural or as singular

They include They include army, audience, family, army, audience, family, team, committee, classteam, committee, class, etc., etc.

The choice of the verb form depends on The choice of the verb form depends on the exact meaning of the noun in a the exact meaning of the noun in a specific context. specific context.

when the noun is used as a whole, the when the noun is used as a whole, the verb takes the singular form. If the noun is verb takes the singular form. If the noun is used as the individuals that make the used as the individuals that make the collective, the verb takes the plural form.collective, the verb takes the plural form.

e.g. e.g.

The audience The audience isis requested to remain requested to remain seated during the intermission.seated during the intermission.

The audience The audience areare listening to a listening to a Beethoven symphony.Beethoven symphony.

The class are busy taking notes.The class are busy taking notes.

The class is a modal one.The class is a modal one.

3. Problems of concord with 3. Problems of concord with nouns ending in -snouns ending in -s

The regular plural is formed by adding The regular plural is formed by adding –s or –es to the base.–s or –es to the base.

Quite a few nouns ending in –s are uncQuite a few nouns ending in –s are uncountable.ountable.

Some are treated as singular, some as Some are treated as singular, some as plural, and some either as singular or as plural, and some either as singular or as plural.plural.

3.1 Disease and game names 3.1 Disease and game names ending in –sending in –s They are mostly treated as singular.They are mostly treated as singular.

e.g.e.g.Mumps Mumps isis a kind of infectious disease. a kind of infectious disease.Generally, measles Generally, measles occursoccurs in children. in children.

3.2 Subject names ending in –ics 3.2 Subject names ending in –ics

They are generally singular nouns, but sThey are generally singular nouns, but some are treated as plural when used in otome are treated as plural when used in other senses.her senses.e.g.e.g.Mathematics Mathematics isis the study of numbers. the study of numbers.His mathematics His mathematics areare not good. not good.

3.3 Geographical names ending in –s 3.3 Geographical names ending in –s

They are usually used as plural except They are usually used as plural except a few country names..a few country names..e.g.e.g.The Himalayas The Himalayas havehave a magnificent a magnificent variety of plant and animal life.variety of plant and animal life.The West Indies The West Indies areare commonly divided commonly divided into two parts.into two parts.

* * The United States The United States isis a country of pe a country of people with varied origins.ople with varied origins.

The United Nations The United Nations waswas founded in founded in 1945.1945.

3.4 other nouns ending in –s3.4 other nouns ending in –s

Names for things made of two parts suNames for things made of two parts such as scissors, glasses, trousers, shorts, ch as scissors, glasses, trousers, shorts, etc. are used as plural. etc. are used as plural.

His trousers are torn. His trousers are torn. Nouns usually taking plural endings suNouns usually taking plural endings su

ch as arms, clothes, contents, goods, etc.ch as arms, clothes, contents, goods, etc. are used as plurals. are used as plurals.

High wages often result in high prices.High wages often result in high prices.

4. Problems of concord with a 4. Problems of concord with a coordinate subjectcoordinate subject

4.1 Coordination with “and” or “both… 4.1 Coordination with “and” or “both… and”and”

It is usually treated as plural when it It is usually treated as plural when it refers to two or more persons/things, but as refers to two or more persons/things, but as singular when it refers to only one person or singular when it refers to only one person or thing.thing.

e.g.e.g.

Peter and Bob Peter and Bob areare deadly rivals. deadly rivals.

Both John and his son Both John and his son havehave gone fishing. gone fishing.

*The poet and musician *The poet and musician visitsvisits our school t our school today.oday.

Ham and egg Ham and egg isis a good breakfast. a good breakfast. Every boy and every girl Every boy and every girl waswas asked to co asked to co

mplete the form.mplete the form.

4.2 coordination with “or”/ 4.2 coordination with “or”/ “either… or”, “nor”/ “neither… “either… or”, “nor”/ “neither… nor”, “not only… but alsonor”, “not only… but also”” It is generally dealt with according It is generally dealt with according to the principle of proximity.to the principle of proximity.e.g.e.g.Neither you nor your husband Neither you nor your husband is is responsible for the mistake. responsible for the mistake. Not only the students but also their Not only the students but also their teacher teacher hashas participated in the game. participated in the game.

4.3 subject + 4.3 subject + as well asas well as, , in in addition toaddition to, , together withtogether with, etc., etc.

Subjects linked by Subjects linked by as well asas well as, etc, normally , etc, normally

comply with the principle of the grammaticacomply with the principle of the grammatical concord.l concord.

e.g. The President, e.g. The President, as well asas well as his advisors, was his advisors, was aware of the risk of the mission.aware of the risk of the mission.

The head coach, The head coach, together withtogether with his team, w his team, was overjoyed when they won the NBA final.as overjoyed when they won the NBA final.

5. Expressions of quantity as 5. Expressions of quantity as subjectsubject

5.1 Definite quantity as subject5.1 Definite quantity as subject a. When it is regarded a single unit, the a. When it is regarded a single unit, the

verb takes a singular form.verb takes a singular form. Six months Six months isis too short a time. too short a time. A hundred dollars A hundred dollars is is a large sum of mona large sum of mon

ey to a university student. ey to a university student.

b. When it is used in the sense of the b. When it is used in the sense of the individuals, the verb takes the plural form.individuals, the verb takes the plural form.

e.g.e.g.The first two years The first two years werewere quite successful. quite successful.

There There areare six dollars in his pocket. six dollars in his pocket.

c. “a fraction/percentage + of-phrase” c. “a fraction/percentage + of-phrase” as subjectas subject

The verb form is determined by the nouThe verb form is determined by the noun in the of-phrase.n in the of-phrase.

e.g.e.g. Over 60% of the city Over 60% of the city waswas destroyed in t destroyed in t

he war.he war. Two-thirds of the students Two-thirds of the students areare willing t willing t

o take the test.o take the test.

d. “one in/out of + plural noun” as d. “one in/out of + plural noun” as subjectsubject

The verb takes the singular form in forThe verb takes the singular form in formal style, but plural in informal style.mal style, but plural in informal style.

e.g. e.g. One in ten students has / have failed thOne in ten students has / have failed th

e exam. e exam.

5.2 Indefinite quantity as subject5.2 Indefinite quantity as subject

a. “all of, some of, none of, half of + a. “all of, some of, none of, half of + noun” as subjectnoun” as subject

The verb is determined by the noun The verb is determined by the noun in of-phrase.in of-phrase.

e.g.e.g.

Some of the money Some of the money hashas been stolen. been stolen.

Half of the students Half of the students areare girls. girls.

b. “a portion of, a series of, a pile of, or b. “a portion of, a series of, a pile of, or this kind/sort/type of, + noun” as this kind/sort/type of, + noun” as subjectsubject

The verb invariably takes the singular The verb invariably takes the singular form. form.

e.g.e.g.

A substantial portion of the report A substantial portion of the report isis missing.missing.

A series of accidents A series of accidents hashas been reported. been reported.

c. “many a/more than one + noun” as c. “many a/more than one + noun” as subjectsubject

This kind of noun phrase, though This kind of noun phrase, though notionally plural, is treated as notionally plural, is treated as singular.singular.

e.g.e.g.

Many a man Many a man hashas done his duty. done his duty.

More than one student More than one student hashas failed the failed the exam. exam.

6.Other problems6.Other problems 6.1 Nominal clauses as subject6.1 Nominal clauses as subject Generally, a one-clause subject takes the Generally, a one-clause subject takes the

singular verb, and a two-clause subject, the singular verb, and a two-clause subject, the plural verb.plural verb.

e.g.e.g.What caused the accident was a complete What caused the accident was a complete

mystery.mystery.What he did and what he said are totally What he did and what he said are totally

different.different.*What she wanted from him were just *What she wanted from him were just

promises.promises.

6.2 Non-finite clauses as subject6.2 Non-finite clauses as subject The verb usually takes the singular The verb usually takes the singular form.form.e.g. e.g. Playing tennis Playing tennis isis a very good a very good exercise.exercise. To eat well To eat well isis all he asks. all he asks.

* * Singing and dancing Singing and dancing areare her her

favorite hobbies.favorite hobbies. To eat to live and to live to eat To eat to live and to live to eat constituteconstitute two different attitudes two different attitudes towards life.towards life.

6.3 Concord in existential 6.3 Concord in existential sentencesentence

The verb agrees with the notional The verb agrees with the notional subject.subject.

e.g.e.g.

There There is is a note left on the desk.a note left on the desk.

There There areare three routes you can take. three routes you can take.

*There *There isis a sofa and two chairs in the a sofa and two chairs in the room. (principle of proximity) room. (principle of proximity)

6.4 Concord in relative clauses6.4 Concord in relative clauses

a. In the construction of “one of + a. In the construction of “one of + plural noun + relative clause”, the plural noun + relative clause”, the principle of proximity is generally principle of proximity is generally preferred (especially in BE). preferred (especially in BE).

e.g. e.g. She is one of the girls who have She is one of the girls who have

trouble making up their minds. trouble making up their minds.

b. When one is premodified by the or the ob. When one is premodified by the or the only/very , the verb can only be singular.nly/very , the verb can only be singular.

e.g.e.g. She is the only one of her family who She is the only one of her family who hahass trouble making up her mind. trouble making up her mind.

Exercises :Exercises :1. The committee ( has, have) agreed to th1. The committee ( has, have) agreed to th

e proposal.e proposal.2. The suite of furniture he bought (was, w2. The suite of furniture he bought (was, w

ere) of contemporary design. ere) of contemporary design. 3. The statistics on traffic accidents in this 3. The statistics on traffic accidents in this

city (is, are) increasing city (is, are) increasing 4. The New York Times (is, are) published 4. The New York Times (is, are) published

daily.daily.. .

5. War and peace (is, are) a constant the5. War and peace (is, are) a constant theme in history.me in history.6. Thirty miles (seems, seem) a long w6. Thirty miles (seems, seem) a long walk to me.alk to me.7. Many a boy (was, were) disappointe7. Many a boy (was, were) disappointed after seeing the film.d after seeing the film.8. There (is, are) more than one answe8. There (is, are) more than one answer to the question.r to the question.

9. All of the fruit (looks, look) ripe.9. All of the fruit (looks, look) ripe.10. The greater part of the valley (was, 10. The greater part of the valley (was, were) flooded.were) flooded.11. What they want (is, are) some 11. What they want (is, are) some financial aids.financial aids.12. She is the only one of these 12. She is the only one of these women who never (cares, care) her women who never (cares, care) her look.look.

Assignment:Assignment:

1. Read page 28-52.1. Read page 28-52.

2. Do the exercises 2B and 3C.2. Do the exercises 2B and 3C.

Thank you!Thank you!