Concord

The basics

Subject-verb concord is when the subject of a sentence and the verb of a sentence agree. Simply, if the
subject of the sentence is singular, the verb must be singular. If the subject of a sentence is plural, the
verb must be plural.:

1. The pages (subject) is (verb) held together by a staple. (Wrong)

2. The pages (subject) are (verb) held together by a staple. (Right)

Number 2 is correct, because the subject, pages, and the verb, are, are both plural. They agree.

Its easy, yes? Lets gear up and try something more difficult.

A phrase in between the subject and the verb

3. The message between the lines is that we need to finish before Monday. (Right)
4. The message between the lines are that we need to finish before Monday. (Wrong)

The temptation here is to look at the word in front of the verb (the plural lines) and choose the verb
that agrees with it (the plural are). This is wrong. The subject of the sentence is not lines. Its
message. So, because the subject, message, is singular, we use the singular verb is. The phrase
between the lines is a prepositional phrase (starting with a preposition), which is why its not the
subject of the sentence.

5. The case of champagne bottles are for the year-end party.

6. The case of champagne bottles is for the year-end party.

The correct answer is number 6. Case is singular, so use the singular verb is.

7. The sentiment in our offices is that our bonuses were measly this year.
8. The sentiment in our offices are that our bonuses were measly this year.

The correct answer is number 7. Sentiment is singular, and the singular verb is agrees with it.

Two subjects connected by either/or, or neither/nor

If you have two singular subjects that are connected by either/or, or neither/nor, use the singular verb.
Look at this:

9. Neither Sam nor Ted has the keys to the stationery cupboard.
10. Either Mary or Sheelu is manning the info desk at the conference.

Even though youre discussing two people, only one of them (singular) is taking action, so the verb is
singular.

What do you do when one of the subjects is plural and the other isnt? Look at these examples:

11. Neither Tanya (singular) nor the personal assistants (plural) have the keys to the stationery
cupboard.
12. Either the stewards (plural) or Mary (singular) is manning the info desk at the conference.
Do you see how the verb agrees with the subject closest to it? However, the second sentence sounds
awkward, so rather write sentences like this with the second subject being plural, and then make the
verb plural. Sentence number 12 should rather be rewritten as:

13. Either Mary or the stewards are manning the info desk at the conference.

Two subjects connected by and

When you have two subjects connected by and, use the plural form of the verb.

14. George and Larry are responsible for the exchange server.
15. Lizabeth and Rohit are our new project managers.

There are two exceptions to the rule. The first (see number 13) is when a compound subject connected
with and is seen as a singular subject due to popular use. The second is when the subjects connected
by and are the same person or entity (see number 14).

16. Bread and milk is my favourite meal.

17. The creator and distributor of the software is Energesix Ltd.

Plural subjects that call for singular verbs

Use a singular verb when you have a subject that conveys a single unit of distance, time, or money.

18. Ninety-five cents is a great bargain for a SIM card.

19. One hundred kilometres is a gruelling daily commute.
20. Twenty minutes is all I have to prepare for the meeting.

Other subjects that call for singular verbs

The following words need singular verbs: each, everyone, everybody, anyone, anybody, somebody,
nobody, someone, none, and no-one. Look at these examples:

21. Each of our staff members has to fill in an evaluation form.

22. Anyone who wants a day off in lieu of overtime must still fill out a leave form.
23. Someone has left a coffee cup on the glass of the photocopy machine.
24. None of us wants to admit to being behind on filing.

Subjects that are collective nouns

Look at these examples:

25. The board wants to make the decision by next Thursday.

26. The staff is in a meeting.
27. The team is due to fly out today.

The board, staff, and team are made up of many individual members, but each forms a collective,
singular subject. Thus, a singular verb is used. Be careful not to make this mistake, though:

28. The staff is in a meeting to discuss their appraisals.

Now, you have a singular subject (staff), a singular verb (is), and a plural pronoun (their) in the same
sentence. Rather rewrite the sentence in one of the following ways:
29. The staff is in a meeting to discuss appraisals.
30. The staff members are in a meeting to discuss their appraisals.

Exercises

Exercise 1

1. Annie and her brothers (is, are) at school.

2. Either my mother or my father (is, are) coming to the meeting.
3. The dog or the cats (is, are) outside.
4. Either my shoes or your coat (is, are) always on the floor.
5. George and Tamara (doesn't, don't) want to see that movie.
6. Benito (doesn't, don't) know the answer.
7. One of my sisters (is, are) going on a trip to France.
8. The man with all the birds (live, lives) on my street.
9. The movie, including all the previews, (take, takes) about two hours to watch.
10. The players, as well as the captain, (want, wants) to win.
11. Either answer (is, are) acceptable.
12. Every one of those books (is, are) fiction.
13. Nobody (know, knows) the trouble I've seen.
14. (Is, Are) the news on at five or six?
15. Mathematics (is, are) Johns favorite subject, while Civics (is, are) Andreas.
16. His mathematics (is, are) wrong.
17. Eight dollars (is, are) the price of a movie these days.
18. (Is, Are) the tweezers in this drawer?
19. Your pants (is, are) at the cleaner's.
20. The committee (debates, debate) these questions carefully.
21. The committee (leads, lead) very different lives in private.
22. The Prime Minister, together with his wife, (greets, greet) the press cordially.
23. All of the CDs, even the scratched one, (is, are) in this case.
24. There (was, were) fifteen candies in that bag. Now there (is, are) only one left!

Exercise 2:

1. One of my friends __________ gone to France. (has / have)

2. Each of the boys __________ given a present. (was / were)
3. Neither of the contestants __________ able to win a decisive victory. (was / were)
4. Oil and water __________ not mix. (do / does)
5. He and I __________ at Oxford together. ( was / were)
6. Slow and steady __________ the race. (win / wins)
7. Neither Peter nor James __________ any right to the property. (has / have)
8. No prize or medal __________ given to the boy, though he stood first in the examination. (was /
were)
9. Either Mary or Alice __________ responsible for this. (is / are)
10. Neither the Minister nor his colleagues _____ given any explanation for this. (have / has)
11. Some members of the teachers union (want, wants) to go on strike
12. Janes raincoat, with all the rips and tears, (provide, provides) little protection.
13. There __________ (is, are) a lot of trees on our block.
14. Where __________ (is, are) my keys?
15. In the background __________ (was, were) a big yellow sun.
16. A small black cat and a large yellow dog __________ (sit, sits) on the front stairs.
17. The boss and her secretary __________ (eat, eats) lunch at the same time.
18. For a delicious salad, fresh ingredients and a large bowl __________ (is, are) essential.
19. Comfortable shoes and loose-fitting clothing __________ (was, were) recommended by the
instructor.
20. Not only the students but also the teacher __________ (was, were) anxious to finish the lesson.
21. Neither of those hats __________ (suit, suits) your face.
22. Somebody in the book club always __________ (forget, forgets) to bring the book.
23. Something in that curry __________ (make, makes) me sneeze.
24. One of those socks __________ (is, are) lighter than the other.
25. Everyone __________ (like, likes) Marys key lime pie.