JAMB English Note- Concord
Table of Contents
- Definition:
- Rules of Concord
- 1. Singular Subject with Singular Verb
- 2. Plural Subject with Plural Verb
- 3. Compound Subjects Joined by “And”
- 4. Compound Subjects Joined by “Or” or “Nor”
- 5. Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns
- 6. Agreement with Collective Nouns
- 7. Proximity Rule
- 8. Titles Take Singular Verbs
- 9. Uncountable Nouns Take Singular Verbs
- 10. Fractions and Percentages
- 11. Time, Money, or Distance
- 12. Inverted Sentences
- 13. Words Ending in “-s” But Singular
- 14. A Number of vs. The Number of
- 15. Relative Pronouns and Antecedents
- 16. Gerunds or Infinitives as Subjects
- 17. Pair Nouns
- 18. Singular Nouns with Plural Meaning
- 19. Plural Nouns with Singular Meaning
- 20. Special Cases (None, Each, etc.)
- CLASS WORK
Definition:
Concord, in grammar, refers to the agreement between the different parts of a sentence to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. The most common type of concord is the agreement between the subject and the verb in terms of number (singular or plural) and person. It also applies to pronouns and their antecedents, tenses, and other sentence elements.
Rules of Concord
1. Singular Subject with Singular Verb
A singular subject must take a singular verb.
- Example:
- She reads every day.
- The boy plays soccer well.
Exception: Collective nouns that imply individuals may take a plural verb.
- Example: The team are arguing among themselves.
2. Plural Subject with Plural Verb
A plural subject must take a plural verb.
- Example:
- The boys run fast.
- Birds fly in the sky.
3. Compound Subjects Joined by “And”
Subjects connected by “and” usually take a plural verb.
- Example:
- John and Mary are coming to the party.
- Bread and butter makes a good breakfast.
Exception: When the compound subject refers to a single entity or idea.
- Example: Fish and chips is delicious.
4. Compound Subjects Joined by “Or” or “Nor”
The verb agrees with the subject closest to it (proximity rule).
- Example:
- Neither the boy nor his friends are coming.
- Either the teachers or the principal is attending.
5. Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns
Some indefinite pronouns are singular, others are plural, and some depend on context.
- Singular: Everyone, each, nobody
- Example: Everyone loves chocolate.
- Plural: Many, few, several
- Example: Many enjoy the festival.
- Depends: All, none, some
- Example: Some of the food is spoilt. Some of the apples are ripe.
6. Agreement with Collective Nouns
Collective nouns can take singular or plural verbs based on context.
- Example:
- The committee is in session. (as a unit)
- The committee are arguing. (individuals)
7. Proximity Rule
When subjects are connected by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the closest subject.
- Example:
- Neither the teacher nor the students are present.
- Either the books or the pen is missing.
8. Titles Take Singular Verbs
The title of a book, movie, or organization takes a singular verb.
- Example:
- “Harry Potter” is an amazing book series.
- The United Nations was established in 1945.
9. Uncountable Nouns Take Singular Verbs
Uncountable nouns, such as water, sugar, or information, take singular verbs.
- Example:
- The information is accurate.
- Sugar dissolves in water.
10. Fractions and Percentages
The verb depends on the noun after the fraction or percentage.
- Example:
- Half of the cake is gone.
- Fifty percent of the students are present.
11. Time, Money, or Distance
When time, money, or distance is considered as a whole, use a singular verb.
- Example:
- Ten dollars is enough.
- Five kilometers is a long walk.
12. Inverted Sentences
The verb agrees with the actual subject, even in inverted sentences.
- Example:
- Where is your pen?
- There are two options.
13. Words Ending in “-s” But Singular
Some nouns that end in “-s” are singular in meaning and take singular verbs.
- Example:
- Mathematics is difficult.
- News is spreading fast.
14. A Number of vs. The Number of
- A number of takes a plural verb.
- Example: A number of students are absent.
- The number of takes a singular verb.
- Example: The number of students is increasing.
15. Relative Pronouns and Antecedents
Relative pronouns like “who,” “which,” and “that” agree with the antecedent.
- Example:
- The boy who plays soccer is here.
- The girls who study hard succeed.
16. Gerunds or Infinitives as Subjects
When gerunds or infinitives are used as subjects, they take singular verbs.
- Example:
- Swimming is fun.
- To err is human.
17. Pair Nouns
Nouns like scissors, trousers, and spectacles take plural verbs.
- Example:
- These trousers are new.
- The scissors are on the table.
18. Singular Nouns with Plural Meaning
Nouns like “politics” or “economics” are singular in meaning and take singular verbs.
- Example:
- Politics is interesting.
- Economics is complex.
19. Plural Nouns with Singular Meaning
Nouns like “data” and “media” can take either singular or plural verbs, depending on usage.
- Example:
- The data is accurate.
- The data are being analyzed.
20. Special Cases (None, Each, etc.)
Words like “none” or “each” usually take singular verbs, but context matters.
- Example:
- None of the students is ready.
- None of them are participating.
CLASS WORK
Choose the correct verb form that agrees with the subject in number and person.
1. The committee, which has been working tirelessly for weeks, ___ the results of the election tomorrow.
(a) will announce
(b) announces
(c) announcing
(d) announce
2. Neither the teacher nor the students ___ aware of the changes in the timetable.
(a) is
(b) are
(c) was
(d) be
3. The collection of antique furniture that I inherited from my grandmother ___ a priceless treasure.
(a) is
(b) are
(c) were
(d) was
4. Each of the students, along with their teachers, ___ responsible for maintaining discipline during the trip.
(a) are
(b) is
(c) were
(d) has
5. The number of students attending the seminar ___ exceeded expectations.
(a) have
(b) has
(c) are
(d) is
6. The captain of the team, along with his assistant, ___ a meeting for all players tomorrow.
(a) is
(b) are
(c) was
(d) be
7. The group of musicians, whose performance has been widely praised, ___ performing at the concert tonight.
(a) is
(b) are
(c) were
(d) be
8. None of the students in the class ___ failed to complete the assignment.
(a) has
(b) have
(c) were
(d) is
9. Both the teacher and the students ___ agreed on the new learning strategies.
(a) is
(b) are
(c) was
(d) were
10. There ___ a significant improvement in the company’s performance over the last quarter.
(a) is
(b) are
(c) was
(d) were
11. The decision of the board, along with the recommendations from the committee, ___ to be reviewed before implementation.
(a) have
(b) has
(c) is
(d) were
12. The team, consisting of both local and international experts, ___ the project together for several months.
(a) has been working
(b) have been working
(c) works
(d) were working
13. The series of lectures, which includes both theoretical and practical lessons, ___ expected to begin next week.
(a) is
(b) are
(c) was
(d) were
14. Neither the manager nor the employees ___ aware of the new policy update.
(a) is
(b) are
(c) was
(d) have
15. The fleet of vehicles, which includes trucks and vans, ___ scheduled for maintenance next week.
(a) are
(b) is
(c) were
(d) was
16. A large number of people, including both men and women, ___ attending the seminar on climate change.
(a) is
(b) are
(c) were
(d) was
17. The news about the merger ___ been received positively by the shareholders.
(a) has
(b) have
(c) were
(d) is
18. Neither the students nor the teacher ___ able to explain the mysterious disappearance of the document.
(a) is
(b) are
(c) were
(d) was
19. The president, along with his advisors, ___ delivering a speech at the conference today.
(a) is
(b) are
(c) was
(d) have
20. The books on the shelf, as well as the magazines, ___ covered in dust.
(a) is
(b) are
(c) was
(d) were
