Concord in English grammar, also called agreement, is the harmony between parts of a sentence. It ensures that subjects and verbs, pronouns and antecedents, and sometimes nouns and adjectives match in number, person, and gender. Concord is essential because a sentence that violates concord becomes grammatically incorrect, confusing, or ambiguous.

-Incorrect: The teacher go to school every day.

-Correct: The teacher goes to school every day.

Here, the singular subject “teacher” requires the singular form of the verb “goes.”

This guide will explain meaning, functions, rules, and provide examples with explanations to make concord easy to understand and apply.

Concord refers to the agreement between different parts of a sentence:

a. Subject-verb agreement: The verb must match the subject in number and person.

b. Pronoun-antecedent agreement: A pronoun must match the noun it replaces in number and gender.

c. Noun-adjective agreement: Adjectives sometimes agree with nouns in number.

Examples:

1. The cat sleeps on the mat.

Explanation: The singular subject “cat” agrees with the singular verb “sleeps.”

2. The cats sleep on the mat.

Explanation: The plural subject “cats” requires the plural verb “sleep.”

3. The girl lost her book.

Explanation: The singular feminine noun “girl” matches the pronoun “her.”

4. These apples are sweet.

Explanation: The plural demonstrative “these” agrees with the plural noun “apples.”

1. Maintains grammatical accuracy: Prevents mismatch between subjects and verbs.

2. Enhances clarity: Proper agreement ensures the meaning is clear.

3. Indicates number and person: Shows whether the subject is singular, plural, first, second, or third person.

4. Supports pronoun reference: Ensures pronouns match their antecedents in number and gender.

5. Reflects tense and style: Concord ensures the correct verb form is used for singular or plural subjects in different tenses.

1. Singular and Plural Subjects

Rule: Singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs.

Examples:

1. The boy runs every morning.

Explanation: Singular subject “boy” agrees with singular verb “runs.”

2. The boys run every morning.

Explanation: Plural subject “boys” requires plural verb “run.”

3. My friend loves chocolate.

Explanation: Singular subject “friend” takes singular verb “loves.”

4. My friends love chocolate.

Explanation: Plural subject “friends” requires plural verb “love.”

2. First, Second, and Third Person Agreement

Rule: The verb must agree with the subject in person.

Examples:

1. I am going to the market.

Explanation: First person singular “I” uses the verb “am.”

2. You are very kind.

Explanation: Second person “you” always takes the plural form “are,” even for one person.

3. He plays football every day.

Explanation: Third person singular “he” requires the verb “plays.”

4. They play football every day.

Explanation: Third person plural “they” takes the plural verb “play.”

Rule: Collective nouns can take singular or plural verbs depending on whether the group acts as a single unit or as individual members.

Examples:

1. The team is winning the match.

Explanation: The team acts as a single unit, so the singular verb “is” is used.

2. The team are arguing among themselves.

Explanation: The team members act individually, so the plural verb “are” is used.

3. The jury has reached a verdict.

Explanation: The jury acts as a single entity, so the singular verb “has” is correct.

4. The jury are divided in opinion.

Explanation: The members of the jury have different opinions, so the plural verb “are” is correct.

4. Indefinite Pronouns

Rule: Singular indefinite pronouns (everyone, somebody, anyone, nobody, each) take singular verbs; plural ones (few, several, many, both) take plural verbs.

Examples:

1. Everyone is excited about the trip.

Explanation: “Everyone” is singular, so singular verb “is” is used.

2. Each of the students has a notebook.

Explanation: “Each” is singular, so singular verb “has” is correct.

3. Somebody has left their bag.

Explanation: Singular pronoun “somebody” takes singular verb “has.”

4. Many were called to the event.

Explanation: Plural pronoun “many” takes plural verb “were.”

5. Subjects Joined by ‘and’

Rule: Subjects joined by and usually take a plural verb unless they refer to the same person or single idea.

Examples:

1. John and Mary are coming to the party.

Explanation: Two separate subjects take the plural verb “are.”

2. Bread and butter is my favorite breakfast.

Explanation: Single idea takes singular verb “is.”

3. The cat and the dog are playing in the yard.

Explanation: Two animals require plural verb “are.”

4. Peanut butter and jelly is delicious.

Explanation: Combined idea treated as singular, so singular verb “is.”

6. Subjects Joined by ‘or’ / ‘nor’

Rule: When subjects are joined by or or nor, the verb agrees with the nearest subject.

Examples:

1. Neither the teacher nor the students are present.

Explanation: Plural subject “students” is nearest; verb is plural “are.”

2. Neither the students nor the teacher is present.

Explanation: Singular subject “teacher” is nearest; verb is singular “is.”

3. Either the manager or his assistants are available.

Explanation: Plural subject “assistants” is nearest; verb is plural “are.”

4. Either the assistants or the manager is available.

Explanation: Singular subject “manager” is nearest; verb is singular “is.”

7. Titles, Names, and Words as Subjects

Rule: Titles of books, movies, and subjects that are singular in meaning take singular verbs.

Examples:

1. Mathematics is a challenging subject.

Explanation: Singular subject “Mathematics” takes singular verb “is.”

2. Physics is not easy for many students.

Explanation: Singular subject “Physics” takes singular verb “is.”

3. The Lord of the Rings is very popular.

Explanation: Title of the book treated as a single entity; verb “is.”

4. Economics is difficult for some learners.

Explanation: Singular subject “Economics” takes singular verb “is.”

8. Pronoun Concord

Rule: Pronouns must agree with their antecedents in number and gender.

Examples:

1. The boy lost his book.

Explanation: Singular masculine noun “boy” agrees with singular masculine pronoun “his.”

2. The girl loves her cat.

Explanation: Singular feminine noun “girl” agrees with pronoun “her.”

3. The students submitted their assignments.

Explanation: Plural noun “students” agrees with plural pronoun “their.”

4. Every student must bring his or her notebook.

Explanation: Singular antecedent “every student” requires singular pronoun “his or her.”

9. Inverted Sentences

Rule: When the subject follows the verb, concord still applies.

Examples:

1. Are the children ready?

Explanation: Verb “are” agrees with plural subject “children.”

2. Is the manager available?

Explanation: Verb “is” agrees with singular subject “manager.”

3. Have the students completed the test?

Explanation: Verb “have” agrees with plural subject “students.”

4. Does the cat sleep on the bed?

Explanation: Singular subject “cat” requires singular verb “does.”

10. Expletive ‘There’ and ‘Here’

Rule: The verb agrees with the real subject, not with “there” or “here.”

Examples:

1.There is a book on the table.

Explanation: Singular noun “book” requires singular verb “is.”

2. There are many books on the table.

Explanation: Plural noun “books” requires plural verb “are.”

3. Here is the report you requested.

Explanation: Singular noun “report” requires singular verb “is.”

4. Here are the students waiting for you.

Explanation: Plural noun “students” requires plural verb “are.”