Understanding Concord in English Grammar
Concord, also known as agreement, is a fundamental rule in English grammar that governs the relationship between different parts of a sentence. It ensures that elements such as subjects and verbs, pronouns and antecedents, and modifiers and the words they modify agree in number, person, and gender. Concord is crucial for maintaining clarity and coherence in writing. Let's explore some key aspects of concord with examples to illustrate its application.
1. Subject-Verb Concord
In English, a singular subject requires a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb. This rule holds true for most verbs, except for certain irregular verbs. Here are some examples:
(A) Singular subject with singular verb:
The cat is sleeping.
The girl is singing.
Biliki is schooling.
Ada is my babe.
(B) Plural subject with plural verb:
The cats are sleeping.
The Super Eagles' boys are playing well.
Nife and Èjíré are frolicking.
(C) Singular subject with irregular verb: here are some examples of singular irregular verbs: has, was, does, Says, goes, lies, buys, tries, etc.
Ezekiel has a car.
She buys bread daily.
He tries his luck at any give opportunity.
(D) Plural subject with irregular verb: examples of such verbs are, have, were, do, say, lie, buy, etc.
They have cars.
The ships are troubled by storm.
The students were discussing.
2. Pronoun-Antecedent Concord
Pronouns must agree with their antecedents in number and gender. If the antecedent is singular, the pronoun must be singular. If the antecedent is plural, the pronoun must be plural. Consider these examples:
(A) Singular antecedent with singular pronoun:
The boy lost his book.
Shope found her bag.
Tiwa is a good singer, she sings well.
(B) Plural antecedent with plural pronoun:
The girls lost their books.
The students lost their brain.
Idris and Tola are running for their lives.
(C) Indefinite pronoun agreement:
Everyone must do their Assignment. (Note: This usage is common in informal contexts but can be considered incorrect in formal writing.)
The first male child will pay his dues.
The first male children will pay their dues.
3. Concord with Collective Nouns
Collective nouns refer to a group of individuals but are treated as singular entities. However, they can take a singular or plural verb depending on the context:
(A) Singular verb with collective noun:
The team is playing well.
The Nigeria Super Eagles is ranked 3rd in Africa.
(B) Plural verb with collective noun:
The team are divided in their opinions.
The Super Eagles' boys are doing well.
Nigerian politicians are saints.
4. Concord with Quantifiers and Indefinite Pronouns
Quantifiers (e.g., all, some, most, none) and indefinite pronouns (e.g., all, any, some, none) can be either singular or plural depending on the noun they refer to:
(A) Singular agreement:
All of the cake was eaten.
All of his body is covered in bruises.
(B) Plural agreement:
Some of the apples were rotten.
All of the cakes were eaten.
All of them are sensible.
5. Concord with Compound Subjects
When subjects are joined by "and," the verb is usually plural, unless the subjects refer to the same person or thing:
(A) Plural verb with compound subjects:
John and Mary are coming to the party.
Asake and Seyi Vibes are superb.
Ayo Success and Oduduwa are schools.
Chelsea and Man U are useless this season.
(B) Singular verb with compound subjects:
Fish and chips is his favorite meal.
Bread and Tea is food for the weaklings.
6. Concord with Modifiers
Adjectives, articles, and other modifiers must agree with the nouns they modify in number and sometimes gender:
(A) Singular noun with singular modifier:
A red car is parked outside.
(B) Plural noun with plural modifier:
Red cars are parked outside.
In conclusion, concord is a vital aspect of English grammar that ensures harmony and coherence in writing. By understanding and applying the rules of concord, writers can effectively communicate their ideas with clarity and precision.
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