8.Concord-RULES OF ENGLISH GRAMMAR AND USAGE.pdf

246 / Rules of English Grammar and Usage

Chapter 8

Concord (SYNTAX OR SUBJECT AND VERB AGREEMENT) Introduction Concord means a harmonious relationship between two grammatical items. Of all the types of concord the most important is the concord of number and person between the subject and the verb. In English the concord system is simple, a verb is not affected by the gender system at all because it has the same form for both masculine and feminine subjects. Further, subject-verb-concord in English is restricted to simple present tense. In English there is nothing like object-verb-concord.

Grammatical Concord A singular subject takes a singular verb. A plural subject takes a plural verb. In short, a verb is in the same number as its subject. It is called grammatical concord. For example,

K KUNDAN The The The The

teacher writ es on the blackboard. (Sing ular) chil d plays on the lawn s. (Sin gular ) teacher s write on the blackboard. (Plural) child ren play on the lawn s. (Plur al)

Number System of Nouns and Verbs The number system of nouns is the opposite of the number system of verbs: ( i ) an ‘s ’ is a plural maker for a noun. ( ii ) an ‘s ’ is a singular maker for a verb. (in the simple present tense) Nou ns V er b s S i n g ul a r P l u r a l Pl u ra l S i n g ul a r book bo oks w rite w r it e s boy bo ys go/do g o e s / do e s t hi e f t h ie v e s ru n ru ns c at c h ca t ch e s cat ch ca t ch e s fl y f lie s fl y f lie s

Concord of Person (i )

First First perso person n (sing (singula ular/p r/plur lural) al) takes takes a plural plural verb. verb. I/we like this book.

Concord (Syntax or subject and verb Agreement) / 247 ( ii )

Second person (singular/plural) takes a plural verb. You/you all like this book.

( ii i ) Third person (plural) takes a plural verb. They like thi s book.

( iv ) Third person (singular) takes a singular verb. He/she likes this book.

In short, the singular form of a verb is only for the third person singular and the plural form for the rest.

Exception of Grammatical Concord (i) Concord of number/person in past/future tense The past forms of verbs (except verb be) are invariable. There is no visible concord of number/person between the subject and the verb. For example, You/They/I/We went home after the party. He/she went home after the party. (verb ‘to go’)

But: You/they/we were watching a match on TV yesterday. He/she/I was watching a match on TV yesterday. (verb ‘to be’)

K KUNDAN (ii ) Modal auxiliaries

Modal auxiliaries don’t show number and person concord because their forms are invariable in all tenses. For example, I/we/you/they/he/she can do this sum. I/we/you/they/he/she will go home tomorrow.

(iii ) Marginal auxiliaries/ semi-modal auxiliaries

Need and Dare in the negative form, and used to don’t have number and person concord. For example, He/they need not work hard. He/they dare not oppose me. I/we/he/she used to play tennis.

Note: But need and dare in the affirmative do have number and person concord. For example, I/we need to work hard. He needs to work hard.

(iv) Adverb clause of improbable condition A singular subject takes a plural verb ‘were’ in a clause expressing an improbable condition. For example, If I were you I wouldn’t do it. If Raju were a millionaire, he would donate a hefty sum to the hospital.

248 / Rules of English Grammar and Usage (v) Adverb clause of manner (as if/as though ) A singular subject usually takes a plural verb ‘were’ in a clause expressing manner (as if /as though +clause ) For example, She memorises all her lessons as if she were a computer. He commands me as if he were my boss.

(vi) Unfulfilled wish in present /future. A singular subject takes a plural verb ‘were’ in a clause expressing an unfulfilled wish. For example, I wish I were a millionaire. Were I a king I would live a life of ease.

Concord System in Different Constructions Rule 1 When two subjects are joined by ‘ and’, the verb is plural. For example, My friend and his father are in India. You and I are working. Are not your sister and brother ill? Wealth and happiness are all Mohan wants. Table and chair were both very costly. Rice and wheat, purchased a week before, were both rotten.

K KUNDAN Rule 2

When singular subjects represent one collective idea, a singular verb is used. They are called ‘ parcel subject’. For example, Rice and curry is his favourite dish. Truth and honesty is the best policy. Slow and steady wins the race. Bread and butter is our daily need. Whisky and soda was his only food. This is the long and the short of the matter.

But a parcel subject takes a plural verb when the complement is plural. For example, Food and shelter are the bare necessities of life.

(Here, the bold word ‘necessities’ is complement.)

Rule 3 When two singular nouns joined by ‘ and’ refer to the same person or thing, the verb is singular. For example, The secretary and treasurer has been arrested. The District Magistr ate and Collector is on leave today.

Notes: (i) Article ‘ the’ is used only once when the two nouns refer to the same person or thing.

Concord (Syntax or subject and verb Agreement) / 249

(ii) If the two nouns refer to different persons or things, article ‘the’ is used before each noun. In such cases, the verb will be in the plural form. For example, The secretary and the president have been given warm welcome. The Vice-President of India and the Chancellor of this university have agreed to this proposal.

The bold occurrence of ‘the’ in both of the above mentioned se ntences shows that the statement is about two different persons.

Rule 4 The principle of grammati cal concord states that the subject must agree with the verb. When the subject is a complex noun phrase, it is the number of the head-noun of the noun phrase that determines the form of the verb. For example, The teachers of this school know me. (teachers) The mangoes on the tree are ripe. (mangoes) The milk in the bottles is fresh. (milk) The price of essential articles in all the states has shot up. (price) The rays of the sun at noon in all parts of India are very bright. (rays) The sound of the bells was heard by everyone. (sound) One of the books is missing. (one) The water of those streams was sweet. (water) The trouble with all those cars was slow speed. (trouble)

K KUNDAN

Note: Care must be taken in determining the he ad-word of the subject. Asking who/what to the verb will usually help identify the head of the subject phrase.

Rule 5 When two singular subjects are practically synonymous the verb should be in the singular form. For example, The law and order situation in the state is under control. His power and influence is on the decline. Power and position has no charm for my friend. Peace and prosperity is the need of the day.

Rule 6 If connectives like ‘with’, ‘together with’, ‘along with’, ‘in addition to’, ‘except’, ‘besides’, ‘and not’, ‘no less than’, ‘like’ etc are used to combine two subjects the verb agrees with the subject mentioned first. For example, The president of India together with his personal secretaries is invited to this function. The actress along with her manager and some friends is attending the function. Mr Sanoj accompnied by his wife and children is arriving to night by train.

250 / Rules of English Grammar and Usage The ship , with all its passengers, was drowned. A watch, in addition to rupees fifty, was given to Ritesh. No one except a few students was there. Milk, besides vegetables, is good for health. Satish and not you has passed. He, no less than his friends, is guilty. She, like her parents, is a miser.

Rule 7 When two subjects are joined by ‘ as well as’ , the verb agrees in number and person with first one, for example, He as well as I is fond of fish. My comrades as well as I are visiting Delhi. You as well as he are innocent.

This connective behaves like separator because it is placed between two nouns/pronouns to separate them. Therefore, a noun/pronoun placed after ‘as well as’ does not affect the verb.

Rule 8 When two or more nouns or pronouns in the singular are connected by ‘or’, ‘nor’, ‘either.....or’, ‘neither...nor’ they take a singular verb. For example, Neither Rupa nor her sister is to blame. Either the dog or the cat has been killed.

K KUNDAN Rule 9

When one of the subjects joined by ‘or’, ‘nor’, ‘either... .or’, ‘neither....n or’ is plural, the verb must be plural, and the plural subject should be placed close to the verb. For example, Either the farmer or his sons reap harvest. Neither Satish nor his sisters are honest. He or his friends have stolen my watch.

Rule 10 When the subjects joined by ‘or’, ‘nor’ ‘either.. ..or’, ‘neither... .nor’ are of different persons the verb agrees with the nearer subject. For example , Either he or you are guilty. Neither you nor I am to blame. Neither you nor he is willing to come. Neither he nor they are honest.

Rule 11 When the subjects joined by ‘or’, ‘nor’, ‘either....or’, ‘neither....nor’ are plural, the verb must be plural. For example, Neither men nor women like this film. Either teachers or parents are to blame.


Rule 12 In sentences mentioned in Rule 9, the plural subject is placed nearest to the verb. But in a question, a singular subject is placed nearest to the verb. (This is a result of subject-auxiliary inversion in question). For example, Has he or his friends stolen my watch?

Rule 13 If two singular subjects (combined by ‘and’ ) are preceded by ‘each’ or ‘every’ , the verb should by in the singular. For example, Every boy and every girl was given sweets. Each son and each daughter of Ramesh was educated. Every day and every night brings its own pleasure. Every man and every woman has the right to express his or her view.

Rule 14 Nouns qualified by ‘each’ and ‘every’ take singular verb. For example, Every man and woman on this earth has to die one day. Each soldier and sailor is to march.

It is assumed in the above sentences that every before woman and each before sailor are understood.

K KUNDAN Rule 15

When subjects are joined by ‘not only.....but also’ , the verb agrees with the last, that is, with the subject nearst to it. For example, Not only Rajesh but also his sisters were arrested. Not only her books but also her watch was stolen.

Note: In this construction the plural subject is usually placed last. Look at the sentence given below: Not only her purse but also her rings are missing.

Rule 16 ‘None’ can take either a singular or a plural verb depending on the noun which follows it. Structure I: None + of the + uncountable noun + singular verb For example, None of the counterfeit money has been found.

Structure II: None + of the + plural countable noun + plural verb For example, None of the students have finished the exam yet.


Rule 17 ‘No’ can take either a singular or a plural verb depending on the noun which follows it. Structure I : No+singular noun + singular verb + uncountable noun For example, No example is relevant to this case.

Structure II : No + plural noun + plural verb For example, No examples are relevant to this case.

Rule 18 Distributive pronouns ( each /either /neither etc ) are always singular whether or not they are followed by of + plural nou n , so they go with singular verbs. For example, Neither of the two experiments was relevant to the topic of research. (not, were) Each of these procedures has its own advantages. (not, have) Either of them has to demonstrate how this appratus works. (not, have) Each one of you has to suffer for it. (not, have) There are two girls here. Neither is tall. (not, are)

K KUNDAN Rule 19

If ‘each’ comes after a plural headword ( ie, plural subect+each ) the verb agrees with the plural headword. For example, We each want to be happy. (not, wants) They each are facing problems. (not, is)

In the above construction a plural subject takes a plural verb because ‘each’ is used only in apposition to a plural noun. It can’t make a plural subject singular.

Rule 20 Singular indefinite pronouns go with singular verbs, plural indefinite pronouns go with plural verbs and in the construction Indefinite pronoun+of + plural nou n/prono un , a singular indefinite pronoun goes with a singular verb. For example, Many a flower is born to blush unseen. Everybody wants food. Many an egg is rotten. One has to take care of one’s health. No one has reached yet. Everyone who saw his dead body was moved. Every new born day is teeming with slipped chances. Anybody with a will to work is welcome.

Concord (Syntax or subject and verb Agreement) / 253 Nobody is willing to help me. Many were injured. Only a few were selected. Everyone of them is tall.

Rule 21 In the construction not one /no one of + plural noun / pronou n the verb is always singular because not one /no one is indisputably singular. For example, Not one/no one of the pupils has answered this question correctly. (not, have)

Note: When a writer wants to stress the singularity of a concept, he generally uses ‘no one’ or ‘not one of’ in place of ‘none of’.

Rule 22 When ‘all’ means ‘ everything’ it takes a singular verb but when it refers to a plural noun, it takes a plural verb. For example, All is not lost yet. (not, are) There are ten girls here. All are tall. (not, is)

Rule 23

K KUNDAN

When ‘some /any’ refers to a singular uncountable noun it takes a singular verb and when it ( some /any ) refers to a plural noun it takes a plural verb. For example, Some of the food has been wasted. Some of the ink has spilt on the table. Some of the boys are dull. Are there any girls in your class? Is there any hope now?

Rule 24 A few nouns always go in pairs, so they are called ‘ inseparables’: scissors , shears , trousers , pliers . Since they are undoubtedly plural they take a plural verb. However, when preceded by ‘ a pair of ’, they take a singular verb. For example, Trousers are very comfortable in cold countries. A pair of trousers is required for my cousin.

Rule 25 In the construction more than one + singular noun , noun takes a singular noun and a singular verb. For example, More than one man was killed in the accident. More than one scholar has been honoured this year. (not, More than one girls are absent.)


Rule 26 In the construction more + plural noun + than one , more takes a plural noun, so a plural verb is required. For example, More proposals than one have been forwarded. (not, has been)

Rule 27 Numerals joined by and / plus denote a single arithmetic unit, so they take a singular verb. For example, Two and two makes/is four. Two plus two is four.

In sentences like these a plural verb is rarely used in current English. Note: But numerals that are treated as mere numerals, not as an arithmetical expression do take a plural verb when they are joined by ‘ and’. It is equivalent to noun + and + noun . For example, Three and thirteen are believed to be unlucky numbers.

Rule 28 The subject of a sentence in the construction ( nothing but + noun ) is ‘nothing’ and not the noun placed after ‘but’ , so it always takes a singular verb whether the latter noun is singular or plural. For example,

K KUNDAN

There is nothing but sand in a desert. Nothing but unfulfilled promises is what this administration has given us.

Rule 29 ‘ A number of ’ or ‘ a large number of ’ is followed by a plural noun, for example, ‘people’, ‘men’, ‘teachers’, and it is these plural nouns with which the verb must agree not with the grammatical head of the subject, that is, not with the word ‘ number ’. For example, A large number of people have applied for the job. A number of slum dwellers in Delhi have fallen victim to dangue.

Notice that in the above mentioned sentences, it is possible to use the single word ‘many’ in place of the phrases ‘a large number of’ or ‘a number of’ . And the word ‘many’ is always plural. Hence the plural verb ‘have’. The opposite of this can be seen in the following sentence: The number of homeless people has gone up.

Here two points should be noted: ( i) we are using the phrase ‘ the number of ’ not ‘a num ber of’ or ‘a large num ber of’ ; and (ii) our concern now is more with ‘number’ than with the noun ‘people’. Hence, the singular verb ‘ has ’.


Rule 30 The subject of a sentence may begin with any one of the following phrases: ‘A good deal of’, ‘A great deal of’, ‘A lot of’, ‘Most of’ and ‘some of’ . In such a situation the verb agrees with the object of the preposition ‘of’. For example, A lot of people were present in the gallery. A lot of work has to be completed before we go. A good deal of time has been lost. A good deal of efforts are needed. Some of the music was boring. Some of the children were hungry.

Rule 31 If the subject of a sentence begins with a fraction, the verb agrees with the noun or pronoun that comes after the prepositon ‘of’. For example, Two-thirds of the book is interesting. Two-thirds of the books are interesting. A quarter of it is fresh. A quarter of them are stale. Half of it is useful. Half of them are rotten.

K KUNDAN

The same principle applies with the phrases: ‘The rest of’ , ‘Majority of’ , ‘Heaps of’ , ‘Most of’ , ‘Plenty of’ , and ‘Lots of’ . For example, Lots of medicine has been prepared. Lots of soldiers have come. The rest of the novel is interesting. The rest of the novels are interesting. Plenty of milk is required in summer. Plenty of eggs are required next week.

Rule 32 In the construction, This /This +kind of /sort of /type of +noun, kind of/ sort of/type of is treated as a single unit. For example, This/that kind of food is harmful. (food) This/that type of climate does not agree with me. (climate) This/that sort of behaviour is in bad taste. (behaviour) These/those kinds of people are unreliable. (people)

Note: These/those+kind of/sort of/type of+noun In this construction, too, the verb agrees with the noun placed after ‘of’ , not with the singular noun before it. For example, These kind of frien ds are not faithful. Those sort of medicines are harmful.

However, this construction is permissible only in colloquial style, not in written English because of the conflict here, ie, lack of concord in number between the plural demonstrative ( these , those ) and the singular head (kind , sort ).


Rule 33 A noun (singular or plural) denoting weights/measures/amount/ quantity/distance etc takes a singular verb. For example, Five miles/kilometres is a long way to walk. Seven thousand rupees has been paid to him. Ten litres of petrol is required for my journey. Sixty years is a long time. Ten kilograms is enough for me.

Note: Sometimes a plural verb is used if idea of plurality is dominant. When the subject is a sum of money considered as a whole, the singular verb is used. When the subject is a sum of money and the reference is to the bills or coins considered separately, the plural verb is used. For example, There were ten gold coins in her purse. A thousand rupees were distributed among the flood victims. Five years have rolled by. The first ten years were the most nerve-racking.

Rule 34 A noun (singular or plural) denoting the name of a place/institution or the title of a book takes a singular verb. For example, Jaipur is a popular tourist destination. The Arabian Nights is still very popular.

K KUNDAN Rule 35

In the construction subject + verb be + complement , the verb be agrees in number with the subject, not the complement. For example, Our only guide was the stars. The stars were our only guide.

In this construction a complement (singular or plural) has no say in influencing concord. So, we don’t say: The wealth of a nation are the people.

Rule 36 In the construction It + be + noun / pronoun , the subject is ‘ it ’, so the verb is always singular is/was , and not are/were . For example, It’s me/him. It’s they who talk a lot but do nothing. It was you who created the problem.

Rule 37 In the construction, subject + noun/pronoun in apposition , the verb agrees with the subject and not with the noun/pronoun used in apposition to the subject. For example, I, a student, am in urgent need of your help. (not, is) You, a literary ciritic, have failed to appreciate poetry. (not, has)


Rule 38 Certain adjectives are used with the definite article (the) to talk about group of people in a particular condition. For example,

The blind, the sick, the deaf, the poor, the r ich, th e young, th e old, the dead, the brave, the coward, the handicapped, the unemployed. These expressions have a plural meaning: ‘the blind’ means ‘the blind people’ or ‘all blind people’, but not ‘the blind man’. Whenever such an expression forms the subject of a sentence, it takes a plural verb. For example, The The The The

blind are helpless. rich are selfish. poor are hungry. unemployed are restless.

Rule 39 Some of the nationality words ending in - sh or - ch or - ese can also be used with a definite article as given below:

The British, The English, The Fr ench, The Irish, The D utch These expre ssions are plural : The British means ‘all (the) British people’. When the subject of a sentence is one such expression it takes a plural verb. For example,

K KUNDAN The The The The

French love good food. British have a long history. Chinese are strong-willed. Japanese are hard-working.

Rule 40 ‘ There ’ can never be the subject of a verb. Hence look for the subject after the verb in sentences beginning with ‘ there ’. For example, There There There There There There There

is a party tonight. are a number of meetings tomorrow. seems no reason to question his honesty. were ten students in our group. are always two sides to every story. seem to be two lions in the den. is a book on the table.

Rule 41 In expressions where the same singular noun is joined by a preposition (singular noun + prepositi on ) the verb used is always singular. For example, Ship after ship is heading towards the shore. Letter after letter pinpoints the need for hard-work.


Rule 42 Than + elliptical com parative clause He always uses more words than are necessary. She carries with her more money than is safe to do.

In elliptical compraratives like these, the number of the noun placed before ‘than’ normally determines the number of the verb used after ‘ than ’. singular noun + than + singular verb

For example, .....more food than is required. plural noun + than + plural verb

For example, .....more teachers than are required.

Rule 43 In the expressions ‘ as regards ’, ‘ as concerns ’, ‘ as follows ’ the verb (regard /concern / fol low) is always singular (ie regards /concerns / follows ). For example, The repor t is as follows..... The rat es are as follows..... (not, The quotations are as follow.)

K KUNDAN Rule 44

‘ The following ’/‘ The undesigned ’ can be used as a substitute for a noun. The concord is governed by the number of its referent. For example, The The (for The The (for

follo win g is the weather report. under signe d requests the students.... example, ‘the principal of the college’) foll owing are the new rates. undersi gned request the students... example, ‘the principal and the staff’)

Note: The expressions ‘ the former ’ and ‘ the latter ’ also behave in a similar way.

Rule 45 A relative pronoun as subject takes a singular verb when the antecedent is singular but it takes a plural verb when the antecedent is plural. For example, I have read the book that is on the table. I have not read the books that are on the shelf. God helps those who help themselves.

Construction I: One of + plural pronoun/noun (antecedent) + relative pronun

Concord (Syntax or subject and verb Agreement) / 259 In this construction the antecedent is always plural so the relative pronoun takes a plural verb. For example, He is one of those who do what they say. She is one of the women who have sacrificed everything for their children.

Construction II: It is + nou n/pronoun (antecedent) + relative pronoun In this construction the antecedent is the noun/pronoun placed after the verb ‘be’. The antecedent is not ‘ It ’. So the relative pronoun agrees in number/person with the noun or pronoun, not with the empty ‘ It .’ For example, It is I who have made this film. It is he who has stolen my car. It is they who create all kinds of problems.

Note: If the antecedent of the relative pronoun is the objective case pronoun ‘ me ’, the verb agrees with a third person singular subject. For example, It is me who is to suffer.

Rule 46 In spite of the number of terms on either side, mathematical equations like the following take verbs required by third person singular subjects. For example,

K KUNDAN (a+b)2 = a2+b2+2ab is one of the basic formulas (formulae) in Algebra. His contention was that a (x+y)2 = 50 was valid for every case.

Rule 47 If a sentence begins with the pronoun ‘I’ and is positive, the verb in the question tag is ‘are’. For example, I am really tall, aren’t I? I am really a scholar, aren’t I?

But if the sentence is negative or if the verb is in the past tense form, the verb in the question tag agrees with ‘I’. For example, I am not wrong, am I? I was frightened, wasn’t I?

Rule 48 If the subject of a sentence is a clause, the verb is singular. For example, What he does these days doesn’t concern me. Whether a book will sell depends on how good it is. That she is still alive is good news.


Rule 49 If the subject of a sentence, however, is a complex of co-ordinate clauses, the verb is plural. For example, What I say and what I do are no business of yours. Whether you should get married now or whether you should remain single all your life are your personal problems.

Rule 50 In sentences like the following, the verb agrees with the notional subject of the noun clause operating as the subject of the sentence. For example, What was once a huge castle is nothing but piles of rubble. What were once beautiful houses are now nothing but piles of rubble.

Rule 51 If one of the two subjects is negative (in the sense that it begins with a negative word) and the other one is positive, the verb agrees with the positive subject. Even if the negative subject is nearer the verb. For example, Not this The this

the Defence Minister, but the two generals deserve a reward for victory. two generals, but not the defence Minister, deserve a reward for victory.

K KUNDAN

Such sentences are, however, not entirely acceptable to some people and should therefore be rewritten as follows: The two generals deserve a reward for this victory but the Defence Minister does not’.

Rule 52 In the construction collective noun + of + plural noun , a singular collective noun+of+noun is used as a unit to denote a single undivided group of people or things. For example, see the following phrases:

a batch of a bunch of a band of a chain of a class of a crowd of a fleet of a gang of a galaxy of a group of a herd/a flock of a pack/packet of a set of a series of a team of In sentences like these the verb is singular because the number of the verb is determined by the singular collective noun, and not by the plural noun placed after ‘ of ’. For example, A A A A A A

band of musicians has come. bunch of keys/grapes is lying on the table. series of accidents has taken place. team of doctors has been called in. herd of cattle is in the field. set of bangles has been purchased.


Rule 53 Some of the collective nouns take the verb in the singular or in the plural according as the speaker thinks of the thing as a single whole or of the individuals of which it is composed.

Class Cabinet Jury Mob For example, The The The The The The The The

Committee Government

Board Team

Army

team (as a unit) is winning. team (as individuals) are fighting for a win. class (as a unit) is marching into the hall. class (as individuals ) are debating this point. jury (as a single body) has given its verdict. jury (as indiv iduals) were discussing this point. committee (as a single body) has issued its report. commit tee (as indivi duals) are divided in their opinion.

Rule 54 Certain nouns, though singular in form, are used as plural and they usually take plural verb. For example,

Cattle Clergy Poultry Public For example,

Gentry Swine

People Police Vermin

K KUNDAN The The The The The

cattle are grazing in the field. landed gentry were once all in all. public were moved by this spectacle. clergy were unanimous in their opinion. vermin are harmful.

Note: ‘People’ is used both in singular and plural when it means ‘a nation’. For example, The America ns are a simple and brave people. Many different peoples live in Asia.

Rule 55 The following nouns are used only in the singular form and the verb that follows them is also singular. For example,

abuse, advice, alarm, alphabet, bread, brick, clothing, folk, furniture, gossip, hair, information, issue, luggage, offspring, poetr y, scenery, thunder etc. For example, The scenery of Darjeeling is very beautiful. (Correct) The sceneries of Darjeeling are very beautiful. (Incorrect) Their information is based on facts. ( Correct) Their informations are based on facts. ( Incorrect) All my furniture has been burnt. (Correct) All my furnitures have been burnt. (Incorrect)

262 / Rules of English Grammar and Usage Your hair has turned white. (Correct) Your hairs have turned white. (Incorrect) His luggage has been packed. (Correct) His luggages have been packed. ( Incorrect)

Note: When more than one languages is spoken of, the plural of ‘ alphabet’ is ‘ alphabets’. When ‘ abuse’ is used in the sense of ‘ wrong use’, the plural is ‘ abuses’. When ‘ issue’ means ‘ result’ its plural is ‘ i ssues ’.

Rule 56 The word ‘ majority’ can be singular or plural. However, if it is followed by a plural noun, it is always plural. For example, The majority believe/believes that the country can progress. The majority of the lecturers believe that the student has not copied in the examination.

Rule 57 If the subject of a sentence is one of the following: ‘barracks’, ‘headquarters’, ‘whereabouts’ etc the verb can be either singular or plural. For example, The headquarters of the UNO is/are New York. His present whereabouts is/are not known.

K KUNDAN Rule 58

In sports while referring to the players, the name of the country is followed by plural verb. For example, England have won the World Cup. India have won the match by three goals to one. Australia have lost the Test Match by six wickets.

Rule 59 When the word ‘ enemy ’ is used in the sense of “armed forces” of a nation with which one’s country is at war, we have to use the plural verb. For example, The enemy were forced to retreat.

Rule 60 Names of diseases like ‘ measles’, ‘ m umps’ and ‘ s hingles’ take a singular verb although they have an ‘s’ at the end. For example, Measles is not a fatal disease. These days mumps is not at all difficult to cure. Shingles is a disease in which the patient develops lots of inflamed spots round the waist.


Rule 61 When ‘data’ means ‘facts’ it is used as a plural noun but when it means ‘a body of facts’, it is used as a singular noun. For example, The data are now ready for computation. The data is now ready for computation.

Rule 62 (i) ‘ Statistics’ can be used in such a way as to mean a branch of knowledge. In such cases it takes a verb required by third person singular subjects. But in certain cases it can mean facts in numbers. In such cases it takes a plural verb. For example, Statistics is a very useful subject. The availabl e statistics indicate that the population of the world will double in about 30 years.

(ii) If ‘ acoustics’ means ‘the science of sound’, it takes a verb required by third person singular subjects. But it takes a plural verb if it refers to the properties of a hall which make it good or bad for hearing speeches, music etc. For example, Acoustics is a branch of physics. The acoustics of that new hall are excellent.

K KUNDAN

(iii) Similarly, in their usual sense, ‘ mathematics’ and ‘ economics’ take singular verbs. But sometimes, ‘mathematics’ means ‘mathematical calculation’ and ‘economics’ means ‘economic fact’ or ‘financial considerations’. In such cases ‘mathematics’ an d ‘ economics’ take plural verbs. For example, Mathematics is the queen of all sciences. If my mathematics are correct, the total ground area of this big house is 1255 square feet. Economics is a very useful subject. What are the economics of such a project?

8.Concord-RULES OF ENGLISH GRAMMAR AND USAGE.pdf

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