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Concord: making subjects and verbs agree

By Michael Ukwuma

The agreement rules that trip up even strong English users, with quick checks you can run while proofreading.

Concord means agreement. The verb must match its subject: one person does, two people do. Simple in theory. In a timed test, it slips. And every slip is a small mark against your Readability or Listenability score.

The basic rule

Singular and plural

The manager wants a report.

The managers want a report.

My neighbour has two dogs.

My neighbours have two dogs.

The six traps

1. Words between the subject and the verb

Find the real subject. Ignore the phrase in the middle.

Example

Wrong: The list of items are on the table.

Right: The list of items is on the table.

2. Each, every, everyone, nobody

These are singular.

Example

Everyone in my family loves the park.

Each of the students has a locker.

3. Collective nouns in Canadian English

Team, family, staff, council and government usually take a singular verb in Canadian English.

Example

The city council is meeting on Tuesday.

My family lives near the lake.

4. There is and there are

Look at what comes after.

Example

There is a problem with the heating.

There are three problems with the apartment.

5. Either or, neither nor

The verb agrees with the closer subject.

Example

Neither my brother nor my parents are coming.

Neither my parents nor my brother is coming.

6. Uncountable nouns

Information, advice, equipment, furniture, traffic and news are singular and never take an s.

Example

Wrong: Thank you for the informations. The news are good.

Right: Thank you for the information. The news is good.

Pronoun agreement

Pronouns must also match. If you start with 'a student', keep it singular or switch the whole sentence to plural.

Example

Weak: A tenant should pay their rent on time or they get a fine.

Clear: Tenants should pay their rent on time, or they may get a fine.

Your proofreading check

Key points

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