Concord and Agreement: notes

The Rule

The verb agrees with its subject, not with the word nearest to it.

• The box of apples is on the table. The subject is box.
• The teacher, together with her pupils, is going. Together with does not make the subject plural.

Tricky Subjects

• Each, every, either, neither, everyone, nobody: singular. Each of the girls has a book.
• Either...or and neither...nor: the verb agrees with the nearer subject. Neither the boys nor the girl was late.
• Collective nouns: singular when the group acts as one: The team is winning.
• Plural-looking singular words: news, mathematics, physics take a singular verb.
• Pairs: scissors, trousers take a plural verb.

Quantity Words

• Much, little, less: for things you cannot count: much water, less sugar.
• Many, few, fewer: for things you can count: many books, fewer learners.

Pronouns

• A pronoun agrees with the noun it replaces: Each learner must bring his or her book.