English concord rules: subject–verb agreement with examples

Concord, or subject–verb agreement, means the verb must agree with its subject in number: a singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb. It sounds simple, but English has many situations where the "real" subject isn't obvious. That is why concord questions appear in almost every English Language paper in JAMB, WAEC, NECO and BECE.

This guide covers the rules that come up most, each with examples.

Rule 1: The basic rule

A singular subject takes a singular verb; a plural subject takes a plural verb.

• The boy plays football.
• The boys play football.

Remember that in the present tense, the singular verb usually ends in -s (plays, runs, is, has) and the plural verb usually does not (play, run, are, have). This is the opposite of nouns, where -s usually makes a plural.

Rule 2: Ignore words between the subject and the verb

Phrases like "of the students", "together with", "as well as", "along with" and "in addition to" do not change the subject.

• The box of oranges is on the table. (The subject is box, not oranges.)
• The principal, together with the teachers, was at the meeting.
• Ada, as well as her brothers, likes rice.

Trap: students see the plural word nearest the verb and choose a plural verb. Always find the real subject.

Rule 3: Neither … nor / Either … or

The verb agrees with the subject nearer to it.

• Neither the teacher nor the students were happy.
• Neither the students nor the teacher was happy.
• Either my brothers or my father is coming.

Rule 4: "Each", "every", "either", "neither" used alone

These words take a singular verb.

• Each of the boys has a book.
• Every student is expected to attend.
• Neither of the answers is correct.
• Either of the roads leads to the market.

Trap: "Each of the boys have" sounds natural to many speakers, but it is wrong in examination English.

Rule 5: "One of the …"

"One of the" + plural noun takes a singular verb when "one" is the subject.

• One of the students is absent.
• One of my friends lives in Abuja.

But in "one of those who…" constructions, the verb in the who clause is plural, because who refers to the plural noun:

• She is one of the students who have passed. (Several students have passed; she is one of them.)

Rule 6: Collective nouns

Collective nouns (team, family, committee, class, jury, government, audience) usually take a singular verb when the group acts as one unit:

• The committee has made its decision.
• The team is playing well this season.

They take a plural verb when the members act individually or disagree:

• The jury were divided in their opinions.
• The family are arguing among themselves.

Notice the pronoun must match too: "its decision" (singular) and "their opinions" (plural).

Rule 7: Nouns that look plural but are singular

Some nouns end in -s but take a singular verb:

• Mathematics is my favourite subject.
• The news was shocking.
• Physics, economics, measles and politics (as a subject) are also usually singular.

Rule 8: Nouns that are always plural

Some nouns are always plural and take a plural verb:

• My trousers are torn.
• The scissors are on the table.
• The cattle are grazing.
• The police have arrived.

Trap: "cattle" and "police" have no -s, but they are plural.

Rule 9: Two subjects joined by "and"

Two subjects joined by and usually take a plural verb:

• Tolu and Ngozi are friends.

Exception: when both words refer to one person or thing, use a singular verb:

• Bread and butter is my favourite breakfast. (One dish.)
• The secretary and treasurer was present. (One person holding both roles.)

Rule 10: Indefinite pronouns

These take a singular verb: everyone, everybody, someone, somebody, anyone, anybody, no one, nobody, nothing, everything, something.

• Everyone is welcome.
• Nobody knows the answer.

Rule 11: Expressions of amount, time and money

When an amount is treated as one quantity, use a singular verb:

• Ten thousand naira is too much for that bag.
• Five years is a long time.
• Two kilometres is not far to walk.

Rule 12: "The number of" versus "a number of"

• The number of students has increased. (Subject: the number, singular.)
• A number of students have arrived. (Meaning: several students, plural.)

Test yourself

Choose the correct verb:

1. The quality of the mangoes ___ (was/were) poor.
2. Neither Musa nor his friends ___ (has/have) arrived.
3. Each of the candidates ___ (is/are) to bring a pencil.
4. Mathematics ___ (is/are) compulsory in WAEC.
5. A number of parents ___ (has/have) complained.

Answers: 1. was (subject: quality); 2. have (nearer subject: friends); 3. is (each); 4. is (singular subject name); 5. have (a number of = several).

How to master concord

• Find the real subject first in every question. Cross out phrases like "of the…" and "together with…" in your mind.
• Learn the special words (each, every, either, neither, everyone, the number of) as a list.
• Practise regularly with questions that explain the rule behind each answer.

Levia's English Language and junior English Studies subjects include concord practice at every level, with an explanation of the exact rule each time, so you learn the pattern rather than guessing.