English is not hard as you probably think. This is one of the quotes I state to my online students. There are several rules governing the language. It is pertinent to understand the rules and also grasp their exceptions for easy application in our conversations as users of the language. Studying the rules of concord is not optional but necessary because they will help you sound more confident while speaking and also become grammatically expressive while writing.
TITLE CONCORD
The rule governing this concord states that the titles of books and texts attract singular verbs.
Can you recall the book, ‘Romeo and Juliet’ written by William Shakespeare? It’s the major example we would analyze now. If you want to discuss the book, how would you talk about the book as an interesting one? Would you use a singular verb or a plural verb? Some users of English may be tempted to use a plural verb because of the presence of “and” in the title.
Study the following sentences.
Romeo and Juliet are an interesting book written by William Shakespeare. (Wrong)
Romeo and Juliet is an interesting book written by William Shakespeare. (Correct)
UNCOUNTABLE NUMERICAL CONCORDS
Some nouns are tricky. They are singular in meaning but have plural forms. Examples include ethics, mathematics, politics, economics, news, linguistics and others.
During one of my moments of reflection, I was befuddled by why “news” attracts singular verbs.
The bad news is being peddled around by our enemies. (Correct)
The bad news are being peddled around by our enemies. (Wrong)
Economics are being taught in several Nigerian universities. (Wrong)
Economics is being taught in several Nigerian universities. (Correct)
The rule here states that these uncountable nouns should be used with singular verbs. Are you not surprised by this sentence? Mathematics is a hard subject.
Why don’t we use “Mathematics are a hard subject”?
“Each of” Concord
Whenever “Each of” serves as a modifier to a noun or pronoun, a singular verb is required.
Review the following sentences.
Each of the students knows the story. (Correct)
Each of the students know the story. (Wrong)
Have you forgotten the rule that states that a singular subject must attract a singular verb? Assume we have “One of the students knows the answer”. Does this violate the rule? No! Therefore, “ Each of the pregnant women complains bitterly about the nurse’s attitude” is also correct.
“Many a” Concord
Those of us who wrote the last Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination might have come across this expression. Whenever “Many a” is used, it should be followed by a singular noun. Therefore, it attracts a singular verb.
Many a politician loves looting public fund.
Many a child is troublesome.
In interpretation, the first sentence means “Many politicians..” while the second expression means “Many children…”
Between “much” and “many”
Students are much in the building. (Wrong)
Students are many in the building. (Correct)
“Much” should be used for uncountable nouns while “many” should attract plural countable nouns.
Many parents attended the last Children’s Day celebration in Kaduna (Correct)
Much parents attendede the last Children’s Day celebration in Kaduna (Wrong)
The oil in the food is much. (Correct)
The reason is, “oil” is uncountable.
Countless times, I have heard these errors from people who are also students of English. Someone once said, “The people are much”. I was bewildered by the expression because “much” should be reserved for uncountable nouns only, as stated earlier.
Amount of Money
Money and units of measurement attract singular verbs because they are considered singular nouns.
One thousand naira is enough for me in Lafia.
Two thousand years is nothing before God.
One hundred naira is not enough to buy anything in this economy.
Money should never be considered a plural noun. In that case, these under-listed sentences are wrong.
One hundred naira are not enough to buy anything in this century. (Wrong)
Two thousand years are nothing before God. (Wrong)
Seeing is believing
The complement of every progressive aspect of the verb (gerund) must agree with its form. The same rule is applicable to infinitive.
Seeing is to believe. (Wrong)
Seeing is progressive. So, believing should be progressive also.
Assignment
Choose the right answer to each of the following questions.
- Each of the students —– money to school. (a) brings (b) bring (c) bringing
- Twenty thousand naira …… not enough to organize a party. (a) are (b) is (c) were
- Too….. Nigerians are bemoaning the removal of fuel subsidy. (a) little (b) much (c) many
Kindly forward your answers to me on samueltolulopelalimi@gmail.com or 07049203179.
Names of those who answered the last questions correctly
Rasheed Fatah, Olalekan Afeez, Pitan Rasheed, Alimi Olive, John Bright, Okikiola Ogooluwa, Yusuf Temitope, Ogunsanya Oluwaseun and Eze Jerry.
