Take note of the following rules of Concord to avoid mistakes in your speech

The word Concord means the agreement or harmony with exits between the subject 9f a sentence (noun or pronoun) and a verb.The rule is that a singular subject (noun or pronoun) should be followed by a singular verb while a plural subject (noun 9r pronoun) should be followed by a plural verb. I.e. S. N(P) + S. V. while P. N (P) + P. V.

It is important to state here that most nouns form their plurals by adding 's', 'es' or "ies" to them.The revers is the case with verbs. When a verb has 's', 'es' or "ies"vin front of it, that verb is singular.E.g

The girl walks faster than her Mother.

The girls walk faster than their Mother.

The following Rules will let you understand better :

1. RULE OF PERCENTAGE AND FRACTIONS : When a percentage or fraction is used as a subject of a sentence and it is immediately followed by of, it is the noun or pronoun that comes after the percentage or fraction that controls the verb. E.g:

Sixty - percent of the students like mathematics..The subject is plural noun (the students) hence it took the verb 'like'

Three - quarters of the church building was painted..The subject is singular noun (the church building) hence it took the verb 'was'

2. RULE OF NUMBER : When number is used as a subject of a sentence and is followed by 'of' it takes the plural verb when preceded by a indefinite article (a) and a singular when preceded by a definite article (the). E. g:

A number of students have missed the opportunity to re-register.

The number of students in my school is forty thousand

3. RULE OF PROXIMITY : The word proximity simply means nearness. When two subjects are linked or correlated by neither – nor / either – or, the verb to be used will be determined by the subject nearest to the verb. I.e the subject that comes after nor or the subject after or E. g:

Either Uche or you are to come...The subject nearer to the verb is you hence it took the verb 'are'

Neither the players nor the coach deserves the blames...The subject nearer to the verb is the coach (a singular subject) hence it took the verb 'deserves'

4. RULE OF DOUBLE TITLE - SUBJECT : The cab be said to be an exception to the rule in concord of subordinate subject with particular reference to the use of 'and' (a coordinator) in joining two subjects. When 'and' is used to join two subjects, a singular verb will be used if the two subjects refer to the same person or thing.The person or thing has a double title. e.g

The Emir and conqueror of the enemy territories arrives next week...Here the 'Emir' is the same person as the 'conqueror'.hence it took the verb 'arrives'.

The founder and pastor of my church is hardworking...both The founder and pastor refer to the same person. Hence it took the verb 'is'.

Note; when a definite article 'the' preceded the second subject, separate people are involved and a plural verb will be supplied..e. g

The founder and the pastor of my church are hardworking.. Here, the founder is not the same person as the pastor. Hence it took the verb 'are'.

5. RULE OF RELATIVE : when a relative pronoun like who which that or whose comes immediately after a noun or pronoun, the first verb will be controlled by the noun or pronoun which the pronoun is referring to while the second verb (if any) will be controlled by the 'number' at the beginning of the sentence.

E. g:

One of the rioters who were arrested yesterday has been released

Explanation : The rioters were arrested yesterday

One of the rioters has been released.

Two of the boys who play in our class like me.

Explanation : The boys play in our class.

Two of the boys like me.

6. RULE OF INDEFINITE PRONOUNS : When a pronoun that has one, body, or thing ending is used in a sentence, it takes the singular verb and the fact that it gives an impression of a collective action action does not change this rule. I.e someone, something, anything, nothing, anybody, everybody, everything, e. t. c. Examples:

Everybody wants to be rich by hook or by crook

Everyone knows that uneasy lies the head that wears a crown

Everything is okay

7. RULE OF EACH & EVERY : When a singular number follow 'every ' a singular verb is used but when a plural number follows it, a plural verb is used. A singular number and a singular verb usually come after 'each'.

Note: However that a plural number cannot be used after each and every expect when if is used. e. g:

Every boys... (wrong)

Every one of the boys... (Right)

Each boys..... (wrong)

Each of the boys... (right)

Every woman wants a very rich man as husband

Each chair costs a thousand naira.

Note : "Each of" goes with a plural number and a singular verb e. g.

Each of the candidates has a chance to win.

8. RULE OF "A PAIR OF ": A pair of should be always be followed by a plural noun and a singular verb .(A pair of + PN + SN).e. g

A pair of trousers is all I want from my brother.

A pair of shoes was stolen by the visitor.

A pair of glasses is on the table.

9. RULE OF SINGULAR NOUN THAT APPEARS AS IF THEY WERE PLURALS

some singular noun appear as if they were plural because they have 's' after them or because they are linked by a coordinator (and).These nouns are found in four major areas.

* Title of books / magazines

* Diseases

* Games

* School courses / Subject

Examples are : Romeo and Juliet is an interesting play

Measles is a curable disease

Snake and ladders is not a common game

Statistics has many formulae.