An error of concord, often referred to as an error of agreement, occurs when there is a numerical mismatch between elements in a sentence that are supposed to correspond in number. This typically involves a singular subject being incorrectly paired with a plural verb, or a singular pronoun being forced to agree with a plural antecedent, and vice versa.
Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement
The most common type of concord error involves a subject and its verb. In English grammar, a singular subject requires a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb. Failure to adhere to this rule results in an error of concord.
Common Pitfalls in Subject-Verb Agreement
Several scenarios can make subject-verb agreement tricky:
- Intervening Phrases: Phrases or clauses that come between the subject and the verb can obscure the true subject.
- Incorrect: The box of apples are on the table. (The subject is 'box', which is singular.)
- Correct: The box of apples is on the table.
- Collective Nouns: Nouns that represent a group (e.g., team, family, committee) can be singular or plural depending on whether the group is acting as a single unit or as individual members.
- Singular: The team is ready for the game. (The team acts as one unit.)
- Plural: The team are debating among themselves. (Individual members are acting.)
- Indefinite Pronouns: Some indefinite pronouns are always singular (e.g., everyone, anyone, nobody, something), while others are always plural (e.g., both, few, many, several), and some can be singular or plural depending on the context (e.g., all, any, none, some).
- Incorrect: Everyone in the class have completed the assignment.
- Correct: Everyone in the class has completed the assignment.
- Compound Subjects: Subjects joined by "and" are usually plural. Subjects joined by "or," "nor," "either...or," or "neither...nor" agree with the noun closest to the verb.
- Incorrect: Neither the students nor the teacher are prepared.
- Correct: Neither the students nor the teacher is prepared.
Examples of Subject-Verb Concord Errors
| Category | Incorrect Example | Correct Example | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Mismatch | The dog bark loudly. | The dog barks loudly. | Singular subject 'dog' requires singular verb 'barks'. |
| Intervening Phrase | The list of required books are extensive. | The list of required books is extensive. | The subject is 'list' (singular), not 'books' (plural). |
| Collective Noun | The committee have decided to adjourn. | The committee has decided to adjourn. | 'Committee' is acting as a single unit. |
| Indefinite Pronoun | Each of the students were given a prize. | Each of the students was given a prize. | 'Each' is always singular. |
| Compound Subject | Bread and butter are my favorite breakfast. | Bread and butter is my favorite breakfast. | 'Bread and butter' is treated as a single unit or item. |
Understanding Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
Another aspect of concord involves pronouns and their antecedents (the nouns or other pronouns they refer to). A pronoun must agree in number (and gender) with the noun it replaces or refers to.
Common Pitfalls in Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
- Indefinite Pronouns as Antecedents: Similar to subject-verb agreement, indefinite pronouns can cause confusion.
- Incorrect: Everyone should bring their own lunch. (While commonly used informally, 'everyone' is singular.)
- Correct (traditional): Everyone should bring his or her own lunch.
- Correct (singular 'they' for general audience, increasing acceptance): Everyone should bring their own lunch. (This usage is becoming more widely accepted to avoid gendered language, especially when the gender is unknown or irrelevant.)
- Collective Nouns as Antecedents: If a collective noun acts as a singular unit, its pronoun should be singular. If members are acting individually, the pronoun should be plural.
- Incorrect: The team took their positions on the field.
- Correct: The team took its positions on the field.
- Compound Antecedents: When antecedents are joined by "and," the pronoun is plural. When joined by "or" or "nor," the pronoun agrees with the antecedent closest to it.
- Incorrect: Neither the boys nor Sarah forgot their book.
- Correct: Neither the boys nor Sarah forgot her book.
Tips to Avoid Errors of Concord
- Identify the True Subject: Always pinpoint the main subject of the sentence before determining the verb's form, especially when intervening phrases are present.
- Know Your Indefinite Pronouns: Memorize which indefinite pronouns are singular, plural, or context-dependent.
- Be Mindful of Collective Nouns: Decide whether the collective noun is acting as one unit or as separate individuals to determine agreement.
- Read Aloud: Sometimes, reading a sentence aloud can help you hear grammatical errors.
- Practice: Consistent practice and exposure to grammatically correct sentences can improve your intuition for agreement.
Understanding and applying the rules of concord are fundamental to clear and effective communication in written and spoken English.
