Page 250 - Effective Communication Soft Skills Strategies For Success by Nitin Bhatnagar, Mamta Bhatnagar

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238 | Chapter 10 ACE Pro India Pvt. Ltd.

Object–Verb Concord
Whichever sentence type you may choose to use, the subject–verb concord
is very essential to good written English. Such sentences as ‘you know it very
well’ or ‘they goes home early too often’, or ‘he ready to work late’ are just not
permissible in good written English. Hence let us briefly look at the major
principles of subject–verb concord.
i. Basically, if the subject (a noun/a pronoun) is singular, the verb
has to be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb, too, must be
plural.

e.g., A student performs well if his teachers teach sincerely.
ii. A verb agrees with the subject, not its complement.
e.g., During the journey at night in those deserts, our only guide was
the stars.

The stars were our only guide at night.
iii. When two singular nouns used together refer to the same person or
thing or are practically synonymous or jointly express a single idea,
the verb is singular.
e.g., Dr Kalam, the President and scientist, is an ideal of the young-
sters today. His power and influence is very great. Idli and sambar
is his favourite breakfast.
iv. If a collective noun used as a subject shows some internal division,
use the plural form of the verb; otherwise, the singular.
e.g., The School committee is divided in their opinion on the issue of
capitation fee.
The Indian cricket team at times actually plays professionally.
v. If a plural noun indicates a specific quality or amount considered as a
unit, the verb is singular.
e.g., Ten thousand rupees per annum is not a large sum to pay if you
want to join our school.

Three parts of the chapter is almost complete.
Two kilometers is not a long distance marathon.
vi. In ‘not-only-but-also’ construction, the verb agrees with the noun
immediately preceding it.

e.g., Not only the teacher but also all the students were irritated with
his boorish behaviour.

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