246 / Rules of English Grammar and Usage

Chapter 8

Concord
(SYNTAX OR SUBJECT AND VERB AGREEMENT)
Introduction
Concord means a harmonious relationship between two grammatical
items. Of all the types of concord the most important is the concord
of number and person between the subject and the verb.
In English the concord system is simple, a verb is not affected by
the gender system at all because it has the same form for both
masculine and feminine subjects. Further, subject-verb-concord in
English is restricted to simple present tense. In English there is
nothing like object-verb-concord.

Grammatical Concord
A singular subject takes a singular verb. A plural subject takes a
plural verb. In short, a verb is in the same number as its subject. It
is called grammatical concord. For example,

K KUNDAN
The
The
The
The

teacher writes on the blackboard. (Singular)

child plays on the lawns. (Singular)
teachers write on the blackboard. (Plural)
children play on the lawns. (Plural)

Number System of Nouns and Verbs

The number system of nouns is the opposite of the number system
of verbs:
(i ) an s is a plural maker for a noun.
(ii) an s is a singular maker for a verb.
(in the simple present tense)
Nouns
Verbs
Singular Plural
Plural
Singular
book
books
write
writes
boy
boys
go/do
goes/does
thief
thieves
run
runs
catch
catches
catch
catches
fly
flies
fly
flies

Concord of Person
(i )

First person (singular/plural) takes a plural verb.

I/we like this book.

Concord (Syntax or subject and verb Agreement) / 247

(ii)

Second person (singular/plural) takes a plural verb.

You/you all like this book.

(iii) Third person (plural) takes a plural verb.

They like this book.

(iv ) Third person (singular) takes a singular verb.

He/she likes this book.

In short, the singular form of a verb is only for the third person
singular and the plural form for the rest.

Exception of Grammatical Concord

(i) Concord of number/person in past/future tense
The past forms of verbs (except verb be) are invariable. There is no
visible concord of number/person between the subject and the verb.
For example,
You/They/I/We went home after the party.
He/she went home after the party. (verb to go)

But:
You/they/we were watching a match on TV yesterday.
He/she/I was watching a match on TV yesterday. (verb to be)

K KUNDAN
(ii) Modal auxiliaries

Modal auxiliaries dont show number and person concord because

their forms are invariable in all tenses. For example,
I/we/you/they/he/she can do this sum.
I/we/you/they/he/she will go home tomorrow.

(iii) Marginal auxiliaries/semi-modal auxiliaries

Need and Dare in the negative form, and used to dont have number
and person concord. For example,
He/they need not work hard.
He/they dare not oppose me.
I/we/he/she used to play tennis.

Note: But need and dare in the affirmative do have number and
person concord. For example,
I/we need to work hard.
He needs to work hard.

(iv) Adverb clause of improbable condition

A singular subject takes a plural verb were in a clause expressing
an improbable condition. For example,
If I were you I wouldnt do it.
If Raju were a millionaire, he would donate a hefty sum to the hospital.

248 / Rules of English Grammar and Usage

(v) Adverb clause of manner (as if/as though)
A singular subject usually takes a plural verb were in a clause
expressing manner (as if/as though+clause) For example,
She memorises all her lessons as if she were a computer.
He commands me as if he were my boss.

(vi) Unfulfilled wish in present/future.

A singular subject takes a plural verb were in a clause expressing
an unfulfilled wish. For example,
I wish I were a millionaire.
Were I a king I would live a life of ease.

Concord System in Different Constructions

Rule 1
When two subjects are joined by and, the verb is plural. For example,
My friend and his father are in India.
You and I are working.
Are not your sister and brother ill?
Wealth and happiness are all Mohan wants.
Table and chair were both very costly.
Rice and wheat, purchased a week before, were both rotten.

K KUNDAN
Rule 2

When singular subjects represent one collective idea, a singular verb

is used. They are called parcel subject. For example,
Rice and curry is his favourite dish.
Truth and honesty is the best policy.
Slow and steady wins the race.
Bread and butter is our daily need.
Whisky and soda was his only food.
This is the long and the short of the matter.

But a parcel subject takes a plural verb when the complement is

plural. For example,
Food and shelter are the bare necessities of life.

(Here, the bold word necessities is complement.)

Rule 3
When two singular nouns joined by and refer to the same person or
thing, the verb is singular. For example,
The secretary and treasurer has been arrested.
The District Magistrate and Collector is on leave today.

Notes:
(i) Article the is used only once when the two nouns refer to
the same person or thing.

Concord (Syntax or subject and verb Agreement) / 249

(ii) If the two nouns refer to different persons or things, article
the is used before each noun. In such cases, the verb will
be in the plural form. For example,
The secretary and the president have been given warm welcome.
The Vice-President of India and the Chancellor of this university
have agreed to this proposal.

The bold occurrence of the in both of the above mentioned sentences

shows that the statement is about two different persons.

Rule 4
The principle of grammatical concord states that the subject must
agree with the verb. When the subject is a complex noun phrase, it is
the number of the head-noun of the noun phrase that determines
the form of the verb. For example,
The teachers of this school know me. (teachers)
The mangoes on the tree are ripe. (mangoes)
The milk in the bottles is fresh. (milk)
The price of essential articles in all the states has shot up. (price)
The rays of the sun at noon in all parts of India are very bright. (rays)
The sound of the bells was heard by everyone. (sound)
One of the books is missing. (one)
The water of those streams was sweet. (water)
The trouble with all those cars was slow speed. (trouble)

K KUNDAN

Note: Care must be taken in determining the head-word of the subject.

Asking who/what to the verb will usually help identify the head of the
subject phrase.

Rule 5
When two singular subjects are practically synonymous the verb
should be in the singular form. For example,
The law and order situation in the state is under control.
His power and influence is on the decline.
Power and position has no charm for my friend.
Peace and prosperity is the need of the day.

Rule 6
If connectives like with, together with, along with, in addition to,
except, besides, and not, no less than, like etc are used to combine
two subjects the verb agrees with the subject mentioned first. For
example,
The president of India together with his personal secretaries is invited
to this function.
The actress along with her manager and some friends is attending the
function.
Mr Sanoj accompnied by his wife and children is arriving to night by
train.

250 / Rules of English Grammar and Usage

The ship, with all its passengers, was drowned.
A watch, in addition to rupees fifty, was given to Ritesh.
No one except a few students was there.
Milk, besides vegetables, is good for health.
Satish and not you has passed.
He, no less than his friends, is guilty.
She, like her parents, is a miser.

Rule 7
When two subjects are joined by as well as, the verb agrees in number
and person with first one, for example,
He as well as I is fond of fish.
My comrades as well as I are visiting Delhi.
You as well as he are innocent.

This connective behaves like separator because it is placed between

two nouns/pronouns to separate them. Therefore, a noun/pronoun
placed after as well as does not affect the verb.

Rule 8
When two or more nouns or pronouns in the singular are connected
by or, nor, either.....or, neither...nor they take a singular verb. For
example,
Neither Rupa nor her sister is to blame.
Either the dog or the cat has been killed.

K KUNDAN
Rule 9

When one of the subjects joined by or, nor, either....or, neither....nor

is plural, the verb must be plural, and the plural subject should be
placed close to the verb. For example,
Either the farmer or his sons reap harvest.
Neither Satish nor his sisters are honest.
He or his friends have stolen my watch.

Rule 10
When the subjects joined by or, nor either....or, neither....nor are of
different persons the verb agrees with the nearer subject. For example,
Either he or you are guilty.
Neither you nor I am to blame.
Neither you nor he is willing to come.
Neither he nor they are honest.

Rule 11
When the subjects joined by or, nor, either....or, neither....nor are
plural, the verb must be plural. For example,
Neither men nor women like this film.
Either teachers or parents are to blame.

Concord (Syntax or subject and verb Agreement) / 251

Rule 12
In sentences mentioned in Rule 9, the plural subject is placed
nearest to the verb. But in a question, a singular subject is placed
nearest to the verb. (This is a result of subject-auxiliary inversion in
question). For example,
Has he or his friends stolen my watch?

Rule 13
If two singular subjects (combined by and) are preceded by each or
every, the verb should by in the singular. For example,
Every boy and every girl was given sweets.
Each son and each daughter of Ramesh was educated.
Every day and every night brings its own pleasure.
Every man and every woman has the right to express his or her view.

Rule 14
Nouns qualified by each and every take singular verb. For example,
Every man and woman on this earth has to die one day.
Each soldier and sailor is to march.

It is assumed in the above sentences that every before woman and

each before sailor are understood.

K KUNDAN
Rule 15

When subjects are joined by not only.....but also, the verb agrees
with the last, that is, with the subject nearst to it. For example,
Not only Rajesh but also his sisters were arrested.
Not only her books but also her watch was stolen.

Note: In this construction the plural subject is usually placed last.

Look at the sentence given below:
Not only her purse but also her rings are missing.

Rule 16
None can take either a singular or a plural verb depending on the
noun which follows it.
Structure I: None + of the + uncountable noun + singular verb
For example,
None of the counterfeit money has been found.

Structure II: None + of the + plural countable noun + plural verb

For example,
None of the students have finished the exam yet.

252 / Rules of English Grammar and Usage

Rule 17
No can take either a singular or a plural verb depending on the noun
which follows it.
Structure I : No+singular noun + singular verb + uncountable noun
For example,
No example is relevant to this case.

Structure II : No + plural noun + plural verb

For example,
No examples are relevant to this case.

Rule 18
Distributive pronouns (each/either/neither etc) are always singular
whether or not they are followed by of + plural noun, so they go with
singular verbs. For example,
Neither of the two experiments was relevant to the topic of research.
(not, were)
Each of these procedures has its own advantages. (not, have)
Either of them has to demonstrate how this appratus works. (not, have)
Each one of you has to suffer for it. (not, have)
There are two girls here. Neither is tall. (not, are)

K KUNDAN
Rule 19

If each comes after a plural headword (ie, plural subect+each) the verb
agrees with the plural headword. For example,
We each want to be happy. (not, wants)
They each are facing problems. (not, is)

In the above construction a plural subject takes a plural verb because

each is used only in apposition to a plural noun. It cant make a
plural subject singular.

Rule 20
Singular indefinite pronouns go with singular verbs, plural indefinite
pronouns go with plural verbs and in the construction Indefinite
pronoun+of + plural noun/pronoun, a singular indefinite pronoun goes
with a singular verb.
For example,
Many a flower is born to blush unseen.
Everybody wants food.
Many an egg is rotten.
One has to take care of ones health.
No one has reached yet.
Everyone who saw his dead body was moved.
Every new born day is teeming with slipped chances.
Anybody with a will to work is welcome.

Concord (Syntax or subject and verb Agreement) / 253

Nobody is willing to help me.
Many were injured.
Only a few were selected.
Everyone of them is tall.

Rule 21
In the construction not one/no one of +plural noun/ pronoun the verb is
always singular because not one/no one is indisputably singular. For
example,
Not one/no one of the pupils has answered this question correctly.
(not, have)

Note: When a writer wants to stress the singularity of a concept, he

generally uses no one or not one of in place of none of.

Rule 22
When all means everything it takes a singular verb but when it
refers to a plural noun, it takes a plural verb. For example,
All is not lost yet. (not, are)
There are ten girls here. All are tall. (not, is)

Rule 23

K KUNDAN

When some/any refers to a singular uncountable noun it takes a

singular verb and when it (some/any) refers to a plural noun it takes
a plural verb. For example,
Some of the food has been wasted.
Some of the ink has spilt on the table.
Some of the boys are dull.
Are there any girls in your class?
Is there any hope now?

Rule 24
A few nouns always go in pairs, so they are called inseparables:
scissors, shears, trousers, pliers. Since they are undoubtedly plural
they take a plural verb. However, when preceded by a pair of, they
take a singular verb. For example,
Trousers are very comfortable in cold countries.
A pair of trousers is required for my cousin.

Rule 25
In the construction more than one + singular noun, noun takes a singular
noun and a singular verb. For example,
More than one man was killed in the accident.
More than one scholar has been honoured this year.
(not, More than one girls are absent.)

254 / Rules of English Grammar and Usage

Rule 26
In the construction more + plural noun + than one, more takes a plural
noun, so a plural verb is required. For example,
More proposals than one have been forwarded. (not, has been)

Rule 27
Numerals joined by and/plus denote a single arithmetic unit, so they
take a singular verb. For example,
Two and two makes/is four.
Two plus two is four.

In sentences like these a plural verb is rarely used in current English.

Note: But numerals that are treated as mere numerals, not as an
arithmetical expression do take a plural verb when they are joined by
and. It is equivalent to noun + and + noun. For example,
Three and thirteen are believed to be unlucky numbers.

Rule 28
The subject of a sentence in the construction (nothing but + noun) is
nothing and not the noun placed after but, so it always takes a
singular verb whether the latter noun is singular or plural. For
example,

K KUNDAN

There is nothing but sand in a desert.

Nothing but unfulfilled promises is what this administration has given
us.

Rule 29
A number of or a large number of is followed by a plural noun, for
example, people, men, teachers, and it is these plural nouns with
which the verb must agree not with the grammatical head of the
subject, that is, not with the word number. For example,
A large number of people have applied for the job.
A number of slum dwellers in Delhi have fallen victim to dangue.

Notice that in the above mentioned sentences, it is possible to use

the single word many in place of the phrases a large number of or a
number of. And the word many is always plural. Hence the plural
verb have.
The opposite of this can be seen in the following sentence:
The number of homeless people has gone up.

Here two points should be noted: (i) we are using the phrase the
number of not a number of or a large number of; and (ii) our concern
now is more with number than with the noun people. Hence, the
singular verb has.

Concord (Syntax or subject and verb Agreement) / 255

Rule 30
The subject of a sentence may begin with any one of the following
phrases: A good deal of, A great deal of, A lot of, Most of and some
of. In such a situation the verb agrees with the object of the
preposition of. For example,
A lot of people were present in the gallery.
A lot of work has to be completed before we go.
A good deal of time has been lost.
A good deal of efforts are needed.
Some of the music was boring.
Some of the children were hungry.

Rule 31
If the subject of a sentence begins with a fraction, the verb agrees
with the noun or pronoun that comes after the prepositon of. For
example,
Two-thirds of the book is interesting.
Two-thirds of the books are interesting.
A quarter of it is fresh.
A quarter of them are stale.
Half of it is useful.
Half of them are rotten.

K KUNDAN

The same principle applies with the phrases: The rest of, Majority of,
Heaps of, Most of, Plenty of, and Lots of. For example,
Lots of medicine has been prepared.
Lots of soldiers have come.
The rest of the novel is interesting.
The rest of the novels are interesting.
Plenty of milk is required in summer.
Plenty of eggs are required next week.

Rule 32
In the construction, This/This+kind of/sort of /type of +noun, kind of/
sort of/type of is treated as a single unit. For example,
This/that kind of food is harmful. (food)
This/that type of climate does not agree with me. (climate)
This/that sort of behaviour is in bad taste. (behaviour)
These/those kinds of people are unreliable. (people)

Note: These/those+kind of/sort of/type of+noun

In this construction, too, the verb agrees with the noun placed after
of, not with the singular noun before it. For example,
These kind of friends are not faithful.
Those sort of medicines are harmful.

However, this construction is permissible only in colloquial style,

not in written English because of the conflict here, ie, lack of concord
in number between the plural demonstrative (these, those) and the
singular head (kind, sort).

256 / Rules of English Grammar and Usage

Rule 33
A noun (singular or plural) denoting weights/measures/amount/
quantity/distance etc takes a singular verb. For example,
Five miles/kilometres is a long way to walk.
Seven thousand rupees has been paid to him.
Ten litres of petrol is required for my journey.
Sixty years is a long time.
Ten kilograms is enough for me.

Note: Sometimes a plural verb is used if idea of plurality is dominant.

When the subject is a sum of money considered as a whole, the
singular verb is used. When the subject is a sum of money and the
reference is to the bills or coins considered separately, the plural
verb is used. For example,
There were ten gold coins in her purse.
A thousand rupees were distributed among the flood victims.
Five years have rolled by.
The first ten years were the most nerve-racking.

Rule 34
A noun (singular or plural) denoting the name of a place/institution
or the title of a book takes a singular verb. For example,
Jaipur is a popular tourist destination.
The Arabian Nights is still very popular.

K KUNDAN
Rule 35

In the construction subject + verb be + complement, the verb be agrees

in number with the subject, not the complement. For example,
Our only guide was the stars.
The stars were our only guide.

In this construction a complement (singular or plural) has no say in

influencing concord. So, we dont say:
The wealth of a nation are the people.

Rule 36
In the construction It + be + noun / pronoun, the subject is it, so the
verb is always singular is/was, and not are/were. For example,
Its me/him.
Its they who talk a lot but do nothing.
It was you who created the problem.

Rule 37
In the construction, subject + noun/pronoun in apposition, the verb
agrees with the subject and not with the noun/pronoun used in
apposition to the subject. For example,
I, a student, am in urgent need of your help. (not, is)
You, a literary ciritic, have failed to appreciate poetry. (not, has)

Concord (Syntax or subject and verb Agreement) / 257

Rule 38
Certain adjectives are used with the definite article (the) to talk about
group of people in a particular condition. For example,
The blind, the sick, the deaf, the poor, the rich, the young, the old, the
dead, the brave, the coward, the handicapped, the unemployed.
These expressions have a plural meaning: the blind means the blind
people or all blind people, but not the blind man. Whenever such
an expression forms the subject of a sentence, it takes a plural verb.
For example,
The
The
The
The

blind are helpless.

rich are selfish.
poor are hungry.
unemployed are restless.

Rule 39
Some of the nationality words ending in -sh or -ch or -ese can also be
used with a definite article as given below:
The British, The English, The French, The Irish, The Dutch
These expressions are plural : The British means all (the) British
people. When the subject of a sentence is one such expression it
takes a plural verb. For example,

K KUNDAN
The
The
The
The

French love good food.

British have a long history.
Chinese are strong-willed.
Japanese are hard-working.

Rule 40
There can never be the subject of a verb. Hence look for the subject
after the verb in sentences beginning with there. For example,
There
There
There
There
There
There
There

is a party tonight.
are a number of meetings tomorrow.
seems no reason to question his honesty.
were ten students in our group.
are always two sides to every story.
seem to be two lions in the den.
is a book on the table.

Rule 41
In expressions where the same singular noun is joined by a preposition
(singular noun + preposition) the verb used is always singular. For
example,
Ship after ship is heading towards the shore.
Letter after letter pinpoints the need for hard-work.

258 / Rules of English Grammar and Usage

Rule 42
Than + elliptical comparative clause
He always uses more words than are necessary.
She carries with her more money than is safe to do.

In elliptical compraratives like these, the number of the noun placed

before than normally determines the number of the verb used after
than.
singular noun + than + singular verb

For example,
.....more food than is required.
plural noun + than + plural verb

For example,
.....more teachers than are required.

Rule 43
In the expressions as regards, as concerns, as follows the verb
(regard/concern/follow) is always singular (ie regards/concerns/
follows). For example,
The report is as follows.....
The rates are as follows.....
(not, The quotations are as follow.)

K KUNDAN
Rule 44

The following/The undesigned can be used as a substitute for a

noun. The concord is governed by the number of its referent. For
example,
The
The
(for
The
The
(for

following is the weather report.

undersigned requests the students....
example, the principal of the college)
following are the new rates.
undersigned request the students...
example, the principal and the staff)

Note: The expressions the former and the latter also behave in a
similar way.

Rule 45
A relative pronoun as subject takes a singular verb when the
antecedent is singular but it takes a plural verb when the antecedent
is plural. For example,
I have read the book that is on the table.
I have not read the books that are on the shelf.
God helps those who help themselves.

Construction I: One of + plural pronoun/noun (antecedent) + relative

pronun

Concord (Syntax or subject and verb Agreement) / 259

In this construction the antecedent is always plural so the relative
pronoun takes a plural verb. For example,
He is one of those who do what they say.
She is one of the women who have sacrificed everything for their
children.

Construction II: It is + noun/pronoun (antecedent) + relative pronoun

In this construction the antecedent is the noun/pronoun placed after
the verb be. The antecedent is not It. So the relative pronoun agrees
in number/person with the noun or pronoun, not with the empty It.
For example,
It is I who have made this film.
It is he who has stolen my car.
It is they who create all kinds of problems.

Note: If the antecedent of the relative pronoun is the objective case

pronoun me, the verb agrees with a third person singular subject.
For example,
It is me who is to suffer.

Rule 46
In spite of the number of terms on either side, mathematical
equations like the following take verbs required by third person singular
subjects. For example,

K KUNDAN
(a+b)2 = a2+b2+2ab is one of the basic formulas (formulae) in Algebra.
His contention was that a (x+y)2 = 50 was valid for every case.

Rule 47
If a sentence begins with the pronoun I and is positive, the verb in
the question tag is are. For example,
I am really tall, arent I?
I am really a scholar, arent I?

But if the sentence is negative or if the verb is in the past tense

form, the verb in the question tag agrees with I. For example,
I am not wrong, am I?
I was frightened, wasnt I?

Rule 48
If the subject of a sentence is a clause, the verb is singular. For
example,
What he does these days doesnt concern me.
Whether a book will sell depends on how good it is.
That she is still alive is good news.

260 / Rules of English Grammar and Usage

Rule 49
If the subject of a sentence, however, is a complex of co-ordinate
clauses, the verb is plural. For example,
What I say and what I do are no business of yours.
Whether you should get married now or whether you should remain
single all your life are your personal problems.

Rule 50
In sentences like the following, the verb agrees with the notional
subject of the noun clause operating as the subject of the sentence.
For example,
What was once a huge castle is nothing but piles of rubble.
What were once beautiful houses are now nothing but piles of rubble.

Rule 51
If one of the two subjects is negative (in the sense that it begins with
a negative word) and the other one is positive, the verb agrees with
the positive subject. Even if the negative subject is nearer the verb.
For example,
Not
this
The
this

the Defence Minister, but the two generals deserve a reward for
victory.
two generals, but not the defence Minister, deserve a reward for
victory.

K KUNDAN

Such sentences are, however, not entirely acceptable to some people

and should therefore be rewritten as follows:
The two generals deserve a reward for this victory but the Defence
Minister does not.

Rule 52
In the construction collective noun + of + plural noun, a singular collective
noun+of+noun is used as a unit to denote a single undivided group of
people or things. For example, see the following phrases:
a batch of
a bunch of
a band of
a chain of
a class of
a crowd of
a fleet of
a gang of
a galaxy of
a group of
a herd/a flock of
a pack/packet of
a set of
a series of
a team of
In sentences like these the verb is singular because the number of
the verb is determined by the singular collective noun, and not by the
plural noun placed after of. For example,
A
A
A
A
A
A

band of musicians has come.

bunch of keys/grapes is lying on the table.
series of accidents has taken place.
team of doctors has been called in.
herd of cattle is in the field.
set of bangles has been purchased.

Concord (Syntax or subject and verb Agreement) / 261

Rule 53
Some of the collective nouns take the verb in the singular or in the
plural according as the speaker thinks of the thing as a single whole
or of the individuals of which it is composed.
Class
Cabinet Committee
Board
Army
Jury
Mob
Government Team
For example,
The
The
The
The
The
The
The
The

team (as a unit) is winning.

team (as individuals) are fighting for a win.
class (as a unit) is marching into the hall.
class (as individuals) are debating this point.
jury (as a single body) has given its verdict.
jury (as individuals) were discussing this point.
committee (as a single body) has issued its report.
committee (as individuals) are divided in their opinion.

Rule 54
Certain nouns, though singular in form, are used as plural and they
usually take plural verb. For example,
Cattle
Clergy
Poultry Public
For example,

Gentry
Swine

People
Vermin

Police

K KUNDAN
The
The
The
The
The

cattle are grazing in the field.

landed gentry were once all in all.
public were moved by this spectacle.
clergy were unanimous in their opinion.
vermin are harmful.

Note: People is used both in singular and plural when it means a

nation. For example,
The Americans are a simple and brave people.
Many different peoples live in Asia.

Rule 55
The following nouns are used only in the singular form and the verb
that follows them is also singular. For example,
abuse, advice, alarm, alphabet, bread, brick, clothing, folk, furniture, gossip,
hair, information, issue, luggage, offspring, poetry, scenery, thunder etc.
For example,
The scenery of Darjeeling is very beautiful. (Correct)
The sceneries of Darjeeling are very beautiful. (Incorrect)
Their information is based on facts. (Correct)
Their informations are based on facts. (Incorrect)
All my furniture has been burnt. (Correct)
All my furnitures have been burnt. (Incorrect)

262 / Rules of English Grammar and Usage

Your hair has turned white. (Correct)
Your hairs have turned white. (Incorrect)
His luggage has been packed. (Correct)
His luggages have been packed. (Incorrect)

Note: When more than one languages is spoken of, the plural of
alphabet is alphabets. When abuse is used in the sense of wrong
use, the plural is abuses. When issue means result its plural is
issues.

Rule 56
The word majority can be singular or plural. However, if it is followed
by a plural noun, it is always plural. For example,
The majority believe/believes that the country can progress.
The majority of the lecturers believe that the student has not copied in
the examination.

Rule 57
If the subject of a sentence is one of the following:
barracks, headquarters, whereabouts etc the verb can be either
singular or plural. For example,
The headquarters of the UNO is/are New York.
His present whereabouts is/are not known.

K KUNDAN
Rule 58

In sports while referring to the players, the name of the country is

followed by plural verb. For example,
England have won the World Cup.
India have won the match by three goals to one.
Australia have lost the Test Match by six wickets.

Rule 59
When the word enemy is used in the sense of armed forces of a
nation with which ones country is at war, we have to use the plural
verb. For example,
The enemy were forced to retreat.

Rule 60
Names of diseases like measles, mumps and shingles take a
singular verb although they have an s at the end. For example,
Measles is not a fatal disease.
These days mumps is not at all difficult to cure.
Shingles is a disease in which the patient develops lots of inflamed
spots round the waist.

Concord (Syntax or subject and verb Agreement) / 263

Rule 61
When data means facts it is used as a plural noun but when it
means a body of facts, it is used as a singular noun. For example,
The data are now ready for computation.
The data is now ready for computation.

Rule 62
(i) Statistics can be used in such a way as to mean a branch of
knowledge. In such cases it takes a verb required by third person
singular subjects. But in certain cases it can mean facts in numbers.
In such cases it takes a plural verb. For example,
Statistics is a very useful subject.
The available statistics indicate that the population of the world will
double in about 30 years.

(ii) If acoustics means the science of sound, it takes a verb required

by third person singular subjects. But it takes a plural verb if it refers
to the properties of a hall which make it good or bad for hearing
speeches, music etc. For example,
Acoustics is a branch of physics.
The acoustics of that new hall are excellent.

K KUNDAN

(iii) Similarly, in their usual sense, mathematics and economics

take singular ve rbs. But some time s, mathe matics me ans
mathematical calculation and economics means economic fact or
financial considerations. In such case s mathematics and
economics take plural verbs. For example,
Mathematics is the queen of all sciences.
If my mathematics are correct, the total ground area of this big house is
1255 square feet.
Economics is a very useful subject.
What are the economics of such a project?