Lesson 2    Subject-verb Concord (I)

2.1 Guiding principles

   1) Grammatical concord

   2) Notional concord

   3) Proximity

2.2 Problems of concord with nouns ending in -s

Disease and game names ending in –s

      They are mostly treated as singulars.

          A few such names can be used either as singular or as plural.

Subject names ending in –ics

          Such names are generally singular nouns, but some such nouns are treated as plural when used in other senses than subject names.

Geographical names ending in –s

      Plural except for a few treated as singular when used as country names.

4)   Other nouns ending in –s

 

Disease and game names ending in –s

      They are mostly treated as singulars.

          A few such names can be used either as singular or as plural.

Measles, mumps, rickets, shingles, diabetes, arthritis, phlebitis, AIDS, etc.

Subject names ending in –ics

          Such names are generally singular nouns, but some such nouns are treated as plural when used in other senses than subject names.

      Acoustics, classics, electronics, informatics, linguistics, mechanics, optics, plastics, thermodynamics, etc.

 

Geographical names ending in –s

      Plural except for a few treated as singular when used as country names.

  

Other nouns ending in –s

   Calipers, compasses, flares, forceps, glasses, jeans, pants, pincers, pliers, scales, scissors, shades, shorts, suspenders, spectacles, etc.

2.3 problems of concord with collective nouns as subject

1) Collective nouns usually used as plural

       People, police, cattle, militia, poultry, vermin, etc.

2) Collective nouns usually used as singular

       Foliage, cutlery, poetry, machinery, equipment, furniture, merchandise, etc.

3) Collective nouns used either as plural or as singular

       Couple, crew, government, majority, opposition ,etc

4) A committee, etc + plural noun

       A committee / board / panel of

 

练习题：

Choose an acceptable verb form from the two given in brackets according to the standard of formal writing:

1.       Their earnings (comes come) to 500 dollars a week.

2.       Where (is, are) the shears?

3.       Tiding (has, have) come that the British warship was sunk.

4.       Your suspenders (is, are) not here.

5.       Mr. Stevenson’s morals (is, are) above criticism.

6.       The archives (is, are) not open to the public.

7.       The remains of a Roman settlement (was, were) found beneath the brewery.

8.       It seems the cattle on the sides of the dykes (was, were) the only living creatures in these desolate surroundings.

9.       The football team (is, are) being organized.

10.   The football team (is, are) having baths and (is, are) then coming here for tea.

11.   Can you see that huge flock of birds in the distance? (It, They) (Is, are) coming this way.

12.   The public (was, were) convinced of his innocence.

 

Keys:

1.       come

2.       are

3.       has/ have

4.       are

5.       are

6.       are

7.       was/ were

8.       were

9.       is

10.   are, are

11.   It/ They, is/ are

12.   were