Language game to teach concord/agreement.

1. GRADE 11
CONCORD / AGREEMENT
BETWEEN SUBJECT AND VERB

2. VERB + SUBJECT
• In the last lesson you learnt that verbs describe action
and existence, or doing and being.
• You also learnt that conjugating the verb ‘to be’ depends
on the noun it is referring to: is, are, am.
• I am, they are, she is…
• The subject and verb must agree in number and person:
• singular subject = singular verb
• plural subject = plural verb
• The dog (singular) is barking.
• The dogs (plural) are barking.
• MATCH THE VERB TO THE SUBJECT

3. TAKE NOTE
• Two or more nouns or pronouns joined by ‘and’, the verb
is plural:
• You and I are friends. (Not: You and I is friends!)
• You and I were friends. (Not: You and I was friends!)
• You and I have friends. (Not: You and I has friends!)
• When the subject consists of two nouns, but mean ONE
thing (single unit), the subject is singular:
• Bacon and eggs is her favourite breakfast.
• Bangers and mash is delicious!

4. • When two subjects are joined by with, or as well as, the
verb agrees with the first one:
• The hen, with the chicks, is lost.
• The chicks, as well as the hen, are lost.
• Two subjects joined by either… or, neither… nor, or or, the verb
agrees with the subject nearest to it:
• eg Neither the pupils nor the teacher is disappointed.
• Neither the driver nor the passengers were hurt.
• The leader or his friends are to blame.

5. • Indefinite pronouns are usually followed by a singular verb:
each, every, everyone, everybody, no one, nobody, nothing,
neither, something, somebody, everything, anyone, anything:
• Everybody is invited to the party.
• Everyone of you has done your share.
• Collective nouns take a singular verb, unless the collective noun
is plural:
• The swarm of bees was aggressive.
• The flocks of birds were impressive in their migrations
through the various weather conditions.

6. LET’S PLAY
• Team 1 : the left half of the class, give yourselves a name
• Team 2 : the right half of the class, give yourselves a name
• Team 1 goes first, followed by team 2, etc.
• Roll the dice and you get the score on the dice if you
answer correctly. Everyone in each team gets to have ONE
turn each, no repeats unless everyone has already had a
turn.
• If you throw a FOUR, your previous score is handed over to
the opposing team.

7. QUESTION ONE :
TEAM 1 PLAYER ROLL THE DICE
• A large heap of stones (was, were) found in the grass.
• A large heap of stones WAS found in the grass.
QUESTION TWO :
TEAM 2 PLAYER ROLL THE DICE
• Neither you nor your friends (is, are) welcome in the
restaurant.
• Neither you nor your friends ARE welcome in the
restaurant.

8. QUESTION ONE :
TEAM 1 PLAYER ROLL THE DICE
• A number of prisoners (was, were) caught trying to
escape.
• A number of prisoners WERE caught trying to escape.
QUESTION TWO :
TEAM 2 PLAYER ROLL THE DICE
• Neither the runners nor the organiser (has, have) had
lunch.
• Neither the runners nor the organiser HAS had lunch.

9. QUESTION ONE :
TEAM 1 PLAYER ROLL THE DICE
• The dogs with the trainer (is, are) well disciplined.
• The dogs with the trainer ARE well disciplined.
QUESTION TWO :
TEAM 2 PLAYER ROLL THE DICE
• Either the school board or the teachers (is, are) to take
responsibility.
• Either the school board or the teachers ARE to take
responsibility.

10. QUESTION ONE :
TEAM 1 PLAYER ROLL THE DICE
• Measles (is, are) a dangerous disease.
• Measles IS a dangerous disease.
QUESTION TWO :
TEAM 2 PLAYER ROLL THE DICE
• Climbing a flight of stairs (is, are) heavy going.
• Climbing a flight of stairs IS heavy going.

11. QUESTION ONE :
TEAM 1 PLAYER ROLL THE DICE
• A group of teenagers (is/are) planning a trip to the Orange
River.
• A group of teenagers IS planning a trip to the Orange River.
QUESTION TWO :
TEAM 2 PLAYER ROLL THE DICE
• Neither of us (is/are) afraid of this responsibility.
• Neither of us IS afraid of this responsibility.

12. QUESTION ONE :
TEAM 1 PLAYER ROLL THE DICE
• Roger and I (has/have) been invited to lead this
excursion.
• Roger and I HAVE been invited to lead this excursion.
QUESTION TWO :
TEAM 2 PLAYER ROLL THE DICE
• The cost of the canoes (are/is) expensive.
• The cost of the canoes IS expensive.

13. QUESTION ONE :
TEAM 1 PLAYER ROLL THE DICE
• Every one of the boys (has/have) passed (his/their) First Aid
Examination.
• Every one of the boys HAS passed HIS First Aid Examination.
QUESTION TWO :
TEAM 2 PLAYER ROLL THE DICE
• One (have/has) to make sure that (his/one’s) kit is correct
and up to standard.
• One HAS to make sure that ONE’S kit is correct and up to
standard.

14. QUESTION ONE :
TEAM 1 PLAYER ROLL THE DICE
• Every boy (is/are) looking forward to water-rafting with (their/his)
friends on the Orange River.
• Every boy IS looking forward to water-rafting with HIS friends on
the Orange River.
QUESTION TWO :
TEAM 2 PLAYER ROLL THE DICE
• All the boys (is/are) expected to do (their/his) best.
• All the boys ARE expected to do THEIR best.

15. QUESTION ONE :
TEAM 1 PLAYER ROLL THE DICE
• Fish and chips (are/is) a special treat for these rafters.
• Fish and chips IS a special treat for these rafters.
QUESTION TWO :
TEAM 2 PLAYER ROLL THE DICE
• My brother and sister (is/are) coming for a visit.
• My brother and sister ARE coming for a visit.

16. QUESTION ONE :
TEAM 1 PLAYER ROLL THE DICE
• No-one should eat (their/his) dinner after 8pm.
• No-one should eat his dinner after 8pm
QUESTION TWO :
TEAM 2 PLAYER ROLL THE DICE
• Everyone is cycling (their/his) own bicycle.
• Everyone is cycling HIS own bicycle.

17. QUESTION ONE :
TEAM 1 PLAYER ROLL THE DICE
• Everyone is doing (his/their) best.
• Everyone is doing HIS best.
QUESTION TWO :
TEAM 2 PLAYER ROLL THE DICE
• No-one may hand in (his/their) work late.
• No-one may hand in HIS work late.

18. QUESTION ONE :
TEAM 1 PLAYER ROLL THE DICE
• Neither the choir nor the priest (are/is) singing the hymn.
• Neither the choir nor the priest IS singing the hymn.
QUESTION TWO :
TEAM 2 PLAYER ROLL THE DICE
• Neither the pilot nor the stewards (were/was) on time.
• Neither the pilot nor the stewards WERE on time.