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[1] The noise distracts them. [2] The noises distract them.
From the examples above, [1] the noise is the singular subject that is followed by verb –s form. For the second example, [2] the plural subject the noises is followed
by the base form.
a. Concord of Number
Langan 1996 states that in this concord number, a verb must agree with its subject in the sentence. In this case, a singular subject one person or thing
should be followed by a singular verb, while a plural subject more than one person or thing should be followed by a plural verb p. 338, for example:
[3] The girl writes a letter. [4] Daniel is an artist.
[5] My friends go to Jakarta. [6] The boys in this class are taller than the girls.
From the examples above, the subjects in sentences [3] and [4] are singular so it is followed by a singular verb. Meanwhile, the subjects in the sentences [5] and [6]
are plural so that it must be followed by a plural verb. Langan 1996 also states when words come between the subject and the
verb in a sentence, subject-verb agreement does not change p. 338. [7] A boy with glasses drinks a mineral water.
[8] The students in the class give a birthday present to their English
teacher.
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The subject boy in [7] is singular, so it should be followed by a singular verb, while subject in sentence [8], students, is plural, so that it would be followed by a
plural verb. Langan 1996 also adds in order to make it become easier, learners should cross out the prepositional phrases to find out the subject p. 338, for
example A boy with glasses drinks a mineral water. In addition, Langan 1996 states that a verb must agree with its subject
even when the verb comes before the subject p. 339. Langan 1996 also provides some words that may precede the subject, namely there, here, in
questions, who, which, what, and where. [9] There are four children in the car.
[10] Here is the card. [11] Where are your books?
Furthermore, Langan 1996 mentions when subjects in a sentence are joined by either…or, neither…nor, not only…but also, the verb must agree with
the subject that is closer to the verb p. 340. The examples can be seen as follows:
[12] Either my father or my mom likes to sing the old song. [13] Neither Andrew nor his friends know the right answer.
In sentence [12], the closest subject is my mom which is singular, so it is followed by a singular verb likes. Meanwhile, in sentence [13] the closest subject is his
friends which is plural, it means that the plural subject his friends should be followed by a plural verb know.
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Besides, Langan 1996 adds if subjects in a sentence are joined by and, they would be followed by a plural verb p. 340. The examples are:
[14] Desya, Clarina, and Rio are very smart students in the class. [15] The shirt, the skirt, and the hat are new.
In addition, Greenbaum 1989 states if and is not present in a sentence, the subject is still decided as plural p. 211.
[16] Desya, Clarina, Rio are very smart students in the class. [17] The shirt, the skirt, the hat are new.
However, Greenbaum 1989 also states if the noun phrases are introduced by every or each, the subjects are considered singular p. 211.
[18] Every man and every woman has the same right. [19] Each girl and each boy in the seventh-grade is a great student.
b. Concord of Person
