English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
Concepts and their Agreements
Sometimes, concepts that appear to language users as singular entities attract plural verbs and plural pronouns.
This is my premises and it is out of bounds to all of you (nonstandard).
These are my premises and they are out of bounds to all of you (standard).
My uncle’s remains has been taken to our village (nonstandard).
My uncle’s remains have been taken to our village (standard).
Your surroundings is always dirty; you have to keep it clean (nonstandard).
Your surroundings are always dirty; you have to keep them clean.
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