2.1 Subject-Verb Agreement, Inverted Sentences, and Parallel Structure

Subject-Verb Agreement, Inverted Sentences, and Parallel Structure

Grammar and correct usage appear in the official verbal scope. This lesson teaches agreement and parallelism through original administrative examples. The examples illustrate grammar rules; they do not reproduce or predict official examination items.

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Intervening Phrases and Parenthetical Modifiers

The fundamental rule of subject-verb agreement states that a verb must agree with its subject in number (singular or plural) and person. In formal administrative writing, the subject is often separated from the verb by lengthy modifiers.

Phrases introduced by compound prepositions or parenthetical expressions do not compound the subject. These include:

• along with
• as well as
• together with
• in addition to
• accompanied by
• including / excluding
• no less than

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Compound Subjects: Semantic Unity vs. Plurality

Subjects joined by and generally take a plural verb. A singular verb can be appropriate when the words name one entity or a clearly unified concept; context determines that interpretation.

1. Single Conceptual Entity: When two nouns joined by and express a single combined idea, practice, or legal concept, the verb is singular.
   • Peace and order is the primary prerequisite for economic diplomacy. (Single collective condition)
   • The drafting and dissemination of the note verbale was handled by the protocol division. (Unified administrative process)
2. Singular Referent with Single Determiner: When two occupational or diplomatic titles joined by and refer to the exact same individual (indicated by a single article or possessive pronoun), the verb is singular.
   • The chief negotiator and legal counsel has presented the draft. (One person holding both functions)
   • The chief negotiator and the legal counsel have presented the draft. (Two distinct individuals, indicated by the repeated article the)

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Correlative Conjunctions and the Proximity Rule

When subjects are joined by correlative conjunctions—either...or, neither...nor, not only...but also—the verb agrees with the closer subject element (the principle of proximity).

Neither [Subject A] nor [Subject B] + Verb (agrees with Subject B)

• Neither the Undersecretary nor the consular officers were apprised of the security advisory.
• Neither the consular officers nor the Undersecretary was apprised of the security advisory.
• Not only the bilateral treaty but also the supplementary protocols require legislative concurrence.

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Collective Nouns: Syntactic Unity vs. Individual Action

Collective nouns name groups. Usage varies by dialect and emphasis: American English generally treats the group as singular, while British English more readily uses plural agreement for the members. In formal writing, use a consistent pattern or write “the committee members” when individual actions are intended.

• Unit emphasized: The delegation has submitted its memorandum.
• Members emphasized: The delegation members have disagreed about the wording.
• In varieties allowing plural collective agreement, the delegation have disagreed can also be natural. Avoid presenting dialect variation as a universal official testing rule.

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Indefinite Pronouns and the SANAM Rule

Indefinite pronouns are categorized into three distinct operational groups:

1. Always Singular

Each, every, either, neither, one, everyone, everybody, someone, somebody, no one, nobody, anyone, anybody.

• Each of the bilateral pacts contains a dispute-settlement clause. (The prepositional phrase of the bilateral pacts does not alter the singular nature of each).
• Neither of the submitted declarations meets the statutory standard.

2. Always Plural

Both, few, fewer, many, others, several.

• Several of the career diplomats have served as resident ambassadors.

3. Variable Indefinite Pronouns (SANAM)

The acronym SANAM designates pronouns whose number often follows the number and meaning of the following noun phrase:

• Some
• All
• None
• Any
• Most

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Inverted Sentences: Prepositional, Locative, and Negative Openers

In standard English word order, the subject precedes the verb. However, formal administrative and literary English frequently utilizes inversion, placing the predicate or auxiliary verb before the subject.

Prepositional and Locative Inversion

When a sentence begins with a prepositional or directional phrase, the verb must agree with the delayed subject that follows it, not with the noun in the introductory phrase.

• Faulty: Beneath the administrative annex of the embassy stands three secure communication consoles.
• Correct: Beneath the administrative annex of the embassy stand three secure communication consoles. (Subject is consoles, plural; verb is stand).
• Correct: Under the purview of the bilateral accord lies an unresolved maritime boundary. (Subject is boundary, singular; verb is lies).

Negative and Restrictive Adverbial Inversion

When sentences begin with negative or restrictive adverbs (rarely, seldom, hardly, scarcely, under no circumstances, not only), the subject and auxiliary verb invert:

• Rarely has the Department experienced such intricate multilateral gridlock.
• Under no circumstances are diplomatic staff permitted to disclose non-public cables.

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Parallel Structure in Diplomatic and Administrative Drafting

Parallelism requires that coordinate elements—ideas of equal grammatical rank—be expressed in identical syntactic structures. Faulty parallelism weakens administrative arguments and introduces legal ambiguity into treaties.

Non-Parallel: Verb Phrase + Gerund + Noun Phrase
Parallel:     Verb Phrase + Verb Phrase + Verb Phrase

1. Parallelism in Series

All items in a list or series joined by coordinating conjunctions (and, or, but) must share the same grammatical form:

• Faulty: The attaché was tasked with reviewing the dispatches, to summarize the daily press, and the coordination of the minister's schedule.
• Correct: The attaché was tasked with reviewing the dispatches, summarizing the daily press, and coordinating the minister's schedule. (All gerund phrases)

2. Parallelism with Correlative Conjunctions

The grammatical structure following the first correlative element must mirror the structure following the second element:

• Faulty: The delegation decided not only to submit the proposed amendment but also withdrew their initial reservation.
• Correct: The delegation decided not only to submit the proposed amendment but also to withdraw their initial reservation. (Parallel infinitive phrases)

3. Parallelism in Formal Clauses and Preambles

In diplomatic drafting (such as United Nations resolutions or ASEAN communiqués), preambular and operative clauses maintain parallel syntax through consistent introductory forms:

• Recognizing the imperative of regional stability,
• Reaffirming their commitment to the Charter, and
• Resolving to settle all maritime disputes peacefully...

Usage reference: Cambridge Grammar for English Language Teachers, collective nouns.