English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
ONE RULE A DAY: RELATIVE CONCORD
One of them who lives here has travelled (nonstandard).
One of them who live here has travelled (standard).
Solution/detachment
They live here.
One has travelled.
One of them who live here has travelled.
A number of people who eats rice also eat beans (nonstandard).
A number of people who eat rice also eat beans (standard).
Detachment/solution
People eat rice.
They also eat beans.
A number of people who eat rice also eat beans.
Note: When relative pronouns such as who and whose are used to refer to a noun or pronoun occurring before them, the verb immediately after the relative pronoun is controlled by the noun or pronoun that the relative pronoun refers backward to. If there is any other verb in the sentence, it will be controlled by any other noun occurring in the subject position of the sentence. If there is none, the same noun before the relative pronoun will control both verbs.
Now, put yourself to the test: detach and supply the appropriate verbs for the sentences below.
- None of their relatives who _ on holiday _ insulted me (come have, come has, comes have, comes has).
- The man who _ English also _ columns (teaches write, teaches writes, teach write, teach writes).
- A number of scholars who _ abroad _ for research (travel go, travel goes, travels go, travels goes).
GAB
