Discord: Exploring Division and Fragmentation in English Grammar

Understanding the concept of discord, the opposite of unity, is crucial in mastering English grammar. Discord manifests in various forms, from disagreement in subject-verb relationships to inconsistencies in tense and tone.

Recognizing and correcting these instances of discord is essential for clear, effective communication. This article will delve into the multifaceted nature of discord, exploring its grammatical manifestations, providing numerous examples, and offering practical exercises to help you achieve grammatical harmony.

Whether you are a student, writer, or language enthusiast, this comprehensive guide will equip you with the tools to identify and resolve discord in your writing and speech.

Introduction
Definition of Discord in Grammar
Structural Breakdown of Discord
Types of Discord
Examples of Discord
Usage Rules to Avoid Discord
Common Mistakes Leading to Discord
Practice Exercises
Advanced Topics in Discord
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion

Definition of Discord in Grammar

In grammar, discord refers to a lack of agreement or harmony between different elements of a sentence. It represents a break in the expected patterns and rules of the English language, leading to confusion or misinterpretation.

Discord can manifest in various ways, including disagreements in number, gender, tense, and tone. Essentially, any instance where grammatical elements clash rather than align can be considered discord.

This disharmony disrupts the flow of language and can significantly impact the clarity and effectiveness of communication.

Discord is not simply a matter of making a few grammatical errors; it is a fundamental breakdown in the coherence of a sentence or passage. It highlights a disconnect between the intended meaning and the actual construction of the words.

Recognizing discord is the first step toward correcting it and ensuring that your writing is grammatically sound and easily understood.

The classification of discord falls under the broader category of grammatical errors. Its function is to highlight areas where grammatical rules are violated, thereby diminishing the quality of writing.

The contexts in which discord can appear are virtually limitless, spanning all forms of written and spoken English. From simple subject-verb disagreements to complex tense inconsistencies, discord can be found in a wide range of grammatical structures.

Structural Breakdown of Discord

Understanding the structural breakdown of discord involves identifying the specific grammatical elements that are not in agreement. This often requires a careful analysis of the sentence to pinpoint the source of the disharmony.

Let’s consider several key areas where discord commonly arises.

Subject-Verb Agreement: The most basic form of discord occurs when the subject of a sentence does not agree in number with its verb. Singular subjects require singular verbs, while plural subjects require plural verbs. A common mistake is using a plural verb with a singular subject, or vice versa. For example, “The cat are sleeping” is incorrect because “cat” is singular and requires the singular verb “is.”

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement: A pronoun must agree in number and gender with its antecedent (the noun it refers to). If the antecedent is singular, the pronoun must also be singular. If the antecedent is plural, the pronoun must be plural. Errors occur when a plural pronoun is used to refer to a singular antecedent, or when the gender of the pronoun does not match the gender of the antecedent. For instance, “Each student should bring their own book” is incorrect. The correct sentence is “Each student should bring his or her own book” or, to avoid the awkwardness, “All students should bring their own books.”

Tense Consistency: Maintaining consistent tense throughout a sentence or paragraph is crucial for clarity. Shifting tenses unnecessarily can create confusion. If you start a narrative in the past tense, generally you should continue in the past tense unless there is a clear reason to shift to another tense. An example of tense inconsistency is: “I went to the store, and then I will buy some milk.” The correct sentence is “I went to the store, and then I bought some milk.”

Tone Consistency: Tone reflects the author’s attitude toward the subject matter. Inconsistent tone can distract the reader and undermine the message. A formal piece should maintain a formal tone throughout, while an informal piece should remain informal. Mixing formal and informal language within the same context can create discord. For example, mixing colloquialisms within a formal research paper would be an example of tone discord.

Number Agreement: This involves ensuring that quantities and amounts are expressed consistently. For example, using “less” when “fewer” is required, or vice versa. “Less” is used for uncountable nouns, while “fewer” is used for countable nouns. For instance, “There are less students in the class today” is incorrect. The correct sentence is “There are fewer students in the class today.”

Types of Discord

Discord in English grammar can be categorized into several distinct types, each reflecting a specific kind of grammatical disagreement. Understanding these categories can help you identify and correct errors more effectively.

Subject-Verb Agreement Discord

This is perhaps the most common type of grammatical discord. It occurs when the verb in a sentence does not agree in number with its subject.

Singular subjects require singular verbs, while plural subjects require plural verbs. Sentences with compound subjects or intervening phrases can be particularly prone to this type of error.

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Discord

Pronouns must agree in number, gender, and person with their antecedents (the nouns they refer to). Discord occurs when a pronoun does not match its antecedent in one or more of these categories.

This type of error can lead to confusion about who or what the pronoun is referring to.

Tense Inconsistency Discord

Maintaining consistent tense throughout a sentence, paragraph, or longer piece of writing is essential for clarity. Tense inconsistency occurs when there are unnecessary or illogical shifts in tense.

This can disrupt the flow of the narrative and confuse the reader.

Tone Inconsistency Discord

The tone of a piece of writing reflects the author’s attitude toward the subject matter and the audience. Tone inconsistency occurs when there are abrupt or jarring shifts in tone.

This can undermine the credibility of the writing and confuse the reader.

Number Agreement Discord

Number agreement involves using the correct quantifiers and descriptors for countable and uncountable nouns. Common errors include using “less” instead of “fewer” or misusing collective nouns.

This type of discord can affect the accuracy and clarity of the writing.

Examples of Discord

To illustrate the different types of grammatical discord, let’s examine a variety of examples, categorized by the type of discord they represent. Each example will be presented in both its incorrect and corrected forms.

Subject-Verb Agreement Examples

The following table provides examples of subject-verb agreement discord. Each row presents an incorrect sentence followed by its corrected version.

Incorrect	Correct
The dogs is barking loudly.	The dogs are barking loudly.
She don’t like coffee.	She doesn’t like coffee.
My family live in different cities.	My family lives in different cities.
The team are playing well tonight.	The team is playing well tonight.
Physics are a difficult subject.	Physics is a difficult subject.
There is many reasons to be happy.	There are many reasons to be happy.
Each of the students have a book.	Each of the students has a book.
Neither the cat nor the dogs is fed.	Neither the cat nor the dogs are fed.
The data is being analyzed.	The data are being analyzed.
A number of students is absent.	A number of students are absent.
The committee have not reached a decision.	The committee has not reached a decision.
Economics are an interesting subject.	Economics is an interesting subject.
The news are shocking.	The news is shocking.
Everyone are invited.	Everyone is invited.
None of the food are left.	None of the food is left.
Either John or Mary are going to the party.	Either John or Mary is going to the party.
The majority of the class are present.	The majority of the class is present.
My friend and colleague are arriving soon.	My friend and colleague is arriving soon.
The scissors is on the table.	The scissors are on the table.
The police is investigating the crime.	The police are investigating the crime.
A collection of stamps are valuable.	A collection of stamps is valuable.
The United States are a powerful country.	The United States is a powerful country.
Measles are a contagious disease.	Measles is a contagious disease.
The cost of living are rising.	The cost of living is rising.

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Examples

The following table provides examples of pronoun-antecedent agreement discord, highlighting common errors in pronoun usage.

Incorrect	Correct
Each student should bring their textbook.	Each student should bring his or her textbook. / All students should bring their textbooks.
The company announced their profits.	The company announced its profits.
Someone left their umbrella.	Someone left his or her umbrella. / People left their umbrellas.
The team celebrated their victory.	The team celebrated its victory.
Every employee must submit their timesheet.	Every employee must submit his or her timesheet. / All employees must submit their timesheets.
The dog wagged their tail.	The dog wagged its tail.
A person should always respect their elders.	A person should always respect his or her elders. / People should always respect their elders.
The government announced their new policy.	The government announced its new policy.
Each child should have their own toy.	Each child should have his or her own toy. / All children should have their own toys.
The band played their best song.	The band played its best song.
Nobody remembered their lines.	Nobody remembered his or her lines. / Nobody remembered their lines. (Acceptable in informal contexts)
The jury reached their verdict.	The jury reached its verdict.
Everyone should bring their own lunch.	Everyone should bring his or her own lunch. / All should bring their own lunch.
The corporation released their financial report.	The corporation released its financial report.
Each participant received their certificate.	Each participant received his or her certificate. / All participants received their certificates.
The class enjoyed their field trip.	The class enjoyed its field trip.
Anybody can learn if they try hard enough.	Anybody can learn if he or she tries hard enough. / Anyone can learn if they try hard enough. (Acceptable in informal contexts)
The committee presented their findings.	The committee presented its findings.
Every citizen has their rights.	Every citizen has his or her rights. / All citizens have their rights.
The orchestra tuned their instruments.	The orchestra tuned its instruments.
The family planned their vacation.	The family planned its vacation.
Each guest should choose their meal.	Each guest should choose his or her meal. / All guests should choose their meals.
The club organized their event.	The club organized its event.
Someone should clean up after themselves.	Someone should clean up after himself or herself. / People should clean up after themselves.

Tense Inconsistency Examples

The following table illustrates tense inconsistency discord with examples of incorrect and corrected sentences.

Incorrect	Correct
I went to the store, and then I will buy some milk.	I went to the store, and then I bought some milk.
She studied hard, so she passes the exam.	She studied hard, so she passed the exam.
He ate dinner and then goes to bed.	He ate dinner and then went to bed.
They played soccer, and then they will go home.	They played soccer, and then they went home.
I was walking down the street when I see a friend.	I was walking down the street when I saw a friend.
She finished her work and then will relax.	She finished her work and then relaxed.
He lived in Paris and then moves to Rome.	He lived in Paris and then moved to Rome.
They watched a movie and then will eat popcorn.	They watched a movie and then ate popcorn.
I had breakfast before I will go to work.	I had breakfast before I went to work.
She read the book and then will write a review.	She read the book and then wrote a review.
He visited the museum and then will have lunch.	He visited the museum and then had lunch.
They went to the beach and then will swim in the ocean.	They went to the beach and then swam in the ocean.
I studied for the test, so I will get a good grade.	I studied for the test, so I got a good grade.
She cooked dinner, and then she will wash the dishes.	She cooked dinner, and then she washed the dishes.
He worked hard, so he will receive a promotion.	He worked hard, so he received a promotion.
They traveled to Europe and then will visit many countries.	They traveled to Europe and then visited many countries.
I exercised this morning, so I will feel great.	I exercised this morning, so I felt great.
She practiced the piano, and then she will perform well.	She practiced the piano, and then she performed well.
He wrote a letter and then will mail it.	He wrote a letter and then mailed it.
They cleaned the house, and then they will relax.	They cleaned the house, and then they relaxed.
I watched the news, and then I will go to sleep.	I watched the news, and then I went to sleep.
She listened to music, and then she will start working.	She listened to music, and then she started working.
He read the newspaper, and then he will drink coffee.	He read the newspaper, and then he drank coffee.
They finished the project, and then they will celebrate.	They finished the project, and then they celebrated.

Tone Inconsistency Examples

The following examples illustrate tone inconsistency, showing how shifts in tone can disrupt a piece of writing.

Incorrect	Correct
The research paper meticulously examined the effects of climate change; also, it was pretty interesting, I guess.	The research paper meticulously examined the effects of climate change. The findings suggest a significant impact on global ecosystems.
The CEO delivered a serious speech about the company’s future; then, he cracked a totally lame joke.	The CEO delivered a serious speech about the company’s future. His message emphasized the challenges and opportunities ahead.
The formal invitation requested elegant attire; but hey, wear whatever, no biggie.	The formal invitation requested elegant attire. Guests are encouraged to dress in formal evening wear.
The scientific report analyzed the data with rigorous methods; it was, like, super complicated, you know?	The scientific report analyzed the data with rigorous methods. The analysis employed advanced statistical techniques.
The eulogy was a heartfelt tribute to the deceased; also, he was a cool dude, lol.	The eulogy was a heartfelt tribute to the deceased. His kindness and generosity will be remembered by all who knew him.
The legal document outlined the terms of the agreement; basically, it’s a contract, duh.	The legal document outlined the terms of the agreement. This document constitutes a legally binding contract between the parties.
The academic lecture discussed complex philosophical concepts; it was, like, totally mind-blowing, man.	The academic lecture discussed complex philosophical concepts. The lecture explored the intricacies of existentialism.
The formal complaint detailed the issues with the product; and it sucked, big time.	The formal complaint detailed the issues with the product. The product failed to meet the advertised specifications.
The wedding vows were a solemn promise of love; also, we’re gonna party hard tonight!	The wedding vows were a solemn promise of love. The couple pledged their lifelong commitment to each other.
The business proposal presented a detailed financial forecast; basically, we’re gonna make tons of cash.	The business proposal presented a detailed financial forecast. The forecast projects significant revenue growth over the next five years.

Number Agreement Examples

The following table provides examples of number agreement discord, focusing on the correct usage of “fewer” and “less,” as well as collective nouns.

Incorrect	Correct
There are less students in the class today.	There are fewer students in the class today.
I have less problems than you.	I have fewer problems than you.
She drank less cups of coffee this morning.	She drank fewer cups of coffee this morning.
He made less mistakes on the test.	He made fewer mistakes on the test.
There are less cars on the road today.	There are fewer cars on the road today.
I have less books than my sister.	I have fewer books than my sister.
She spent less dollars on groceries.	She spent fewer dollars on groceries.
He ate less cookies than I did.	He ate fewer cookies than I did.
There are less opportunities available now.	There are fewer opportunities available now.
I have less reasons to be happy.	I have fewer reasons to be happy.
The team are celebrating their victory.	The team is celebrating its victory.
The family are going their separate ways.	The family is going its separate way.
The committee have different opinions.	The committee has different opinions.
The audience were applauding loudly.	The audience was applauding loudly.
The staff are working hard to meet the deadline.	The staff is working hard to meet the deadline.

Usage Rules to Avoid Discord

To avoid grammatical discord and ensure clarity in your writing, follow these usage rules:

Subject-Verb Agreement: Ensure that the verb agrees in number with its subject. Singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs. Pay close attention to compound subjects and intervening phrases.
Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement: Make sure that pronouns agree in number, gender, and person with their antecedents. If the antecedent is singular, the pronoun must also be singular. If the antecedent is plural, the pronoun must be plural. Be mindful of gender-neutral language.
Tense Consistency: Maintain consistent tense throughout a sentence, paragraph, or longer piece of writing. Avoid unnecessary or illogical shifts in tense. If you start in the past tense, generally continue in the past tense.
Tone Consistency: Maintain a consistent tone throughout your writing. Avoid abrupt or jarring shifts in tone. Choose a tone that is appropriate for your subject matter and audience.
Number Agreement: Use the correct quantifiers and descriptors for countable and uncountable nouns. Use “fewer” for countable nouns and “less” for uncountable nouns. Ensure that collective nouns are treated consistently.

Common Mistakes Leading to Discord

Several common mistakes can lead to grammatical discord. Being aware of these errors can help you avoid them in your own writing.

Ignoring Intervening Phrases: Intervening phrases can sometimes obscure the relationship between a subject and its verb, leading to subject-verb agreement errors. For example: “The box of chocolates are on the table” (incorrect). The correct sentence is “The box of chocolates is on the table.”
Misusing Collective Nouns: Collective nouns (e.g., team, family, committee) can be either singular or plural, depending on whether they are acting as a unit or as individual members. Misusing collective nouns can lead to number agreement errors. For example: “The team are playing well” (incorrect if the team is acting as a unit).
Overgeneralizing Pronoun Usage: Using “they” as a singular pronoun can lead to pronoun-antecedent agreement errors, especially in formal writing. While increasingly accepted in informal contexts, it is generally best to use “he or she” or rephrase the sentence to avoid the issue. For example: “Each student should bring their book” (incorrect in formal writing).
Failing to Proofread Carefully: Many instances of discord are simply the result of carelessness. Proofreading your work carefully can help you catch these errors before they make their way into the final product.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of grammatical discord with these practice exercises. Identify and correct the errors in each sentence.

Exercise 1: Subject-Verb Agreement

Question	Answer
1. The books on the shelf is old.	1. The books on the shelf are old.
2. She don’t like to dance.	2. She doesn’t like to dance.
3. My family live in New York.	3. My family lives in New York.
4. The team are playing well.	4. The team is playing well.
5. There is many reasons to be happy.	5. There are many reasons to be happy.
6. Each of the students have a pencil.	6. Each of the students has a pencil.
7. Neither John nor Mary are going.	7. Neither John nor Mary is going.
8. A number of students is absent.	8. A number of students are absent.
9. The committee have made a decision.	9. The committee has made a decision.
10. Everyone are invited to the party.	10. Everyone is invited to the party.

Exercise 2: Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Question	Answer
1. Each student should bring their own lunch.	1. Each student should bring his or her own lunch.
2. The company announced their new policy.	2. The company announced its new policy.
3. Someone left their umbrella in the office.	3. Someone left his or her umbrella in the office.
4. Every employee must submit their timesheet by Friday.	4. Every employee must submit his or her timesheet by Friday.
5. The dog wagged their tail excitedly.	5. The dog wagged its tail excitedly.
6. A person should always respect their elders.	6. A person should always respect his or her elders.
7. The government announced their plans for the economy.	7. The government announced its plans for the economy.
8. Each child should have their own set of toys.	8. Each child should have his or her own set of toys.
9. The band played their most popular song.	9. The band played its most popular song.
10. Nobody remembered their lines during the play.	10. Nobody remembered his or her lines during the play.

Exercise 3: Tense Inconsistency

Question	Answer
1. I went to the store, and then I will buy milk.	1. I went to the store, and then I bought milk.
2. She studies hard, so she passes the exam easily.	2. She studied hard, so she passed the exam easily.
3. He eats dinner and then goes to bed early.	3. He ate dinner and then went to bed early.
4. They played soccer, and then they will go home.	4. They played soccer, and then they went home.
5. I was walking down the street when I see my friend.	5. I was walking down the street when I saw my friend.
6. She finished her work, and then she will relax.	6. She finished her work, and then she relaxed.
7. He lived in Paris and then moves to Rome.	7. He lived in Paris and then moved to Rome.
8. They watched a movie, and then they will eat popcorn.	8. They watched a movie, and then they ate popcorn.
9. I had breakfast before I will go to work.	9. I had breakfast before I went to work.
10. She read the book and then will write a review.	10. She read the book and then wrote a review.

Advanced Topics in Discord

For advanced learners, understanding the nuances of grammatical discord can extend to more complex areas, such as:

Subject-Verb Agreement with Inverted Sentences: In sentences where the subject follows the verb, ensuring agreement can be tricky. For example, “There is a cat on the roof” vs. “There are cats on the roof.”
Pronoun Agreement with Collective Nouns: Collective nouns can sometimes refer to a group as a whole, and other times to the individual members of the group. This can affect pronoun agreement. For example, “The team celebrated its victory” (team as a unit) vs. “The team celebrated their individual achievements” (team as individual members).
Tense Consistency in Complex Narratives: Maintaining tense consistency in narratives that involve flashbacks, foreshadowing, or multiple timelines can be challenging. Careful planning and attention to detail are essential.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about grammatical discord:

What is the difference between subject-verb agreement and pronoun-antecedent agreement?
Subject-verb agreement refers to the agreement in number between the subject of a sentence and its verb. Pronoun-antecedent agreement refers to the agreement in number, gender, and person between a pronoun and its antecedent (the noun it refers to). Both types of agreement are essential for grammatical correctness.
Why is tense consistency important?
Tense consistency is important because it helps to maintain clarity and coherence in writing. Unnecessary or illogical shifts in tense can confuse the reader and disrupt the flow of the narrative.
What are collective nouns, and how do they affect agreement?
Collective nouns are nouns that refer to a group of individuals or things (e.g., team, family, committee). They can be either singular or plural, depending on whether they are acting as a unit or as individual members. This can affect both subject-verb agreement and pronoun-antecedent agreement. If the collective noun is acting as a unit, it takes a singular verb and pronoun. If it is acting as individual members, it takes a plural verb and pronoun.
How can I avoid tone inconsistency in my writing?
To avoid tone inconsistency, start by identifying the intended tone of your writing. Choose a tone that is appropriate for your subject matter and audience. Maintain that tone throughout your writing, avoiding abrupt or jarring shifts. Be mindful of your word choice and sentence structure, as these can both affect the tone of your writing. Proofread your work carefully to identify and correct any instances of tone inconsistency.
What is the best way to address gender-neutral pronoun usage?
There are several ways to address gender-neutral pronoun usage. One option is to use “he or she” or “his or her.” Another option is to rephrase the sentence to avoid the need for a gendered pronoun. A third option is to use the singular “they,” which is increasingly accepted in informal contexts. When using the singular “they,” be sure to maintain agreement with the verb (e.g., “Everyone is bringing their lunch”).
Are there any exceptions to the rules of grammatical agreement?
Yes, there are some exceptions to the rules of grammatical agreement. For example, some nouns that appear to be plural are actually singular (e.g., news, mathematics). These nouns take

a singular verb. Additionally, the rules of agreement can be more flexible in informal contexts.

Conclusion

Mastering the concept of grammatical concord, and avoiding discord, is crucial for effective communication. By understanding the different types of discord, recognizing common mistakes, and following usage rules, you can ensure that your writing is clear, coherent, and grammatically sound.

Practice the exercises provided, pay attention to advanced topics, and consult the frequently asked questions to deepen your understanding. With diligent effort, you can overcome the challenges of discord and achieve grammatical harmony in all your written and spoken communication.