The last word

But up to this day the controversy concerning the correct use of the verb “find” in our National Anthem continues to exist.

Many eminent and distinguished exponents of the English Language and our local grammarians have all expressed their concern but so far it is still undecided as to which is the correct verb “find” as exists in our Anthem or “finds” as expressed by some others. The composer of the National Anthem was fully aware of the grammatical correctness of the verb “find.”

So far no one has produced any authority to justify the use of “find” or “finds.” Professor E E Denny and P Lyddon Roberts in their book entitled Common Errors in Language page 8 unambiguously state:-

“When there are several nominatives connected by ‘and’ the verb is singular if ‘each’ or ‘every’ is attached to each of them, thus:-

(1) Each boy and each girl was presented with a toy. (not ‘were’)

(2) Every box and every draw was emptied. (not ‘were’)

But if the word ‘each’ and ‘every’ is not repeated before each Nominative, the verb is generally put in the plural, thus:-

(1) Each boy and girl were presented with a toy.

(2) Every box and draw were emptied.”

According to the above then, “Every creed and race find an equal place,” is grammatically correct. In the absence of any other authority on the correctness of the verb “find”, “find” should be declared once and for all the correct verb. Happy 45th Independence Anniversary.

FAIZUL KHAN

Charlieville