Subject-verb agreement is one of the essential aspects of English grammar that every writer and editor should be familiar with. It is the practice of matching the subject of a sentence with its corresponding verb in terms of tense and number. This ensures that the sentence is grammatically correct and conveys the intended message accurately.
In simple terms, subject-verb agreement means that a singular subject requires a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb. For example, “He runs” is correct (singular subject and verb), while “He run” is incorrect (mismatched subject and verb). Similarly, “They run” is correct (plural subject and verb), while “They runs” is incorrect.
However, subject-verb agreement can become more complex when dealing with compound subjects, collective nouns, and indefinite pronouns.
Compounds subjects are two or more subjects that are joined by conjunctions, such as “and” or “or.” In this case, the verb should agree with the subject closest to it. For instance, “John and Sarah are playing” and “John or Sarah is playing” are both correct.
Collective nouns refer to a single group or entity. Examples include “team,” “family,” or “committee.” When using collective nouns, the verb can either match the group as a single entity (singular) or its individual members (plural). For example, “The committee is meeting” (singular) or “The committee are discussing their opinions” (plural).
Indefinite pronouns refer to non-specific people or things such as “everyone,” “someone,” or “anything.” These pronouns are usually singular, and as such, require a singular verb. For instance, “Everyone is invited,” not “Everyone are invited.”
In conclusion, the practice of subject-verb agreement is crucial for effective communication in English writing. Proper application of this rule ensures that sentences are grammatically sound and clear, thus allowing the reader to understand the intended message. As an SEO copy editor, mastery of subject-verb agreement will not only improve your content`s readability but also enhance its search engine rankings.