Subject-verb agreement is one of the most fundamental rules of English grammar. As a copy editor responsible for SEO, it is crucial to ensure that your content follows this rule to make it readable and understandable to your target audience. In this article, we will discuss the importance of subject-verb agreement and how to apply it correctly in your writing.
Subject-verb agreement refers to the agreement of the subject and the verb in a sentence. The subject is the noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that performs the action in a sentence, and the verb is the action word that shows the subject`s action or state of being. The subject and verb should agree in number and person.
For example, “The cat walks” is a simple sentence with subject-verb agreement because “cat” (singular) agrees with “walks” (singular). However, “The cats walks” is an incorrect sentence as “cats” (plural) does not agree with “walks” (singular).
To ensure subject-verb agreement in your writing, follow these guidelines:
1. Identify the subject: Determine the subject of the sentence and make sure it agrees with the verb in number and person.
2. Singular subjects require singular verbs: If the subject is singular, use a singular verb. For example, “The dog barks” or “She sings.”
3. Plural subjects require plural verbs: If the subject is plural, use a plural verb. For example, “The dogs bark” or “They sing.”
4. Be careful with collective nouns: Collective nouns, such as “team,” “family,” or “group,” can be singular or plural depending on the context. For example, “The team is in first place” (singular) or “The team are arguing” (plural).
5. Watch out for linking verbs: Linking verbs, such as “is,” “are,” or “was,” must agree with the subject in number and person. For example, “She is happy” or “They are happy.”
Subject-verb agreement is essential for clear and effective communication in writing. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your content is grammatically correct, easy to read, and optimized for SEO. Remember, good writing is not just about delivering your message, but also about making it easy for readers to understand and engage with your content.