As a copy editor, one of the most important aspects of my job is ensuring proper subject-verb agreement. This is not only essential for clear and concise communication but is also important for search engine optimization (SEO) purposes. As search engines become increasingly sophisticated, they can detect grammatical errors and penalize websites for poor grammar. Therefore, it is crucial to follow general rules in subject-verb agreement to maintain high-quality content.
Subject-verb agreement refers to the agreement between the subject and the verb in a sentence. The basic rule is that a singular subject requires a singular verb, while a plural subject requires a plural verb. However, there are a few general rules that can help you avoid common mistakes and ensure proper subject-verb agreement.
Rule #1: Singular subjects take singular verbs
Example: She runs every morning.
In this sentence, the subject «she» is singular, so the verb «runs» is also singular. If the subject was plural, the verb would change to «run.»
Rule #2: Plural subjects take plural verbs
Example: They love to travel.
In this sentence, the subject «they» is plural, so the verb «love» is also plural. If the subject was singular, the verb would change to «loves.»
Rule #3: Compound subjects take plural verbs
Example: The dog and the cat play together.
In this sentence, the compound subject «the dog and the cat» is plural, so the verb «play» is also plural.
Rule #4: Singular subjects joined by «or» or «nor» take a singular verb if the subject closest to the verb is singular.
Example: Neither the cat nor the dog likes pizza.
In this sentence, the subject closest to the verb «likes» is «dog,» which is singular, so the verb is also singular.
Rule #5: Use a plural verb if the subjects joined by «or» or «nor» are both plural.
Example: Neither the dogs nor the cats like pizza.
In this sentence, both subjects joined by «nor» are plural, so the verb «like» is also plural.
Rule #6: Use a singular verb if the phrase «a number of» precedes a plural subject.
Example: A number of people is coming to the party.
In this sentence, even though «people» is plural, the phrase «a number of» makes the subject singular, so the verb «is» is also singular.
Following these general rules in subject-verb agreement can help you produce high-quality content that is both grammatically correct and optimized for search engines. By paying attention to these rules, you can ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and effective.