As a copy editor, one of the most important aspects of grammar that needs to be checked is subject-verb agreement. This is a crucial concept that can affect the clarity and professionalism of your writing. In this article, we will discuss the basics of subject-verb agreement and provide some tips on how to use it correctly.

What is Subject-Verb Agreement?

Subject-verb agreement simply means that the subject of a sentence should agree with the verb that comes after it. In other words, if the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb should be plural as well.

For example, consider the sentence “She walks to the park.” In this case, “she” is the singular subject, and the verb “walks” is also singular, agreeing with the subject. Now, if we change the subject to a plural noun such as “they,” the sentence would become “They walk to the park.” Here, the verb “walk” is now plural, matching the plural subject.

Tips for Correct Subject-Verb Agreement

1. Identify the subject and verb

The first step to ensuring correct subject-verb agreement is to identify the subject and verb in a sentence. The subject is the noun or pronoun that is performing the action, and the verb is the action itself.

2. Understand singular and plural nouns

It`s important to know the difference between singular and plural nouns. Singular nouns refer to one person, place, or thing, while plural nouns refer to multiple persons, places, or things.

3. Be mindful of compound subjects

A compound subject is a subject that includes two or more nouns or pronouns. When working with a compound subject, the verb should agree with the plurality of the entire subject.

4. Watch out for indefinite pronouns

Indefinite pronouns, such as “everyone” and “anybody,” are singular, even though they don`t refer to a specific person or thing. Therefore, the verb that follows should also be singular.

5. Check for inverted sentences

Inverted sentences are those that have the subject after the verb instead of before it. For example, “In the morning, runs the boy.” In this case, the subject is “the boy,” and the verb is “runs,” which is singular. So, this sentence should be revised to “In the morning, the boy runs.”

Subject-verb agreement is a foundational aspect of grammar, and it`s important to use it correctly to convey your message clearly to your audience. By following these tips, you can ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and professional.