Subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of proper sentence structure. When the subject and verb of a sentence agree in number, the sentence is grammatically correct. In most cases, this means that a singular subject requires a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb. Ensuring that subject-verb agreement is correct is a fundamental task for copy editors, so here are some tips on how to check for subject-verb agreement:
1. Identify the subject and verb in the sentence
The first step in ensuring proper subject-verb agreement is to identify the subject and verb in the sentence. The subject is typically the noun or pronoun that performs the action in the sentence, while the verb is the action word. For example, in the sentence “The dog barks loudly,” “dog” is the subject, and “barks” is the verb.
2. Determine the number of the subject
After identifying the subject, determine whether it is singular or plural. A singular subject refers to just one person, thing, or idea, while a plural subject refers to two or more people, things, or ideas. For instance, in the sentence “The dogs bark loudly,” “dogs” is the plural subject.
3. Ensure the verb agrees in number with the subject
Once you have identified the subject`s number, ensure that the verb agrees with it. If the subject is singular, the verb must be in the singular form too. On the other hand, if the subject is plural, the verb must be in the plural form. For example, the sentence “The dog barks loudly,” is correct because the singular subject “dog” agrees with the singular verb “barks.” Meanwhile, the sentence “The dogs bark loudly,” is also correct because the plural subject “dogs” agrees with the plural verb “bark.”
4. Consider tricky cases
Some sentences may have subject-verb agreement issues that are more challenging to identify. For instance, sentences with compound subjects joined by “and” usually take plural verbs. For example, “Mary and John play tennis every weekend.” However, when the compound subject is joined by “or,” the verb should agree with the subject closer to it. For example, “Either the book or the pencils are on the table.”
In conclusion, checking for subject-verb agreement is essential for producing grammatically correct content. By following the tips outlined above, copy editors can ensure that writers convey their intended message effectively. Remember, always identify the subject and verb in the sentence, determine the number of the subject, and ensure the verb agrees with the subject`s number.