Agreement of the Verb with Its Subject: A Guide to Writing Error-Free Articles

As a writer or content creator, it`s essential to have a solid understanding of grammar rules to produce high-quality articles that are readable and engaging to your audience. One common mistake that writers make is the incorrect agreement of the verb with its subject. This mistake can undermine the credibility of your writing, so it`s important to master this concept. In this article, we`ll explain what subject-verb agreement is, why it`s important, and provide tips on how to avoid mistakes.

What is Subject-Verb Agreement?

Subject-verb agreement refers to the matching of subjects and verbs in a sentence. The subject is the person, place, thing, or idea that the sentence is about, while the verb is the action or state of being that the subject is doing. The verb must agree with the subject in number and person. This means that if the subject is singular, the verb must be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.

For example:

– The cat sits on the table. (singular subject and verb)

– The cats sit on the table. (plural subject and verb)

Why is Subject-Verb Agreement Important?

Subject-verb agreement is important because it helps to ensure clarity and coherence in writing. When the verb agrees with the subject, it makes the sentence sound natural and easy to understand. When there`s a lack of agreement between the subject and verb, it can cause confusion for the reader and result in an awkward or incorrect sentence.

Tips to Avoid Mistakes in Subject-Verb Agreement

Here are some tips to help you avoid mistakes in subject-verb agreement:

1. Identify the subject:

Before you start writing, identify the subject of the sentence. This will help you determine whether the verb needs to be singular or plural.

2. Watch out for tricky subjects:

Some subjects can be tricky, such as collective nouns (e.g., team, committee) or indefinite pronouns (e.g., everyone, someone). For instance, the sentence “The team is playing well” uses a singular verb even though the subject “team” is a collective noun.

3. Be aware of compound subjects:

Compound subjects contain two or more subjects joined by a coordinating conjunction (e.g., and, or). In this case, the verb should be plural.

4. Check for subject-verb agreement in complex sentences:

In complex sentences, it can be easy to lose track of the subject and verb. Make sure to identify the subject and verb before adding any additional clauses.

5. Use your ear:

Sometimes, it can be helpful to read your sentence out loud to see if it sounds correct. Your ear can often detect when there`s a lack of agreement between the subject and verb.

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is an essential grammar rule that all writers and editors should understand. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can avoid common mistakes and produce error-free articles that are professional and easy to read. As a result, your writing will be more effective and will resonate with your audience.