As a copy editor with experience in search engine optimization (SEO), I have seen my fair share of writing that lacks proper subject-verb agreement. This grammatical error can harm a page`s search engine ranking if not corrected. In this article, we will review some basic rules and provide examples of subject-verb agreement to help you improve your writing.
Rule 1: The subject and verb must agree in number
The number of the subject (singular or plural) must match the number of the verb (singular or plural). Let`s look at some examples:
Example 1: The dog barks.
In this sentence, the subject is “dog,” which is singular, and the verb is “barks,” also singular. The subject and verb agree in number.
Example 2: The dogs bark.
In this sentence, the subject is “dogs,” which is plural, and the verb is “bark,” also plural. The subject and verb agree in number.
Rule 2: Compound subjects take a plural verb
When two or more subjects are joined by “and,” the verb should be plural. Here`s an example:
Example 3: John and Sarah swim in the pool.
In this sentence, “John and Sarah” are two subjects connected by the conjunction “and,” so the verb “swim” is plural to agree with the compound subject.
Rule 3: Singular subjects ending in -s take a singular verb
Some singular nouns ending in -s, such as “mathematics” and “news,” are always singular and require a singular verb. Here`s an example:
Example 4: The news is on at six.
In this sentence, “news” is the subject, and the singular verb “is” agrees with it.
Rule 4: Indefinite pronouns take a singular or plural verb depending on their meaning
Indefinite pronouns like “anyone,” “someone,” and “everyone” take a singular verb, while “both,” “few,” and “several” take a plural verb. Here`s an example:
Example 5: Someone is at the door.
In this sentence, “someone” is an indefinite pronoun that takes a singular verb.
Example 6: Both of my brothers are engineers.
In this sentence, “both” is an indefinite pronoun that takes a plural verb.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of writing that can impact search engine ranking. By following these basic rules and examples, you can improve your writing and avoid this common grammatical error. Remember, the subject and verb must always agree in number, and pay attention to compound subjects, singular subjects ending in -s, and indefinite pronouns when choosing a singular or plural verb. Happy writing!
