English Subject-Verb Agreement: Mastering a Common Grammar Rule
Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental rule of English grammar. It refers to the relationship between the subject and the verb in a sentence. In simple words, the verb should agree with the subject in terms of number and person. For example, “she eats” is correct, while “she eat” is incorrect.
As a copy editor, it is your job to ensure that subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the text. In this article, we will cover the basics of English subject-verb agreement and provide tips to help you master this essential grammar rule.
Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement
The subject of a sentence is the person, place, thing, or idea that the sentence is about. The verb is the action or state of being that the subject performs. The agreement between the subject and the verb is determined by the number and person of the subject.
Number agreement refers to whether the subject is singular or plural, and the verb should match accordingly. For example, “the cat runs” is correct, while “the cat run” is incorrect.
Person agreement refers to whether the subject is the first person (I, we), second person (you), or third person (he, she, it, they), and the verb should match accordingly. For example, “I am” is correct, while “I is” is incorrect.
Tips to Master Subject-Verb Agreement
1. Identify the Subject
Before you can determine the correct verb agreement, you must first identify the subject of the sentence. Look for the noun or pronoun that the sentence is about.
2. Determine the Number and Person of the Subject
Once you have identified the subject, determine if it is singular or plural and what person it is. This will help you select the correct verb form. For example, “the dogs bark” requires a plural verb since dogs is plural, and “she sings” requires a third-person singular verb since she is singular.
3. Beware of Tricky Nouns and Pronouns
Some nouns and pronouns can be tricky when it comes to subject-verb agreement. For example, collective nouns (e.g., team, group) can be singular or plural, depending on the context. Additionally, some indefinite pronouns (e.g., anyone, someone) are always singular, while others (e.g., both, few) are always plural.
4. Don’t Be Fooled by Prepositional Phrases
Prepositional phrases can sometimes make it difficult to identify the subject of a sentence, which can lead to incorrect verb agreement. Remember that the subject of a sentence is never in a prepositional phrase. For example, “in the garden, the flowers bloom” requires a singular verb since flowers are singular, not garden.
5. Read Aloud
Reading the text aloud can help you identify any subject-verb agreement errors. When you hear the sentence, you are more likely to notice if the verb doesn’t match the subject.
In Conclusion
Subject-verb agreement is a crucial grammar rule that can impact the clarity and correctness of your writing. As a copy editor, it is your responsibility to ensure that this rule is followed consistently throughout the text. By understanding the basics of subject-verb agreement and following the tips provided, you can master this essential grammar rule and produce error-free content.
