As a copy editor, one of the most common errors I come across in writing is subject-verb agreement errors. Subject-verb agreement is essential in conveying a clear and concise message to the reader. A subject-verb agreement error occurs when the subject and verb in a sentence do not agree in number, meaning they do not match in either singular or plural form. In this article, we will discuss some of the most common subject-verb agreement errors and provide tips on how to avoid them.
1. Singular subjects and plural verbs
One of the most common subject-verb agreement errors is when a singular subject is paired with a plural verb or vice versa. For example, “The car in the garage need repairs” should be corrected to “The car in the garage needs repairs.” The subject “car” is singular, so the verb “needs” should also be singular.
To avoid this type of error, it is essential to identify the subject and verb in a sentence properly. Remember that a singular subject requires a singular verb and a plural subject requires a plural verb.
2. Indefinite pronouns
Another common subject-verb agreement error is with indefinite pronouns such as “everyone,” “someone,” and “anyone.” These pronouns are singular and require a singular verb. For example, “Everyone wants to come to the party” is correct, while “Everyone want to come to the party” is incorrect.
To avoid this type of error, remember that indefinite pronouns are always singular and require a singular verb.
3. Compound subjects
Compound subjects are two or more subjects that are connected by conjunctions such as “and,” “or,” and “nor.” When a compound subject is connected by “and,” it is considered plural, and it requires a plural verb. For example, “The dog and the cat play together” is correct, while “The dog and the cat plays together” is incorrect.
However, when a compound subject is connected by “or” or “nor,” the verb must agree with the subject closest to it. For example, “Either the dog or the cat needs to be fed” is correct, while “Either the dog or the cat need to be fed” is incorrect.
To avoid this type of error, be mindful of the subject closest to the verb when dealing with compound subjects.
4. Collective nouns
Collective nouns refer to a group of individuals or things. Examples include “team,” “family,” and “jury.” When a collective noun is used as a subject, it can be considered singular or plural depending on the context. For example, “The team is practicing for the game” is correct, while “The team are practicing for the game” is incorrect.
To avoid this type of error, pay attention to the context of the sentence and determine whether the collective noun should be considered singular or plural.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement errors can hinder the effectiveness of your writing. By being mindful of these common errors and following these tips, you can ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and grammatically correct. Remember to always identify the subject and verb in a sentence and match them in number, be aware of indefinite pronouns, compound subjects, and collective nouns. With these strategies, you`ll be able to avoid subject-verb agreement errors and improve the quality of your writing.