Common Errors with Subject Verb Agreement
As a copy editor, ensuring proper subject-verb agreement is one of the most vital skills. However, many writers often overlook this essential rule, leading to embarrassing and confusing sentences. Using proper subject-verb agreement makes your writing clear, effective, and grammatically correct. In this article, we will discuss common errors with subject-verb agreement so that you can avoid them in your writing.
One of the most common subject-verb agreement errors is when the subject and verb do not agree in number. For instance, when writing about a singular noun, the verb that follows should also be singular. Conversely, when writing about a plural noun, the verb should also be plural. For example, “The cat chases the mouse” and “The cats chase the mice” are both correct because the subject and verb agree in number.
Another common subject-verb agreement error is when a singular subject is mistaken for a plural, or vice versa. For instance, when writing about collective nouns such as “team,” “group,” or “class,” writers often make the mistake of treating them as plural. However, they are considered singular and should be followed by a singular verb. For example, “The team is playing” and “The group is discussing” are correct.
In addition, compound subjects joined by “and” can also be tricky. If the subjects are singular, the verb should be singular. Conversely, if the subjects are plural, the verb should be plural. For example, “John and Jane are going to the park” and “The cake and ice cream are delicious” are both correct.
Furthermore, when writing complex sentences, writers often lose track of the subject and verb, leading to subject-verb agreement errors. It`s essential to identify the subject and verb in each clause to ensure proper agreement. For instance, in the sentence, “The book that is on the shelf, which I borrowed from the library, is overdue,” the subject is “book,” and the verb is “is.”
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is a crucial component of good writing. By using the appropriate verb form to agree with the subject, you can ensure that your writing is clear and well-understood. Remember to check for common mistakes, such as number agreement errors, collective nouns, compound subjects, and complex sentences, to avoid errors. As a copy editor, always be vigilant and know the rules of subject-verb agreement to ensure error-free writing.
