As a copy editor, I understand the importance of proper subject verb agreement. This grammatical concept is crucial in effective communication as it ensures that the subject and verb in a sentence agree in number and tense. Subject verb agreement is essential in both written and spoken language, especially in the digital space, where search engine optimization (SEO) plays a significant role. Here are the 15 subject verb agreement rules that every writer, whether for blogs, websites, or social media, must understand.
1. The subject and verb must agree in number (singular or plural). For example, “The cat sleeps” (singular) and “The cats sleep” (plural).
2. A singular subject requires a singular verb, while a plural subject needs a plural verb. For instance, “She walks” (singular) and “They walk” (plural).
3. In sentences that begin with “there,” the verb must agree with the noun that follows the verb. For example, “There is a cat” and “There are cats.”
4. Collective nouns, such as team, group, or family, can be singular or plural, depending on the context. For instance, “The team is playing” (singular) and “The team are playing” (plural).
5. Compound subjects joined by “and” are plural and require a plural verb. For example, “John and Sarah play tennis.”
6. When compound subjects are joined by “or,” the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. For example, “Either John or Sarah plays tennis.”
7. When compound subjects are joined by “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. For example, “Neither John nor Sarah plays tennis.”
8. When one subject is singular and the other is plural, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. For example, “The cat and dogs are sleeping.”
9. Indefinite pronouns, such as someone, everyone, or anybody, are singular and require a singular verb. For instance, “Everyone wants to succeed.”
10. When “each,” “every,” or “either” is used, the verb must be singular. For example, “Each student has a book.”
11. When “none” means “not one,” the verb is singular. For example, “None of the students is here.”
12. When “none” means “not any,” the verb is plural. For example, “None of the students are here.”
13. When the subject is a fraction or a percentage, the verb agrees with the noun that follows the verb. For example, “Two-thirds of the students are present.”
14. When the subject is a singular noun that represents a group of people, the verb can be singular or plural, depending on the context. For example, “The jury agrees” (singular) and “The jury are arguing” (plural).
15. When the subject is a clause or a phrase, the verb agrees with the noun that follows the verb. For example, “To write is my passion” and “Writing essays are difficult for me.”
In conclusion, subject verb agreement is an essential concept that every writer must understand. These 15 rules will help you ensure that your writing is clear, effective, and optimized for search engines. By following these rules, you can communicate your message effectively and improve the readability of your content.