As a copy editor with experience in SEO, it is imperative to understand the rules of subject-verb agreement. Subject-verb agreement refers to the fact that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number, meaning that if the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural. In this article, we will match each subject-verb agreement rule with an example of its use.
Rule 1: Singular subjects require singular verbs, and plural subjects require plural verbs.
Example:
– Singular subject: She runs every morning.
– Plural subject: They run every morning.
Rule 2: Compound subjects connected by “and” require plural verbs.
Example:
– Compound subject: Sarah and Maria are best friends.
Rule 3: Compound subjects connected by “or” or “nor” require a verb that agrees with the closest subject.
Example:
– Compound subject with “or”: Either the cat or the dogs are responsible for knocking over the vase.
– Compound subject with “nor”: Neither the teacher nor the students want to go on a field trip.
Rule 4: Indefinite pronouns, such as “everyone” or “someone,” require singular verbs.
Example:
– Indefinite pronoun: Everyone wants to be accepted.
Rule 5: Collective nouns require singular verbs when the group is acting as a whole.
Example:
– Collective noun: The team is playing well together.
Rule 6: Words such as “each,” “every,” and “either” require singular verbs.
Example:
– Word “each”: Each apple is ripe and juicy.
By following these simple rules, you can ensure that your writing and SEO efforts are professional and well-received. Incorrect subject-verb agreement can make your writing appear less credible and impact your search engine rankings. As a copy editor, we must be well-versed in these rules and able to spot and correct any mistakes.
