Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of the English language that cannot be ignored. It involves ensuring that the subject of a sentence agrees with its corresponding verb in number. This may seem straightforward, but it can be tricky, especially when dealing with complex sentences. In this article, we will take a closer look at subject-verb agreement, specifically focusing on paragraphs.
Paragraphs are essential parts of any written work, and they play a crucial role in conveying ideas, facts, and opinions. As a copy editor, it is important to ensure that paragraphs in your work have proper subject-verb agreement. Here are some guidelines on how to achieve this.
1. Identify the subject of each sentence
The first step in ensuring subject-verb agreement in paragraphs is to identify the subject of each sentence. The subject is the focus of the sentence, and it can either be singular or plural. Once you have identified the subject, you can then choose the corresponding verb that matches the subject`s number.
For example, in the sentence “The cat meows,” the subject is “cat” (singular), and the corresponding verb is “meows” (also singular). In contrast, the sentence “The cats meow” has a plural subject (“cats”), and the corresponding verb is “meow” (plural).
2. Be careful with compound subjects
Compound subjects are when two or more subjects are joined by a conjunction (such as “and” or “or”). In this case, the verb must agree with the number of the subjects.
For example, in the sentence “Tom and Jerry are friends,” “Tom and Jerry” form a compound subject (plural), and the corresponding verb is “are” (also plural).
3. Watch out for tricky sentences
Sometimes, sentences can be tricky and misleading, making it difficult to determine the subject and verb agreement. For example, in the sentence “The collection of books is on the shelf,” the subject seems to be “collection” (singular), but the verb is “is” (also singular). This is because “collection” is a collective noun that can be either singular or plural, depending on the context. In this case, it refers to a singular entity, hence the singular verb.
4. Be consistent
Consistency is key when it comes to subject-verb agreement in paragraphs. Make sure that the subject and verb agreement is consistent throughout the paragraph. If you start with a singular subject, then use a singular verb throughout the paragraph.
Conclusion
Subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of writing, and it becomes even more important when dealing with paragraphs. By identifying the subject of each sentence, being careful with compound subjects, watching out for tricky sentences, and maintaining consistency, you can ensure proper subject-verb agreement in your paragraphs. As a professional, paying attention to subject-verb agreement can improve your content`s readability and make it more appealing to both readers and search engines.