As a copy editor, it is essential to have a strong understanding of subject-verb agreement rules. These rules govern the proper agreement between the subject and verb of a sentence, which ensures clarity and coherence in writing. In this article, we will discuss the 11 subject-verb agreement rules that every writer should know.
1. Singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs. For example, “The cat purrs” and “The cats purr.”
2. When the subject of a sentence is a collective noun, the verb can be singular or plural, depending on the context. For example, “The team is playing well” and “The team are preparing for the game.”
3. Compound subjects joined by “and” take a plural verb, while those joined by “or” or “nor” take a singular verb. For example, “Tom and Jerry are friends” and “Neither Tom nor Jerry is hungry.”
4. When the subject is a singular noun or pronoun and is connected by “or” or “nor” to another noun or pronoun, the verb agrees with the closer subject. For example, “Either the cat or the dog is barking.”
5. Indefinite pronouns, such as each, everyone, anybody, and nobody, always take a singular verb. For example, “Everybody loves ice cream.”
6. Titles of books, films, and other works of art take singular verbs. For example, “The Great Gatsby is a classic novel.”
7. Words like “with,” “along with,” and “together with” do not change the number of the subject, so the verb agrees with the subject. For example, “The dog, along with its puppies, is sleeping.”
8. When the subject of a sentence is a fraction or a percentage, the verb agrees with the object of the preposition. For example, “One-fourth of the pizza is left.”
9. The expression “a number of” always takes a plural verb. For example, “A number of people are attending the concert.”
10. The expression “the number of” takes a singular verb. For example, “The number of students in the class is increasing.”
11. When the subject is a singular noun that represents a group of people, such as “team,” “committee,” or “family,” it can take a singular or plural verb, depending on the context. For example, “The family is happy” and “The family are arguing.”
In conclusion, understanding subject-verb agreement rules is crucial for clear and effective writing. By following these 11 rules, you can ensure that your sentences are grammatically correct and convey your intended meaning. As a copy editor, it is your responsibility to check for subject-verb agreement errors and correct them to improve the overall quality of the text.
