Grammatical Rules: Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-verb agreement is a crucial grammatical rule that helps in ensuring the clarity and comprehension of written and spoken language. It involves ensuring that the subject and verb in a sentence match in number and person. Improper subject-verb agreement can lead to confusion and misinterpretation, which can significantly affect the effectiveness of your writing. As a copy editor, you need to have a deep understanding of subject-verb agreement and how to ensure its accuracy in your work. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about subject-verb agreement.
Number Agreement
Number agreement relates to whether the subject and verb in a sentence are singular or plural. The rule states that a singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural verb. For example:
– The cat plays in the garden. (Singular subject: `cat,` singular verb: `plays`)
– The cats play in the garden. (Plural subject: `cats,` plural verb: `play`)
It is essential to identify the number of the subject correctly to ensure that you select the appropriate verb. When using pronouns, it is essential to distinguish between singular and plural forms, such as `he` and `they.`
Person Agreement
Person agreement relates to whether the subject and verb in a sentence are in the first, second, or third person. The rule states that the subject and the verb must agree in person. For example:
– I play basketball every evening. (First person subject: `I,` first person verb: `play`)
– You play basketball every evening. (Second person subject: `you,` second person verb: `play`)
– He plays basketball every evening. (Third person subject: `he,` third person verb: `plays`)
It is essential to identify the person of the subject correctly to ensure that you select the appropriate verb. This includes distinguishing between singular and plural forms, and providing correct verb forms for irregular verbs, such as `be,` `have,` and `do.`
Compound Subjects
A compound subject involves two or more subjects that share the same verb. When dealing with compound subjects, you need to ensure that the verb agrees with the number and person of the combined subjects. For example:
– The dog and the cat play in the garden. (Compound subject: `dog` and `cat,` plural verb: `play`)
– She and her brother are going on vacation. (Compound subject: `she` and `brother,` plural verb: `are going`)
Inverted Sentences
Inverted sentences occur when the verb comes before the subject. This is only possible in certain situations, such as questions, commands, or sentences that begin with a negative word. Inverted sentences can be tricky, but you still need to ensure that the verb agrees with the subject. For example:
– Have you seen my keys? (Inverted question: `you` is the subject, singular verb: `seen`)
– Never have I seen such a beautiful sunset. (Inverted sentence: `I` is the subject, singular verb: `seen`)
Conclusion
Subject-verb agreement is an essential grammatical rule that you need to understand and apply correctly in your writing. It involves ensuring that the subject and verb match in number and person, even in tricky situations like compound subjects and inverted sentences. As a copy editor, your role is to ensure that the written content is grammatically correct and effectively communicates the intended message. By following the rules of subject-verb agreement, you can help achieve this goal and produce high-quality written work.