Subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of English grammar that ensures clarity and understanding in communication. It refers to the proper matching of the subject and verb in a sentence. The subject is the doer of the action, and the verb is the action itself. Maintaining agreement between them helps convey ideas effectively. Here, we`ll dive into 12 essential rules of subject-verb agreement to help you write and edit grammatically sound content optimized for SEO:
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 is a compound of two or more nouns connected by “and,” use a plural verb. For example, “The lion and the tiger fight for dominance.”
3. When the subject is a compound of two or more singular nouns joined by “or” or “nor,” use a singular verb. For example, “Either the cat or the dog barks at strangers.”
4. When the subject is a compound of singular and plural nouns connected by “or” or “nor,” make the verb agree with the closest noun. For example, “Neither the cats nor the dog is allowed on the couch.”
5. When the subject is a collective noun referring to a group acting together, use a singular or plural verb depending on the context. For example, “The jury agrees on the verdict,” and “The jury are in disagreement.”
6. When the subject is a noun phrase that follows “as well as,” “in addition to,” or “along with,” the verb agrees with the main noun. For example, “The writer, as well as the editor, is responsible for the final copy.”
7. When the subject is an indefinite pronoun like “everyone,” “someone,” or “anyone,” use a singular verb. For example, “Everyone is invited to the party.”
8. When the subject is a relative pronoun like “who,” “which,” or “that,” make the verb agree with the antecedent (the noun the pronoun refers to). For example, “The book that explains the concept is on the shelf.”
9. When the subject is a fraction or percentage, make the verb agree with the whole. For example, “Two-thirds of the cake has been eaten.”
10. When the subject is a singular noun that represents a group, use a plural verb. For example, “The team are practicing for the game.”
11. When the subject is an inverted sentence (when the verb comes before the subject), make the verb agree with the subject. For example, “In the garden are the flowers.”
12. When the subject is a plural noun that represents a singular unit, use a singular verb. For example, “The United States is a democratic country.”
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is crucial in effective communication and optimizing content for SEO. By following these 12 essential rules, you can ensure your writing is grammatically accurate and engaging for your readers.