Subject-Verb Agreement and Disagreement: A Guide to Writing Clear and Cohesive Copy
Writing clear, concise, and meaningful copy is crucial to establishing an effective online presence. One of the key elements of polished and well-written copy is subject-verb agreement, which refers to the proper match between the subject and the verb in a sentence. In this article, we’ll explore the basics of subject-verb agreement and how to avoid common pitfalls that can cause disagreement.
What is subject-verb agreement?
Subject-verb agreement is the grammatical principle that governs the correct pairing of a subject with its corresponding verb in a sentence. When a subject and verb do not agree in number, tense, or person, this results in disagreement which can lead to confusion and ambiguity for the reader.
For example, “The dog barks” is an example of subject-verb agreement because the singular subject (“dog”) matches up with the third-person singular present-tense verb (“barks”). In contrast, “The dogs bark” is another example of subject-verb agreement because the plural subject (“dogs”) matches up with the third-person plural present-tense verb (“bark”).
Why is subject-verb agreement important?
Subject-verb agreement is critical for creating clear and effective copy that is free of errors and easy to understand. Disagreement between the subject and verb can cause confusion and make it difficult for the reader to follow the intended meaning of the sentence. Moreover, when your copy is rife with errors, it can detract from your credibility as a writer and undermine the authority of your brand.
Tips for achieving subject-verb agreement
Here are some tips to bear in mind when striving for subject-verb agreement:
1. Always keep the subject in mind: The subject of a sentence determines the verb form that should be used. So, always identify the subject before choosing the verb.
2. Watch out for compound subjects: If your sentence has a compound subject (i.e., two or more subjects), remember to use a plural verb.
3. Be mindful of indefinite pronouns: Indefinite pronouns, such as ‘everyone,’ ‘nobody,’ ‘someone,’ and ‘everybody,’ can be tricky to use with the correct verb form. Follow the pronoun with a singular verb.
4. Check the tense: The tense of the verb should match the tense of the subject. For example, a past-tense subject requires a past-tense verb, and a future-tense subject needs a future-tense verb.
Disagreement in subject-verb agreement
One of the most common errors writers make is to use a singular verb with a plural subject, or vice versa. Here are some examples of subject-verb disagreement:
Incorrect: The team are playing well.
Correct: The team is playing well.
Incorrect: The girls were studying all night.
Correct: The girls were studying all night.
Incorrect: The child with the red balloon was running through the park.
Correct: The child with the red balloon was running through the park.
Conclusion
Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental element of effective writing that can make or break the clarity and meaning of your content. It is important to be aware of the basic rules of subject-verb agreement and to use the correct verb form that matches your subject. By following these tips and taking the time to check your work, you can ensure that your copy is clear, accurate, and impactful.