Correct the Three Subject-Verb Disagreements
As a copy editor, one of the most common errors I come across is subject-verb disagreement. This grammatical mistake occurs when the subject and verb in a sentence do not agree in number, which can result in confusing and unclear writing. In order to ensure that your writing is clear and concise, it is essential to correct these errors.
There are three common types of subject-verb disagreement that writers should be aware of:
1. Singular subject with a plural verb – This occurs when a singular subject is incorrectly paired with a plural verb. For example, “The dog and cats loves to play” should read as “The dog and cats love to play.”
2. Plural subject with a singular verb – This error happens when a plural subject is inaccurately paired with a singular verb. For instance, “The boys in the class is studying hard” should be corrected to “The boys in the class are studying hard.”
3. Agreement with intervening phrases – This type of disagreement occurs when the verb does not agree with the subject due to intervening phrases. For example, “The book, along with other items, is on the shelf” should be revised to “The book, along with other items, are on the shelf.”
Fortunately, correcting these errors is relatively straightforward. The basic rule to follow is that singular subjects require singular verbs, and plural subjects require plural verbs.
To avoid these mistakes, it is important to identify the subject of the sentence and ensure that the verb agrees in number. Additionally, it is helpful to double-check for any intervening phrases that may alter the subject-verb agreement.
In conclusion, subject-verb disagreement is a common grammatical error that can detract from the clarity and effectiveness of your writing. By correcting these errors and following basic grammatical rules, you can ensure that your writing is clear and concise, and effectively communicates your intended message.
