Subject-verb agreement is a crucial aspect of the English language. Without it, sentences can become ambiguous and confusing. As a copy editor, it`s essential to have a strong grasp of subject-verb agreement to ensure that written texts communicate their intended meaning clearly. Fortunately, there are several easy subject-verb agreement tests you can use to ensure that your writing is grammatically correct.
The first subject-verb agreement test is to check that the verb agrees with the number of the subject. In English, the verb must agree with the number of the subject, meaning that if the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb should also be plural.
For example, “The cat sits on the mat,” is grammatically correct because “cat” is a singular subject, and “sits” is a singular verb. Similarly, “The cats sit on the mat,” is also grammatically correct because “cats” is a plural subject, and “sit” is a plural verb.
The second subject-verb agreement test is to check that the verb agrees with the person of the subject. In English, the verb must also agree with the person of the subject, meaning that if the subject is in the first person, the verb should also be in the first person, and if the subject is in the third person, the verb should also be in the third person.
For example, “I am happy,” is grammatically correct because “I” is a first-person subject, and “am” is a first-person verb. Similarly, “She is happy,” is also grammatically correct because “she” is a third-person subject, and “is” is a third-person verb.
The third and final subject-verb agreement test is to check that the verb agrees with the tense of the subject. In English, the verb must also agree with the tense of the subject, meaning that if the subject is in the present tense, the verb should also be in the present tense, and if the subject is in the past tense, the verb should also be in the past tense.
For example, “I eat breakfast every day,” is grammatically correct because “eat” is in the present tense, and “I” is also in the present tense. Similarly, “I ate breakfast this morning,” is also grammatically correct because “ate” is in the past tense, and “I” is also in the past tense.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is an essential aspect of the English language, and as a copy editor, it`s essential to have a strong grasp of it. By using these easy subject-verb agreement tests, you can ensure that your writing is grammatically correct, clear, and effective. Remember to check that the verb agrees with the number, person, and tense of the subject, and you`ll be well on your way to writing excellent copy.