What`s a Verb Agreement

03 Mar What`s a Verb Agreement

As a copy editor, one of the most common mistakes I come across is verb agreement errors. Verb agreement is an essential aspect of grammar, and it is something that every writer should understand. In this article, we will discuss what verb agreement is and why it is important.

What is Verb Agreement?

Verb agreement is when the verb in a sentence agrees with the subject in terms of number and person. In simpler terms, it means that the verb must match the noun or pronoun in the sentence that it is referring to.

For example, if the subject is singular, the verb should be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb should be plural.

Here is an example of a verb agreement error: “The team of students is going on a trip.” In this sentence, the subject is “team,” which is singular, but the verb “is going” is plural. The correct sentence would be “The team of students are going on a trip,” with the verb “are” agreeing with the plural subject “students.”

Why is Verb Agreement Important?

Verb agreement is crucial because it helps to ensure that sentences are clear and easy to understand. When verbs do not agree with their subjects, it can cause confusion and make the sentence more challenging to read.

Additionally, proper verb agreement is essential for maintaining a professional and credible tone in your writing. Errors in grammar can make it seem like the writer is not taking their work seriously or is not knowledgeable about the topic they are writing about.

Tips for Correct Verb Agreement

– Always identify the subject of your sentence before selecting the verb

– Remember that the verb must agree with the subject, even when there are intervening words or phrases between them

– Be aware of collective nouns, such as “team” or “group,” where the verb can be singular or plural, depending on the context

– Watch out for subjects that are singular in form but plural in meaning, such as “news” or “politics”

– Pay attention to indefinite pronouns, such as “everyone” or “anyone,” which are always singular and require a singular verb

In conclusion, verb agreement is an essential aspect of grammar that every writer must understand. By ensuring that your verbs agree with their subjects, you can create clear, concise, and professional sentences that are easy to read and understand.