As a copy editor, one of the most common errors I see in writing is improper verb agreement. Not only does it compromise the clarity and effectiveness of the writing, but it can also negatively impact search engine optimization (SEO). In this article, we will discuss verb agreement and provide an exercise to help improve your writing skills.
Verb agreement refers to the relationship between the subject and the verb in a sentence. Simply put, the verb must agree with the subject in terms of number and person. For example, if the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.
For instance, “She walks to the store” is correct because the subject (“she”) is singular and the verb (“walks”) is singular. However, “She walk to the store” is incorrect because the verb is in the wrong form – it should be “walks” to match the singular subject.
Here`s the same example using a plural subject: “They walk to the store.” In this case, the subject (“they”) is plural, so the verb (“walk”) must also be plural.
While this may seem like a simple concept, mistakes in verb agreement can be easy to make, particularly when the subject is compound or when the sentence is complex. To help you improve your writing skills and avoid these errors, here is an exercise to practice verb agreement:
Exercise: In the sentences below, identify the subject and verb, and determine whether they agree in number and person. If they do not agree, correct the verb.
1. The dog and the cat (was/were) playing in the backyard.
2. Each of the students (was/were) given a homework assignment.
3. All of the books on the shelf (belongs/belong) to me.
4. The committee (has/have) not made a decision yet.
5. Either the pizza or the salad (is/are) fine with me.
Answers:
1. The dog and the cat were playing in the backyard.
2. Each of the students was given a homework assignment.
3. All of the books on the shelf belong to me.
4. The committee has not made a decision yet.
5. Either the pizza or the salad is fine with me.
By practicing verb agreement, you can improve the clarity and effectiveness of your writing while also improving your SEO. Remember to always double check your writing, and if you`re unsure, don`t hesitate to look up the correct form of the verb. Happy writing!
