Subject verb disagreement is a common grammatical error that can affect the clarity and precision of your writing. This error occurs when the subject and verb of a sentence do not agree in number. For instance, if the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb should be plural as well. In this article, we will explore what subject verb disagreements are and how to avoid them in your writing.
What are Subject Verb Disagreements?
Subject verb disagreement occurs when the subject and verb of a sentence do not match in number. This often happens when the writer or speaker fails to identify the number of the subject correctly before choosing the verb that agrees with it. An example of subject verb disagreement is as follows:
Incorrect: The group of students in the classroom is studying for their exams.
Correct: The group of students in the classroom is studying for its exams.
In the example above, the subject “group” is singular, so the verb “is studying” should also be singular. However, the possessive pronoun “their” is used instead of “its,” which is incorrect since it refers to a singular noun.
How to Avoid Subject Verb Disagreements?
To avoid subject verb disagreements, you need to identify the number of the subject before choosing the verb that agrees with it. Here are some rules to keep in mind:
– Singular subjects take singular verbs while plural subjects take plural verbs.
– Collective nouns like “team,” “family,” and “group” can be either singular or plural depending on the context. If the members of the group act as a unit, then the noun is singular, and the verb should also be singular. If the members act independently, then the noun is plural, and the verb should be plural.
– Compound subjects joined by “and” are plural and take plural verbs. However, if the compound subject is seen as a single unit, then the verb is singular.
– Singular subjects joined by “or” or “nor” take a singular verb, while plural subjects take plural verbs.
– Indefinite pronouns like “someone,” “everybody,” and “anyone” are singular and take singular verbs.
In Conclusion
Subject verb disagreement is a common mistake that can undermine the quality of your writing. As a copy editor, it is essential to be vigilant and correct any instances of subject verb disagreement you come across. By following the rules outlined in this article, you can ensure that your writing is free from this grammatical error and communicates your ideas more accurately and effectively.