Subject-verb agreement is one of the most important aspects of writing clear and effective sentences. It refers to the agreement or match between the subject and the verb of a sentence. When these two elements don`t agree, it results in an error that can make your writing confusing and difficult to understand.
Subject-verb agreement errors can occur in different forms. For instance, some sentences may have singular subjects but plural verbs, while others may have plural subjects but singular verbs. In some cases, the error may also arise when the subject and verb are separated by a long phrase or clause, making it difficult to identify the correct agreement.
As a professional, it is essential to correct subject-verb agreement errors as they can harm the visibility and ranking of a website. Search engines such as Google have algorithms that scan for errors in writing, including subject-verb agreement errors. When the content is not well-written, Google considers it a low-quality content, making it less likely to appear in search results.
To avoid this, here are some tips on how to correct subject-verb agreement errors in your writing:
1. Identify the subject and verb: The first step in correcting subject-verb errors is to identify the subject and verb in the sentence. The subject is the noun or pronoun that performs the action, while the verb is the action or state of being.
2. Determine the number: Determine whether the subject is singular or plural, and ensure that the verb agrees with the subject in number.
3. Watch out for tricky subjects: Some nouns that might look plural but are actually singular, such as “news,” “mathematics,” and “politics.” These words require singular verbs.
4. Ignore phrases in between: When there is a long phrase or clause between the subject and verb, it can make it difficult to identify the correct agreement. Ignore these phrases and focus on the subject and verb only.
5. Proofread: Always proofread your writing to identify and correct any subject-verb agreement errors. Use spell checkers or grammar checking tools to help you catch the errors.
In conclusion, subject-verb agreement errors can have a significant impact on the readability and effectiveness of your writing. As a professional, it is crucial to correct these errors to ensure that your content is high-quality and optimized for search engines. By following these simple tips, you can avoid subject-verb agreement errors and produce clear, effective writing.