Grammar mistakes can be a nightmare for any writer, and they can negatively impact your website`s search engine ranking. One of the most basic aspects of grammar is subject-verb agreement, and mastering it can go a long way in improving the quality of your content and boosting your website`s visibility.
Subject-verb agreement refers to the match between the subject of a sentence and the verb that accompanies it. In simple terms, the verb must agree with the person and number of the subject. For example, if the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb should be plural too.
Here are some tips to ensure correct subject-verb agreement in your writing:
1. Identify the subject: The first step in ensuring subject-verb agreement is to identify the subject of your sentence. The subject can be a noun, pronoun, or a noun phrase.
2. Determine the number: Once you have identified the subject, determine if it is singular or plural. If the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular, and if it is plural, the verb should be plural.
3. Watch out for tricky subjects: Some subjects can be tricky, and it`s important to pay attention to them. For example, collective nouns like « team » or « group » can be singular or plural depending on the context. Additionally, « either/or » and « neither/nor » constructions can be confusing, with the verb agreeing with the closest noun.
4. Use the correct verb tense: In addition to number agreement, the verb tense should also match the subject. For example, if the subject is in the present tense, the verb should also be in the present tense.
Here`s an example of subject-verb agreement in action:
Incorrect: The dogs in the park is playing.
Correct: The dogs in the park are playing.
In this example, « dogs » is a plural subject, and « are » is the correct plural verb form.
In summary, mastering subject-verb agreement is crucial to effective writing and can significantly improve your website`s search engine ranking. Remember to always identify the subject, determine its number, watch out for tricky subjects, and use the correct verb tense to ensure correct agreement. Happy writing!