As a copy editor, one of the most important aspects of writing well is understanding agreement verb form. This refers to the proper matching of a subject and verb in a sentence. When the subject is singular, the verb must be singular as well, and when the subject is plural, the verb must be plural. This may seem like a simple concept, but it can be easy to make mistakes when writing quickly or without paying close attention.
The most common mistake that people make with agreement verb form involves subject-verb disagreement. This occurs when the verb does not match the subject in number or person. For example, if a writer is discussing a group of people and says, “They was all there,” this is incorrect because “was” is a singular verb, while “they” is a plural subject.
To avoid these mistakes, it is essential to pay close attention to the subject of the sentence and ensure that the verb matches it. This includes checking for collective nouns, which are nouns that refer to a group of individuals, such as “team,” “committee,” or “family.” When using these types of nouns, it is essential to determine whether they function as a singular or plural subject and select the appropriate verb form.
It is also important to note that some words may sound like they are plural, but they are actually singular and require a singular verb. For example, words like “news,” “mathematics,” and “politics” are all singular, despite sounding like they refer to multiple things. Therefore, it is appropriate to say “the news is” or “politics affects,” rather than “the news are” or “politics affect.”
In addition to being grammatically correct, using the proper agreement verb form is essential for search engine optimization (SEO) purposes. Google`s algorithm prioritizes content that is well-written and free of errors, including those related to subject-verb agreement. Therefore, writers who incorporate proper agreement verb form into their work are more likely to rank higher in search engine results.
In conclusion, agreement verb form is an essential component of writing well and ensuring that your content is optimized for SEO. By paying close attention to the subject of the sentence and selecting the appropriate verb form, writers can avoid common mistakes and improve the readability and relevance of their content.