23 Apr, 2022
Identifying Subject-Verb Agreement Errors
Posted by: Hector Danilo Pompa Dominique In: Uncategorized
As a copy editor, one of the essential skills you need to master is the ability to identify subject-verb agreement errors. Subject-verb agreement refers to the correct matching of the subject and verb in a sentence. An agreement error occurs when the verb does not agree with the subject in number and person.
Subject-verb agreement errors can occur in different tenses, including past, present, and future tense. They can also occur in different forms, such as interrogative, declarative, and imperative. Correcting these errors is essential to ensure that sentences are grammatically correct and convey the intended meaning.
Here are some tips to help you identify subject-verb agreement errors:
1. Identify the subject and verb in the sentence
The first step to identifying subject-verb agreement errors is to identify the subject and verb in the sentence. The subject is the person, thing, or idea that the sentence is about. The verb is the action or state of being that the subject is performing or experiencing.
2. Determine the number and person of the subject
The number and person of the subject are important factors in subject-verb agreement. Singular subjects take singular verbs, while plural subjects take plural verbs. First, second, and third person subjects take verbs based on their respective subject pronouns.
3. Look for agreement errors
Once you have identified the subject and verb and determined their number and person, look for any agreement errors. Some common errors include:
– Using a singular verb with a plural subject (e.g., “The team are playing well.”)
– Using a plural verb with a singular subject (e.g., “The cat chases mice.”)
– Using an incorrect verb form (e.g., “He have a car.”)
4. Correct the errors
To correct agreement errors, you need to change the verb to match the number and person of the subject. For example:
– “The team is playing well.” (singular verb with singular subject)
– “The cats chase mice.” (plural verb with plural subject)
– “He has a car.” (correct verb form)
In conclusion, identifying subject-verb agreement errors is a crucial aspect of copy editing. By following these tips, you can accurately identify and correct these errors in any writing piece. Remember always to pay attention to the number and person of the subject and match the verb accordingly to ensure grammatically correct content.
