Subject-verb agreement is an important aspect of grammar that is often overlooked. Ensuring that the subject and verb of a sentence agree with one another is essential to clear and effective communication. This is particularly important in written content that is intended for online audiences, as search engine algorithms also consider proper grammar when determining the relevance and quality of content.
When attending to subject-verb agreement, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, the subject and verb must agree in terms of number. Singular subjects require singular verbs, while plural subjects require plural verbs. For example, “The dog barks” is correct, while “The dog bark” is not.
In addition to number, subject-verb agreement also depends on the person of the subject. First-person subjects (I, we) require first-person verbs (am, are), while third-person subjects (he, she, it, they) require third-person verbs (is, are). For example, “He is running” is correct, while “He are running” is not.
It`s also important to pay attention to subject-verb agreement when it comes to compound subjects and indefinite pronouns. When two or more subjects are connected by “and,” the verb should be plural. For example, “The cat and dog play together” is correct, while “The cat and dog plays together” is not. Indefinite pronouns, such as “everyone” and “anyone,” are always singular and require singular verbs. For example, “Everyone is welcome” is correct, while “Everyone are welcome” is not.
By paying attention to subject-verb agreement, it`s possible to ensure that written content is clear, effective, and optimized for search engines. Taking the time to attend to this important aspect of grammar can go a long way in improving the overall quality of your writing and making it more appealing to readers and search engines alike.
