As a copy editor, one of the essential skills you need is the ability to identify subject-verb agreement in a sentence. Subject-verb agreement refers to the matching of the subject of a sentence with the appropriate form of the verb – singular or plural. When the subject and verb are not in agreement, it can lead to confusion, unclear meaning, and errors in communication. In this article, we will look at which word groups contain a subject and a verb in agreement.
A subject is the main noun or pronoun that a sentence is about, and the verb is the action or state of being that the subject performs. For example, in the sentence “The cat chased the mouse,” the subject is the cat, and the verb is chased.
To determine whether the subject and verb are in agreement, you need to identify the number of the subject. If the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural.
Here are some word groups that contain a subject and a verb in agreement:
1. Singular subject and verb
– The boy runs.
– The flower blooms.
– The car drives.
2. Plural subject and verb
– The boys run.
– The flowers bloom.
– The cars drive.
3. Singular subject with a singular verb contraction
– He`s happy.
– She`s running.
– It`s raining.
4. Plural subject with a plural verb contraction
– They`re playing.
– We`re eating.
– You`re dancing.
It is also essential to note that some sentences may have compound subjects, which are two or more subjects that share the same verb. In such cases, ensure that the verb matches the number of the compound subject. Here is an example:
– Jane and John run in the park.
In the above sentence, Jane and John are the compound subject, and run is the verb that agrees with the plural subject.
In conclusion, identifying subject-verb agreement is crucial in effective communication. Knowing which word groups contain a subject and a verb in agreement is the first step in ensuring that your writing is clear and concise. Keep practicing and honing your editing skills, and your writing will stand out for its clarity and coherence.