Subject-verb disagreement is a common grammatical error that can impact the clarity and effectiveness of your writing. It occurs when the subject of a sentence and the verb do not agree in number, either as singular or plural. In this article, we will explore a story that highlights the importance of subject-verb agreement and how to avoid this common mistake.
Once upon a time, there were two friends named Rachel and Sarah. They both loved to write and were working on a project together. One day, Rachel looked at Sarah’s work and noticed a subject-verb disagreement. Sarah had written, “The dogs is barking loudly outside.” Rachel quickly pointed out the error and explained that the subject, “dogs,” is plural, so it needed a plural verb, “are.”
This simple mistake may seem insignificant, but it can affect the readability of your writing and distract readers from your message. It can also impact your credibility, as it suggests a lack of attention to detail and professionalism. To avoid subject-verb disagreement, it is important to identify the subject of your sentence and ensure that the verb matches its number.
Here are some tips to help you avoid subject-verb disagreement:
1. Identify the subject of your sentence: Before you write your sentence, identify the subject and determine if it is singular or plural.
2. Match the verb to the subject: Once you have identified the subject, choose a verb that matches its number. Use singular verbs for singular subjects and plural verbs for plural subjects.
3. Be careful with compound subjects: If you have a compound subject, make sure the verb matches the number of both subjects. For example, “Rachel and Sarah are writing a story” uses the plural verb “are” because there are two subjects.
4. Watch out for intervening phrases: Sometimes, a phrase between the subject and verb can make it difficult to determine the number of the subject. Make sure to identify the subject and its number before choosing the verb.
In conclusion, subject-verb disagreement is a common mistake that can easily be avoided with careful attention to detail. Remember to identify the subject of your sentence and choose a verb that matches its number. By following these tips, you can improve the clarity and effectiveness of your writing and avoid distracting your readers from your message.