Subject Verb Agreement and Compound Subjects

Subject-verb agreement and compound subjects are two important concepts that are essential in writing error-free content. As a professional, I can tell you that proper subject-verb agreement is crucial for better search engine rankings and increased reader engagement.

What is subject-verb agreement?

Subject-verb agreement is the relationship between the subject and the verb in a sentence. The rule of agreement states that the subject and the verb must always agree in number. For instance, if the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural.

Example:

– The cat sleeps on the sofa. (Singular subject and verb)

– The cats sleep on the sofa. (Plural subject and verb)

What are compound subjects?

Compound subjects are formed when two or more subjects are joined together by coordinating conjunctions such as “and,” “or,” and “nor.” When a sentence has a compound subject, the rule of agreement still applies, and the verb must agree with the subject in number.

Example:

– John and Jane are coming to the party. (Compound plural subject and verb)

– The book or the pen is on the desk. (Compound singular subject and verb)

How to ensure subject-verb agreement with compound subjects:

1. Identify the subject: Look for the subject in the sentence. Determine whether it is a singular or plural subject.

2. Identify the verb: Identify the verb in the sentence and ensure that it agrees with the subject in number.

3. Identify the conjunction: If there is a conjunction connecting two or more subjects, ensure that the verb agrees with the subject that is closest to it.

4. Use plural verbs for subjects connected by “and”: When two or more subjects are joined by “and,” they form a compound plural subject, and the verb must also be plural.

5. Use singular verbs for subjects connected by “or” or “nor”: When two or more subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” they form a compound singular subject, and the verb must also be singular.

In conclusion, subject-verb agreement is crucial in writing error-free content that is optimized for SEO and reader engagement. Understanding the rules of subject-verb agreement and compound subjects can help you write better content that is grammatically correct and easily understandable. So, make sure to keep these rules in mind the next time you write content for your website or blog.