As a copy editor, it is essential to have a sound understanding of grammar rules, particularly verb agreement with one or more. This fundamental concept is often overlooked by writers and editors alike, leading to a loss in clarity and credibility of the written content.
The subject-verb agreement refers to the agreement between the subject and the verb in a sentence. The subject is the person or thing performing the action, while the verb is the action itself. The way verbs are conjugated depends on the subject of the sentence and the number of subjects. Here is a quick refresher on verb agreement with one or more:
When a sentence has one subject, the verb must agree with it in both number and person. For example, “The dog barks” or “He writes emails.”
However, when there are multiple subjects in a sentence, there are different rules for verb agreement. When the subjects perform the same action, joined by “and,” the verb should be plural. For example, “The dog and the cat play” or “He and she write emails.”
On the other hand, when the subjects perform different actions, joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb should agree with the closest subject in number. For example, “Neither the dog nor the cat likes to swim” or “Either he or she writes emails.”
It is important to note that sometimes, it isn`t always clear at first glance what the subject of the sentence is. Therefore, it is crucial to look out for the subject and determine whether it is singular or plural. Subject-verb agreement errors can be subtle and easy to miss, but they can significantly impact the meaning of the sentence.
In addition, it is vital to consider the tone and style of the content. For example, formal writing typically requires stricter adherence to grammar rules, while casual writing may allow for flexibility.
In conclusion, verb agreement with one or more is a crucial aspect of grammatical correctness that copy editors need to understand fully. It is a fundamental rule that ensures clarity, credibility, and coherence of written content. As a copy editor, attention to detail is essential, and a solid understanding of subject-verb agreement is a must-have.
