As a copy editor, one of the most common errors I see in writing is a lack of subject-verb agreement. This is a mistake that can happen to even the best writers, but it can be detrimental to the effectiveness of your writing.

Subject-verb agreement is when the subject of a sentence and the verb that follows it match in number. For instance, if the subject is singular, the verb that follows it should also be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb that follows it should be plural.

Here are some examples of subject-verb agreement references:

Singular Subject:

– The cat is sleeping on the couch.

– The car drives smoothly on the road.

– The book has an interesting plot.

Plural Subject:

– The cats are sleeping on the couch.

– The cars drive smoothly on the road.

– The books have interesting plots.

It’s important to remember that subject-verb agreement extends beyond just the simple sentence structure. It also applies to phrases that modify the subject. For example:

– The group of students was studying hard.

– The collection of books is impressive.

In the above examples, even though “students” and “books” are plural, the verbs “was” and “is” are in agreement with the singular subject.

Another common error occurs when there is a compound subject. In these cases, the verb should agree with the subject closest to it. For example:

– The dog and cat chew on their toys.

– The coach and team celebrate their win.

In both cases, the plural subject closest to the verb determines the verb form.

Subject-verb agreement is an essential part of effective writing. Not only does it make your writing grammatically correct, but it also makes it easier to read and understand. A lack of agreement can confuse readers and make your writing less impactful.

As a copy editor, it’s my job to ensure that subject-verb agreement is correct in every piece of writing I work on. By following the guidelines above, you can improve your writing and avoid common errors that can damage your credibility.